Posted by
Billy on Monday, January 05, 2009 12:25:46 PM
The third-grade students at Manchester Elementary look forward to Margaret Andrews' visits.
Twice a week Andrews, an 83-year-old former teacher, helps students with their studies. She enjoys contact with the young minds. She likes to teach and share.
"It's a wonderful age," Andrews said about the third-graders. "I would be happy to do more."
For her efforts, the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation recently named Andrews mentor of the year.
"She is exceptional," said Susan King, a third-grade teacher at Manchester, near 174th and Blondo Streets in the Elkhorn school district. "There are times I think she is mentoring me, too."
Andrews is like clockwork, King said, tutoring students twice a week, spending about an hour each visit. For two years, she has helped with everything from social studies to science. But her main focus is reading and math.
Whether it's her many life lessons, her approach to learning or her giving nature, Andrews' connection with children is evident. There is something special about her, King said.
"You can definitely see her bond with my kids because they are asking to go work with her," King said.
Andrews also spends two days a week with high school students at Boys Town. That work is more challenging, she said, but equally rewarding.
She's not interested in the circumstances that led the students to Boys Town - she just wants to help them better themselves.
