At Town and Country Elementary, a program called Seniors in Service is bringing generations together, giving teachers an extra set of hands and students another reason to smile.
Retirement doesn’t always mean slowing down. For Denise Bryant, it means heading back to elementary school.
At Town and Country Elementary School in Tampa, Bryant spends her time helping young students recognize letters, practice writing their names, and learn to count. She’s not a teacher, and she isn’t there to pick up a paycheck. She’s a volunteer who has spent the past four years making a difference in the classroom.
Bryant retired in 2020 and was looking for a way to stay active and involved in her community. After discovering Seniors in Service on Facebook, she decided to give it a try.
Four years later, she’s still showing up for the kids.
A Little Extra Help Goes a Long Way
Seniors in Service is a Tampa Bay nonprofit that connects older adults with opportunities to serve their communities. Through its Foster Grandparent Program, volunteers work alongside teachers, offering one-on-one support and helping students develop important academic skills.
At Town and Country Elementary, that assistance is making an impression.
“My teachers absolutely love the support that they get from the grandparents. So do the students,” said Principal Nicole Zamora.
Zamora says the volunteers offer something beyond extra classroom help. They develop special relationships with students, giving children another trusted adult to turn to for encouragement, guidance, and support.
The school currently has three foster grandparents volunteering in its classrooms, including two working with Head Start students and another helping fifth graders.
More Than Just ABCs
For Bryant, the biggest reward comes from watching children grow.
Students who begin the school year struggling to recognize letters can eventually learn to write their names, count, and carry those new skills into the next grade.
And the benefits aren’t limited to the children.
Sharhonda Axon, Foster Grandparent Coordinator for Hillsborough County with Seniors in Service, says volunteering can make a difference in the lives of older adults, too.
Some volunteers who previously spent much of their time at home have found renewed purpose, social connections, and improvements in their overall well-being through the program.
Axon says volunteers generally serve at least ten hours a week, and some have remained with the program for more than 20 years, building lasting relationships with teachers and schools.
Wanted: More Grandparents
There’s just one problem: schools want more volunteers than the program currently has available.
Zamora doesn’t hide her enthusiasm.
“I’ve been begging the director to give me more grandmas to have in my school because the more support that we can get for students the better,” she said.
Axon says the organization hopes to eventually place a foster grandparent in every school throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. But getting there will require more people willing to volunteer.
And there’s good news for anyone thinking about getting involved: you don’t need teaching experience.
“They don’t have to be a teacher or have to have the experience, just a willing heart,” Axon explained.
Teachers provide the curriculum, while volunteers bring their time, patience, and willingness to help children with reading, math, and other classroom activities.
For Bryant, the mission is simple.
“It’s all about the children though, at the end of the day. It’s all about making sure they have the things that they need to be able to succeed.”
Want to Volunteer?
Adults interested in learning more about the Foster Grandparent Program can visit Seniors in Service for program information and volunteer opportunities.
Sometimes the best thing you can bring to a classroom isn’t another textbook. It’s a little time, a little patience, and someone who cares.
