Carol Spurlock thinks we can learn a thing or two from kindergarteners.

“When the kids come in with all their new school supplies, and I see their enthusiasm and anticipation for school, I step back and realize the importance of being excited and should make us all as adults realize we should all want to be excited about life,” Spurlock said.

 

Spurlock has volunteered her time at the Troy Elementary School since 2009. She is part of a group of volunteers that helped Thursday morning run smoothly as kindergartners once again filled the halls. Volunteers welcomed each child and took them to their class, helped with sorting out nametags and assisted the teachers in any way they could.

“They were more than willing to jump in,” Kindergarten teacher Susan Davis said. “They helped us with getting children settled and were ready to be hands on.”

Spurlock said the first day was filled with “back to school” activities, like learning routines such as snack time.

“Volunteers are there to have someone personally welcome each child and make them at home and comfortable,” Spurlock said.

The kindergarten teachers at TES garnered high praise from Spurlock, who has a background teaching at the high school level. She said that they work as a close knit group and have a true talent for making children at ease in the classroom.

“You don’t realize how totally and completely how hard the work is with young children,” Spurlock said. “It’s opened my eyes alot about how much dedication and hard work it is. It’s amazing at how well it goes— it’s a testament to teachers.

Sharon Davis and Beth Wilson also volunteered Thursday morning. Davis, a retired educator, currently has six of her nine grandchildren in the Troy city school system.

“I love the interaction,” Davis said. “It’s important to give back to the community.”

The main thing Spurlock hopes a child leaves kindergarten with is a good experience.

“It’s so important to be able to look back and love it,” Spurlock said. “A child should have wonderful memories going forward.”