Volunteer Deidre Hull helps a child learn her numbers in class at Niños de Promesa Preschool at First Baptist Church in Tyler. Hull, a member of Green Acres Baptist Church, is one of several members of the community who volunteers through Buckner International which operates the school. Photo by Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph

 

Twice a week Deidre Hull dedicates her mornings to helping preschoolers learn English at the Buckner Nios de Promesa Preschool at First Baptist Church. When the children first enter the classroom at Nios, they speak little or no English, but throughout the school year Ms. Hull receives joy from watching them learn and grow.

Buckner International began in the 1860s as a foster home in Dallas founded by a Baptist preacher named R.C. Buckner. Since then, Buckner has grown into an international charity that supports humanitarian aid, foster care, orphanages, adoption and preschools.

Nios was founded in 2004 and now serves more than 85 students, with more than 100 on the waiting list, according to the school’s website.

The preschool serves children 3 to 5 years old, who come from primarily Spanish-speaking households. According to Preschool director Astilma Vargas, the school charges a sliding school tuition that allows the parents to feel a sense of responsibility in their children’s education.

Mrs. Hull, a self-described empty nester, whose children are grown, said she was looking for a new volunteer opportunity.

After seeing an article about Nios de Promesa in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, she contacted the school. Mrs. Hull had taught ESL for three years, making her an ideal candidate for the school that seeks to teach young children English and allow them more opportunities in life.

“I saw the precious faces of the Nios kids in the paper, and my heart was instantly drawn to the program,” Hull said in an email. “As an empty nester, I knew I still had a lot to give to these kids during such an impressionable time in their lives. Volunteering with these kids is the most rewarding part of my week — their joy makes me young again.”

Ms. Vargas believes that Mrs. D, as she is known to the preschoolers, has become an essential part of the program in the last year and a half.

“I am just an extra set of hands and an extra set of eyes,” Mrs. Hull said.

“Ms. D probably feels like she just shows up, but what she provides, what she brings to us is very important to us,” Ms. Vargas said, quick to point out just how much of a difference Mrs. Hull makes at the school.

“Not only is she helping with an extra set of eyes providing supervision, her extra set of hands going to a child, reading to a child, supervising, cleaning noses and tying shoes. Her work, her dedication is very important to us,” Ms. Vargas said.

At the end of each school year, Buckner recognizes the hard work of the volunteers and lets the parents see just how instrumental they are in the educational process.

All of the hugs that she receives makes the hard work worth it for Mrs. Hull. While the younger children take more patience and their moods can change quickly, Mrs. Hull knows that those bad moods never last long. She’s always eager to hear the children tell her about their days.

“It’s really just a joy to be around the kids,” Mrs. Hull said. “We have a fabulous 4-year-old class, who now can read and recite scripture they’ve memorized because of their teachers.”

By the time the students graduate from the program, they are able to speak fluent English, recognize shapes, colors, numbers and letters and can write their own names.

“There are people out there who care about the community, that care about children, because they come and they dedicate their time and they don’t expect anything in return,” Ms. Vargas said. “We love having volunteers. The children love Mrs. D.”

Nios currently has two volunteers. Mrs. Hull works 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Buckner volunteers are thoroughly vetted before receiving an orientation and beginning work with the children.

To learn more about Buckner and ways to get involved, visit buckner.org or call 1-800-442-4800.

 

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