Volunteer with Down syndrome assumes number of key classroom roles.
By: Gwen McNamara
Cynthia Weisbecker is a second-grade teacher at the Dutch Neck Elementary School in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.
But sometimes it seems more like she’s running a business office than a classroom.
"In the business world, you’d have a variety of full-time positions supporting a department," said Ms. Weisbecker, a former training and conference center manager with PaineWebber. "But that’s not the case with teaching.
"Instead, to handle my department of 22 students, or clients, multiplied by two parents per client, I’ve got to be skilled at interpersonal management, performing administrative tasks in addition to teaching," she continued. "Multitasking is a must."
But now, Ms. Weisbecker has part of the load lifted from her shoulders with the help of a special volunteer.
That volunteer is Melody Holman, 33, of East Windsor, who has Down syndrome and works in Ms. Weisbecker’s classroom several days a week.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes the presence of an additional chromosome at conception. People with Down syndrome can have a wide range of medical problems, such as increased risk of hearing or vision defects, and developmental difficulties, including delayed cognitive and motor skills.
Ms. Holman acts as Ms. Weisbecker’s "administrative assistant," doing paperwork, copying and even some grading that doesn’t require teacher feedback.
Ms. Holman also works with the children on spelling and reads to them as well.
"It’s a real win-win situation," Ms. Weisbecker said. "I get the help I need and Melody gets to do what she loves."
Ms. Weisbecker met Melody about two years ago after her daughter got to know Melody through a youth activity and Ms. Weisbecker met Ms. Holman’s mother at a nonprofit event.
"Melody did not like doing work, like working in a grocery store, that typically people with Down syndrome do," said Carol Holman, Ms. Holman’s mother. "She’d been volunteering with the March of Dimes and we thought this would be a good fit."
After talking with the school’s principal, Ms. Weisbecker began training Ms. Holman in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Holman says she likes to be neat and organized and really enjoys working with the kids.
"I do copying, cutting and help the kids with spelling," she said. "I love the kids. My favorite thing to do is help them with their work."
Because of Ms. Holman’s Down syndrome, Ms. Weisbecker said she was not sure how the children would react to her presence in the classroom, but it has not been an issue.
"Initially some, not all, of the students were a bit hesitant, but once they got to know her that diminished," Ms. Weisbecker said. "It’s a real eye-opening experience for them and they’ve all accepted her here."
The students agree.
"I like Melody because she helps us if our sentences don’t make sense," said Matthew Strober, one of Ms. Weisbecker’s second-graders.
"She’s kind," added Rachel Lipka, another student.
"And she reads books with us," said classmate Irene Kruse.
"The only thing I don’t like about Melody is that I don’t know much about her," said Christian Galkowski. "I’d like to know her better, know what she likes to do for fun."
And while the students are better for knowing Ms. Holman, she is better for knowing them.
"It’s helped improve her social skills," said Carol Holman. "Volunteering like this gives her a chance to give back, do something to help someone else. That’s what’s really great."