It’s always a good time to go back to school

   Though I’m not one to propose more regulations, I’ve long thought that no one should be allowed to hold public office or write for a newspaper without having worked 
as a teacher.

   Those were the first words I ever wrote as a Gwinnett Daily Post columnist. Not that I think anyone actually ever listens to anything I say. But I must note that since I wrote those words in 1999, Gwinnett County Public Schools has instituted a new program called Principal for a Day. During National Education Week in November, the schools invite politicians and other influential people from the community to spend a day experiencing exactly what goes on in our schools.

   Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister served as Principal for a Day at Trickum Middle School As he visited classes and talked with students in this huge building, he was impressed with close sense of community. “The Principal, Mr. Calvin Watts, is a very well liked and appreciated person by all. Most students recognized and spoke smilingly to Mr. Watts as we moved around the classrooms,” said Bannister.

   Jim Hall, Director of Public Relations for the Gwinnett Gladiators shadowed Principal Joe Ahrens at Arcado Elementary School. “I admire the work these people do,” said Hall. “As a father of a first grader and a middle schooler, I can tell they work very hard.”

   And the Post’s own Judy Green spent the day at Gwinn Oaks, which she wrote about last Sunday.

   But you don’t have to be a county celeb to get involved and you don’t have to view school involvement as a once-a-year by-invitation-only event. There are lots of ways people from the community can get involved in their schools.

   Volunteer opportunities abound. Media centers in any school welcome volunteers to shelve books and assist students with their studies. Anyone fluent in another language, no matter what it is, could be of assistance at many schools for translating and helping ease the culture shock for newly arrived foreign students.

   Tutoring programs flourish in many different forms. At Louise Radloff Middle and Lilburn Middle schools, HOSTS – Helping One Student To Succeed – can always use more volunteers. All it takes is one hour a week to tutor students in all subjects. And this isn’t just for retirees, stay-at-home parents and the self-employed. Some Gwinnett businesses give their employees time off to help one student to succeed.

   And of course, I saved the best for last. Substitute teaching. There is always a demand for good subs.

   And here I’m speaking from 17 years of experience. Not only is subbing a fun way to make money, but it’s an opportunity to get beyond what you see and hear in the media and experience for yourself all the cool things happening in our schools. For more information visit www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

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