April 2015 Volunteer Spotlight —Roger Berger (with daughter, Nicole)

     1.) What volunteer opportunities do you do?

I am currently a Lunchroom Helper and help run the McBride store.  For the McBride store, the second grade students in Mrs. McBride’s class earn money from completing their homework and good behavior to buy items from the store.  The store teaches the kids the value of money and addition.  I also help out with my daughter’s soccer team and with our church, which allows me to see many of the PCE students in different settings within our community.

     2.) What motivates you to volunteer in the school?

My wife was the one that urged me to start volunteering at the school to meet other parents and get to know my daughters’ classmates better.  By volunteering, I knew a small amount of time would make an impact in the teachers’ and students’ day.  Being able to spend time at school allows me to interact with the students, and get to know not only my daughters better, but their friends, teachers, and the staff at PCE. 

     3.) Tell about an experience you had while volunteering that made you realize you were making a difference.

I really enjoy working in the lunchroom and the kids are so polite.  Every time I work in the lunchroom, the kids say thank you for helping and you can see the smile on their face.  Several of the kids often skip their recess to help clean up.  You feel like you are doing valuable work when the students are willing to skip part of their recess to help out.

     4.) Have you seen an impact on your child(ren) because you volunteer in the school?

I feel like I can connect to my daughters more since I know their friends, classmates, and how they spend their day.  I understand more of what they are talking about when they come home from school and feel like I can deal with any issues that may arise.  My daughters are learning the value of giving back to the school, their community, and people.

5.) What would you tell someone that is thinking about volunteering in the school?

Being a volunteer does not have to take a lot of time or interfere with your schedule.  Since there is a wide variety of volunteer activities at PCE, I am able to volunteer when it fits into my schedule.  A few hours a week makes an impact with the teachers and students, and really goes a long way.  PCE students and staff are wonderful, and its fun to spend time with the kids and see a different side to them.