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When Nancy Smith retired and moved to Springfield a few years ago, she realized that she wanted to volunteer. Her granddaughters attend Hickory Hills K-8, so Nancy asked the volunteer coordinator if she could help. She then completed the volunteer application and background checks for approval.
Since she had previous experience as a teacher’s aide from working for the Webb City School District, she was assigned what Nancy calls a “perfect fit.” She assists teachers with tasks that might take them away from their classroom or need to be squeezed in after school. Nancy makes copies, cuts papers, laminates lessons and organizes projects for teachers each Wednesday morning and as needed after school. She is also an elementary lunchroom aide.
“I love giving the teachers a boost by completing tasks for them so that they can spend more time being with their students in the classroom and with their families after school,” Nancy said.
“Nancy is a true saint, cream of the crop, gem to Hickory Hills! She goes above and beyond for our students, staff, and building,” said school counselor Emily Franko. “She volunteers to make copies, prep materials for staff, and anything else we might need. She will even make snow cones or cotton candy – the messy things most people would say ‘no thank you’ to helping with. This year, she signed up to work as our elementary lunchroom aide, and we are so grateful for her. The students are also because she is an orange ‘opener’ expert.”
Since Nancy has two granddaughters at Hickory Hills who call her Grammy, that has become her name for some of the students as well.
“The students notice when she is absent because she has become such an integral part of our Spartan family. Every school needs a Ms. Nancy and we are blessed to have her at Hickory,” said Ms. Franko. “Thank you, Nancy, for loving our students, staff, and school so well.”
Nancy encourages people who need a community to reach out somewhere to volunteer. “It’s an amazing way to meet people and feel wanted and needed.”
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