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The Fresno Bee, Calif., Eddie Jimenez column: Teacher's aide takes more than her stake
(Fresno Bee (CA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Mar. 24--I did some volunteering in my children's classrooms when they were in elementary school many years ago. Like a lot of parents, I put in my one hour a week, which teachers much appreciated.
We hear all the time about everyone having a stake and a place in educating children. So I was trying to do my part.
Of course, some parents put in more than one hour a week and are real treasures for teachers.
And then there is Oudomphone Souvannarath.
She volunteers in her daughter's kindergarten classroom every day. That's right, every day. And not just for an hour or two.
She helps out in Lisa Nielsen's class at Bakman Elementary School in Fresno from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and often stays after class to help clean up and prepare for the next day until her older daughter gets out at 2:30 p.m.
"I help the kids and in the future they might help me," Souvannarath says. "They might [one day] be a doctor."
Souvannarath became interested in volunteering when Nielsen sent out a note seeking parents. Bakman Elementary School, near Peach and Belmont avenues, has an extended kindergarten day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. So the kindergarten teachers don't have team partners.
Souvannarath also saw that Nielsen didn't have a paid aide or tutor for her class of 21 children. So she decided to volunteer on a daily basis.
Nielsen calls Souvannarath "such a blessing" in taking on various duties so she can teach. Nielsen says the parental assistance -- she had four parents helping out one day recently -- allows her to plan small group activities.
Bakman Principal Mike Jones credits Nielsen with creating an inviting atmosphere for Souvannarath and the other parent volunteers.
Souvannarath's contributions include filing papers, running group stations and helping the children with their ABCs and numbers.
She was born in Laos but left when she was 12, spending the next three years in a Thailand camp. She came to the United States in 1986 at the age of 15, arriving in Louisville, Ky., with her parents and six siblings. About six months later, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio. She initially was placed in elementary school.
"I was 15 and in fourth grade," the petite, soft-spoken woman says. "I looked like a kid."
Her family eventually landed in Fresno. She attended McLane High School until the 11th grade, leaving without a diploma. The school setting intimidated her, and she was scared to ask questions. Now she tells her daughters -- 5-year-old Elizabeth and 11-year-old Crystal, a fifth-grader -- "don't be shy."
Souvannarath took a trip to Thailand in December. Not to worry. She recruited her boyfriend, Marcilio Barrto -- Elizabeth's father -- and her sister, Sonexay Souvannarath, to take her place in the classroom.
"She didn't want to leave me alone," Nielsen said.
Souvannarath was Bakman's choice to represent the school at a recent Fresno Unified school board meeting to lead the flag salute. The board honored her with a plaque.
A nice and fitting recognition for someone who takes her stake and place in education seriously -- every day.
The columnist can be reached at ejimenez@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6386.
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Gottschalks
San Joaquin Valley College
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