Going one on one with the children

LAFAYETTE, INDIANA (WLFI) - As children start to read more books on their own, spell more difficult words and solve math problems, sometimes they can use a little extra help outside the classroom. That's where Donna Avolt and Phyllis Yundt come in. Both ladies spend one day each week at Mayflower Mill elementary helping first grade students. 

Phyllis Yundt and Donna Avolt spend three hours once a week sitting in the hallway outside two first grade classrooms at Mayflower Mill Elementary. They bring their own small school box with pencils and markers, ready to help children at an early age.

"I enjoy the kids. It's fun to see the light bulbs come on," said Phyllis Yundt.

"Children that we can have an impact on. Children that we can help and children that are just fun to be with," said Donna Avolt.

Avolt and Yundt met while volunteering with Tippecanoe County 4-H 33 years ago. When their time spent with 4-H eased up, these two friends knew there was more they could do for children. Yundt started volunteering at Mayflower five years ago. Avolt has spent the last three years with the first graders.

"The teachers assign us students that they feel need some more one-on-one help. We're an extra mother, or an extra grandmother in Phyllis's and my case. And we work with them on spelling and in first grade, it's often that children will transpose their b's and their d's or write their 2's backwards so we can correct that early on," said Avolt.

"We are here on Thursday and the next day is the spelling test, which makes it very nice, because usually they've worked all week long on their spelling. And then, if they have some rough spots, I can help them with their rough spots. And when we get done with the spelling words, we're usually ready for the spelling test," said Yundt.

The two friends said the time they spend with the students each week is something they wouldn't miss. A chance to watch and help children at an early age, as the world of spelling, reading and math, begins to make sense.

"The children are a joy to work with and they get to live up to their potential, which is fun for us to see it and recognize it," said Avolt

"And after we do our work, we never leave this area on a down, we always, they always go back to the classroom on an up and a smile, whichever we get," said Yundt.

Both Phyllis Yundt's and Donna Avolt's children graduated from McCutcheon High School.

Avolt also serves as Tippecanoe County Deputy Coroner.

The ladies work with different students each week, all from four different first grade classrooms at Mayflower.