Volunteer of the Week: Anna-Maria Koranteng; St. James Baptist Church Summer Camp
Posted on: Wednesday, 6 July 2005, 00:00 CDT
What she does: When Anna-Maria Koranteng graduated from Hollins University this year, she decided there was no better way to spend the summer before graduate school than volunteering at St. James Church.
The sociology major wanted to turn "principle into practice" by working with students to help them maintain their reading, writing and math skills while still having fun.
"Everything I've read about in school actually does happen with children in real life. Kids really do interact with each other in ways I've been studying. Girls play with girls, boys play with boys, and their behaviors depend on their gender," Koranteng said.
When she enters a master's program at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall, Koranteng will study sociology with an emphasis on race and gender studies. "My volunteer work is a great segue from undergraduate to graduate school, so I'll be better prepared when I get there. The sooner we teach young children what's acceptable behavior and what isn't, the sooner we can start breaking down race and gender barriers," she said.
Why she does it: The youngest of four children, Koranteng knows how important it is to pay attention to young children. "Parents and teachers can help children develop positive behaviors when they're young," she said.
Campers keep a daily journal, which often includes ways they can develop strong character skills such as responsibility. "They'll be able to carry everything they learn this summer to school next year and for years beyond that," Koranteng said proudly.
Koranteng credits her mother with instilling a caring spirit in her and her siblings. "When my parents emigrated from Ghana to Canada, people were there to help them, and my mother returned the favor as soon as she could. If she had something and you didn't, she shared. I think she passed that on in our genes because three of her children are in social services. One of my brothers is a fireman, and another studied sociology and is now a nurse," Koranteng said.
What she tells others: Koranteng believes it's important for college students to volunteer because they serve as positive role models. "Kids start thinking that if I went to college, they can, too. The earlier you start kids thinking about the importance of education, the better.
"You may not think you have the time to volunteer because of your classes or other responsibilities, but if you give it a try, you'll find it really doesn't take that much time at all, and you really will have a positive impact on a child's life."
Want to know more about volunteering? Contact the Volunteer Center of Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro NC 27405, or call the center at 373-0670. See the Volunteer of the Week on the noon news Wednesdays on WFMY News 2. A complete list of volunteer opportunities may be found at the center's website, www.volunteergso.org
YES
Source: Greensboro News Record
Related Articles
- Today's Children Decide School, Career Path Early
- ''CableCares'' Initiative to Assist the Children and Schools of New Orleans
- Milwaukee College Preparatory School Chooses ''Success Highways'' to Help At-Risk Students Take Academic Initiative
- Schools Chief Urges Universal Uniforms, One-Gender Classes: NN Education and Police Officials Also Discuss Strategies to Prevent Youth Bullying and Gang Activity.
- Katrina Gives Dire New Orleans Schools a Fresh Start
- Many Schools Have Started Year With Money Problems
- School Joins With Nursery to Help Job-Hunting Parents
- New Look for New School Year Starting Next Week, Five New Buildings Open in the Metro Area.Time to Start Cracking the Books Again
- Dayton Schools' Early Start is Smooth
- Kelly Help for Poor Children in School
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds