By Elana Warsen
MIO – ‘This is what I live for,’ Rita Matte gushed as four pairs of little arms wrapped her in an embrace.
Matte has been volunteering in Judy Eurich’ kindergarten classroom at Mio-Ausable Elementary since her granddaughter was Eurich’ student four years ago.
‘I started when Shaina was in kindergarten, and I keep coming back because I like it more and more as time goes on,’ Matte said.
Matte teams up with the teacher and two other volunteers to help students grow and learn at a pace that is right for them. If students need extra help, a volunteer can work with them individually.
‘They are like little sponges,’ she said, of the progress the students make over the course of the school year. ‘In the fall they can’t hold a pencil. And this past Friday we had some kids move up to a first grade reading level!’
Volunteering is not all serious business, though. Matte said she gives children occasional treats, such as small erasers, just to brighten their day.
‘It’ fun to see smiles on their faces,’ she said.
In return for her service, Matte receives hugs, high fives, and appreciation when she least expects it.
‘I’ll be at Walmart and from out of nowhere I hear somebody say, ‘Hi Grandma Rita,” Matte said. ‘And it will be one of the original students I helped out with four years ago. It brings a smile to my heart.’
Matte, who works and volunteers at her church in Mio, has many ties with Mio-Ausable School. Her three daughters graduated from there, along with two grandsons. Her youngest grandchildren are just beginning their education.
‘The great thing about this being a K-12 school is that I get to watch the students I know go all the way through to graduation,’ she said.
Matte’ sister, Rainell Krueger, is a ‘foster grandma’ in Eurich’ classroom. A third volunteer, Crissy Mitchell, of Luzerne, is the mother of five-year-old Coby. Mitchell’ oldest son, now an adult, was also a student in Eurich’ class.
On a recent Friday all three volunteers were on duty, facilitating literacy workstations in Eurich’ room.
‘You’ve heard the expression ‘the wind beneath my wings,” Eurich said. ‘Well, these ladies are the wind beneath my wings. They are integral to student success.’
Matte agrees. ‘I think we make a pretty good team,’ she said.
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