National Honor Society students at Harry S. Truman High School are currently in the process of completing their 20 hours of service work. Students are volunteering at a children’s dance studio, grocery shopping for families in need, volunteering at a church with second grade religious education classes, as well as helping other local businesses and non-profit organizations.
Junior Alayna Gutherman is volunteering right in Bristol Township School District in Sue Sutton’s kindergarten class at Mill Creek Elementary School. She chose to complete her volunteer hours there because she wants to be a teacher.
“I thought I wanted to teach middle or high school English, but now working with Ms. Sutton and all the kids, I really have some thinking to do,” said Gutherman. “My experience has been incredible. Ms. Sutton, Ms. Shannon and Ms. McGuckin, and all the kids are so welcoming and inviting.”
As a volunteer, Gutherman helps test the kids with their letters, numbers and sounds. She takes down projects the kids make on the bulletin boards outside the classroom and puts up new ones to display.
“The students in my class are always excited when Miss Alayna arrives,” said Sutton. “Alayna is willing to help with anything that is needed. She is always professional and hard working.”
Gutherman also helps watch the students during playtime and STEM stations. She often assists the students in building cup towers to ensure it does not get knocked down before completion. Ultimately, the experience of volunteering has helped Gutherman see how the classroom works from a teacher’s point of view.
“I absolutely love working with the kids. Although I only see them for about an hour, hour and a half, it is by far the best part,” she said.
Seeing the students brightens her day and she enjoys seeing them interact with one another. After completing her 20 hours of service, Gutherman didn’t want to stop and continues to volunteer almost every day.
“I have grown to love these kids, Ms. Sutton and the other teachers,” she said. “I have learned that even if I choose to teach secondary education, elementary will always have a special place in my heart thanks to these amazing teachers and students.”
Gutherman says she also realized that as people grow older, they forget how to be a kid.
“These kids have shown and taught me what it is like to be a kid again, to have fun in everything I do,” she said. “I have learned that these kids show what it means to have friendships. They forgive and forget like nothing happens, and when one falls, they help each other back up.”
Overall, Gutherman is grateful for this opportunity to volunteer and help out in a classroom.
“It has been such an amazing and unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever,” she said.
