USNA Volunteer Spotlight: Helping Hands
This month, USNA is highlighting Helping Hands: Lucian Dervan (father of Dalton ’28), Brandy Turner-King (mother of Addi '28 & Kari Belle ’24), and Sarah Shuster (mother of Eli ’28).
What do Helping Hands volunteers do?
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Each week, you can find a few parents seated in tiny chairs around tiny tables or manning the copy machines as they perform straightforward tasks for a couple hours. These helping hands allow teachers to spend more time with our children rather than cutting out projects or assembling packets. Many, many parents volunteer for these tasks; and we thank them and everyone who has volunteered at USN this year to help students and teachers have a great year.
Why do you volunteer with Helping Hands?
"I enjoy Helping Hands because it lets you assist your child's teacher and contribute to your child's classroom in a very hands-on and direct way. It's nice to know that you're helping the teachers gain a little extra time for class preparation or other needs, while simultaneously getting the chance to work on a project that will be in the children's hands or at their desks later that week,” said Lucian Dervan (father of Dalton ’28).
"As a former teacher, I understand how important it is to have an extra set of hands inside the classroom. From the little things of having laminated artwork, tiny multiple pieces cut out, or numerous copies to make, it's a huge job in the sight of the teacher. By volunteering an hour or so, I give my daughter's teacher more time to focus on the educational experience. Also, it frees up a tad bit of time for the teacher to maybe actually leave school at a decent time during the week,” said Brandy Turner-King (mother of Addi '28 & Kari Belle ’24).
"Teachers do so much for the children all year long. Volunteering to help them is a small way I can give back for all they do for the kids. Plus, I can get a sneak peek at things to come,” said Sarah Shuster (mother of Eli ’28).
Would you share a memorable moment or memory?
"One day while I was cutting out cards in the hallway, my son came out of his classroom for recess. He had broken his leg the week before, so wasn't able to go outside with his classmates. Though on most days such as this he would have stayed in the classroom and read a book, that day he chose to sit with me and help me with the project. I've always loved the idea that Helping Hands allows you to work on projects that are part of your child's classroom. This was a special day because not only did I get to work on one of those projects, I got to work on the project with my USN Tiger,” Lucian said.
"Fondest memories… When my sixth grader was in second grade, I had the pleasure of working on the little wooden dolls and signage for Colonial Days. It was quite a fun day helping the students and listening to their take on the study unit. That night at home Kari Belle looked at me and said, ‘Mrs. Ackerman says you're a great worker and you work very quietly.’ Kari Belle continued with how she is not a quiet worker and thinks school work is much more entertaining with song and dance. Happy to say that even now as a sixth grader she has not lost her sense of ‘quiet worker’ but has learned to tame it. And I still continue to work quietly and efficiently in the halls of USN,” Brandy said.
"I have a few fond memories. One is from this year when I was sitting in the atrium and just got to watch the students go about their day at USN. It is amazing all the things the kids do during the day. It was nice to see that in action. Being a Helping Hands volunteer has also helped me meet other parents who are volunteering at the same time,” Sarah said.
More USN News
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HS spring instrumental concert April 30
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Security Corner: Meet Sgt. Anthony Jones
Sgt. Anthony Jones joined University School of Nashville in November as a School Resource Officer, a certified police officer who is primarily assigned to a school and provides safety and security-related functions, including emergency response, safety training, traffic direction, and patrol functions.Read More -
Senior named UVA Jefferson Scholar
University of Virginia selected Margot Ross '24 to be a Jefferson Scholar. The highly selective scholarship includes the full cost of attending UVA for four years of study as well as numerous enrichment opportunities. It has been 16 years since a University School of Nashville senior last became a Jefferson Scholar.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.