I’ve been volunteering to help kids with literacy.
I work with 2nd graders from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.
A recent blunder helped me become aware of something I believe we can all appreciate.
If not learn from.
I alternate volunteer dates with a partner and because I messed up I wound up showing up on the same day as my partner. Knowing there were more kids than volunteers I offered to stay and be an extra.
I figured the teachers would assign me somewhere I could be useful.
While one of the sessions – we do three 30-minute sessions – stands out – it’s actually what I learned after the mistake that drives this post.
Stand Out
We were waiting to start the third session when the teacher overseeing the program asked if I’d be willing to work with a student whose reading specialist had to call off. Naturally I was cool with it.
She advised me that while he may read he may need me to read to him.
Shortly after finding a relatively secluded space to read
Most of us hang out in a hall or in a room where we have to try to work with students while ignoring a cacophany…
I noted the student was barely above See Spot Run level.
He was behind by about 1.5 years.
Locked Inside
The first thing that stood out was that this sweet kid was so intelligent but frustrated because he had some sort of “wall” between what he was thinking and what he was able to articulate.
A high functioning autistic perhaps?
I did what I could to assure him I was in no rush and was perfectly willing to wait while he gathered his thoughts. We had a great session and at one point I did ask if he wanted me to read.
He was tired and I considered that though he seemed really comfortable with me he might be a bit stressed because I wasn’t his normal “reader.”
It was a perfect session and while I felt wonderful it isn’t the session that inspired me to write this.
Both Ends of the Spectrum.
In some sessions it’s one-on-one with a student but in others it’s two-to-one. It was while in the two-to-one I came to see a classic example of equilibrium.
A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
Too Fast Cancels Too Slow
Basic math.
While both students in my third session are amazing it occurred to me that they made other sessions stand out because they brought them into balance.
They were ahead of the “average” whereas the others were a bit behind.
I suddenly realized why the teachers so appreciated the volunteers.
Which include a fireman and many others from all walks of life.
By us working with standouts from one end of the spectrum or another we allowed the teacher to work with the norm which allowed the class to progress smoothly.
The Lesson?
Extremes bring the middle into balance.
And makes for harmony.
Elizabeth Maxim 
Published by