From Campus to Classroom: Guest Readers at Old Town Elementary
Written by: Kyrie Ordanza (’28)
For a dedicated group of Wake Forest University students, Wednesdays at 1p.m. aren’t spent in a traditional lecture hall. Instead, it’s spent in the vibrant, high-energy environment of Old Town Elementary. What began as a one time volunteer opportunity with four volunteers has evolved into a sustainable partnership, with 25 students leading literacy and cultural heritage activities across five third-grade classrooms over the past two years.
Reconnecting Through Service
For Jacqueline Sylvia (‘28), the journey began with a simple recruitment email from the Office of Civic and Community Engagement. While she had experience with one-on-one tutoring, the prospect of leading an entire classroom was a new challenge.
“I went to my first one, and after that, I was like, ‘Okay, I need to keep coming back and doing that,” Jacqueline recalls. That spark of passion led her to become the program’s student coordinator and also encouraged her to declare a major in elementary education.
Now, Jacqueline’s impact goes beyond reading; she is the architect of the experience. She selects themed books—like Turning Pages for Hispanic Heritage Month and Fry Bread for Native American Heritage Month—and designs activities that require her to “think like a third grader” while balancing the learning outcomes set by the NC Standard Course of Study. Her goal is to ensure these visits aren’t just another school assignment, but a memorable exploration of identity and connection to new topics and perspectives.
Filling the Gap in Challenging Times
The impact of these volunteers is amplified by the current climate of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools district. Amidst reports of significant financial mismanagement and a $46 million budget deficit, the school day can sometimes feel tense and uncertain with budget cuts and teacher lay-offs. By bringing books and interactive activities directly into classrooms, the program volunteers enrich the curriculum without requiring additional funding or extra planning time from teachers.
Ms. Junker (‘23) a third grade teacher at Old Town Elementary, notes that the volunteers provide more than just a “change of pace.”
It’s exciting for the kids to have someone other than me to interact with. The volunteers do a great job at uplifting different communities and keeping these conversations relevant.
Creating Role Models
The program’s impact is written on the faces of the third graders—eager smiles and a forest of raised hands greet the volunteers at every session. For volunteer Hosaena Fikadu (‘28), the reward is seeing that curiosity firsthand.
Hosaena believes the impact goes beyond the book or topic of that month. By stepping into these classrooms, the volunteers serve as role models of what hard work can achieve. The third graders don’t just see a “guest reader,” they see a future version of themselves.
“When I walked into the room, I saw the children beam with excitement, it reminded me of my younger self,” Hosaena shared. “I loved hearing their curiosities and all the different questions they come up with!” – Hosaena Fikadu (‘28)
A Lasting Connection
The partnership between Wake Forest and Old Town Elementary proves that even when resources are limited, dedication is a powerful currency. For the volunteers, the program offers a grounding connection to the Winston-Salem community and a chance to develop leadership skills and classroom management practice. For the third graders, the program provides a window into different cultures and a reminder that their community cares about their success.
Student volunteers are proving that a shared story is one of the most cost-effective—and life-changing—tools in education. To find similar volunteer opportunities, sign-in with your WFU credentials at wfu.givepulse.com.
