Monday: Kennedy School Honors Volunteer Janet McGourty

The John F. Kennedy School is honoring Janet McGourty for her work as a volunteer at the schoo. She will be honored Monday at a PTA open house at 5:30.

Here's the announcement from Somerville Public Schools:

John F. Kennedy School Honors SPS Volunteer Janet McGourty

The John F. Kennedy School will honor Volunteer Janet McGourty in gratitude for her years of service at the Kennedy PTA Open House on Monday, November 26 at 5:30pm.  Longtime Somerville resident Janet McGourty has been volunteering for more than five years at the John F. Kennedy School.   A former elementary school teacher with special needs education experience,  Janet contacted the SPS Volunteer Program after discovering that she missed teaching and connecting with students.  “I wanted to do something in the schools, and use some of my background working with special needs students.  I had no idea at the time how fulfilling this would be or that I’d stay for so long.”

Janet worked with SKIP (Specialized Kennedy Intensive Program) students from 2003 to 2004 as a Summer School volunteer in the program, and then every week during the school year.  She returned to volunteer at SKIP in 2008, the Summer SEEK (Socio-Emotional Education at the Kennedy) Program in 2009, and began volunteering in a Kindergarten classroom in 2009.

Since that time, Mrs. McGourty has been a steady presence in the classroom, volunteering every week to read with students in small groups, working one-on-one with a student, or helping teacher Roxane Scrima with classroom work.  Through her volunteering at the school, Janet forged friendships with staff and students, providing reliable support for whatever was needed in the classroom. “It has been such a pleasure having Janet in my kindergarten classroom,” said Ms. Scrima.  “Her enthusiasm for learning new things is contagious around staff and students.  We will miss her weekly book pick and her participation in classroom activities."

When asked why she wanted to volunteer with Somerville Public Schools, Janet cited the impact a volunteer tutor had on her educational experience.  She was in ninth grade and having difficulty with algebra when a volunteer tutor showed up.   “It meant the world to me to have support as I struggled.  When I finally understood it, I was incredibly happy, and my tutor was happy for me.  I felt that my tutor always had faith in me and knew I could do it.  This experience led me to want to do the same for a student.”

The Kennedy School and Somerville Public Schools continues to welcome and engage community volunteers to support teaching and learning.   To see more Volunteer Spotlights, Volunteer Trainings and Opportunities visit:  www.somerville.k12.ma.us/volunteer.