Volunteer wins education award

By Alex Strickland

Bigfork Eagle

When Carolyn Wilverding walked into the annual Northwest Reading Council conference in Kalispell she thought she was doing what she always does; giving her time for someone else.

Wilverding, known only as "Mrs. Carolyn" at Bigfork Elementary where she spends her days, was fooled into attending the ceremony under the pretense that a local teacher was receiving an award and that she should be in attendance.

In fact, it was Mrs. Carolyn who was being honored with the Friend of Education award for her daily actions to support literacy at Flathead High School on August 29.

The Northwest Reading Council's annual back-to-school conference highlights new research and techniques in teaching literacy and presents awards for volunteers and teachers.

"When I arrived it turned out it was for me, and I was absolutely thrilled," she said.

A retired teacher from California, Wilverding volunteered at Bigfork Elementary four days each week last year helping kindergartners and first-graders with reading.

"I think we should all, as adults, do what we can for children to get all the tools they need," she said.

Sharon Lamar, a first grade teacher at the school, nominated Wilverding for the award. "She is both professional and nurturing, but best of all, our students love working with her," she said.

Wilverding comes into the classrooms during morning reading sessions and works with her young pupils one-on-one — a special luxury in today's classrooms.

"You get to do more of the one-on-one that teachers might not have time to do with them," she said. For instance, in her kindergarten classes Wilderving works with children on phonics and as they progress through the year will have them read to her so she can help tackle any stumbling blocks they encounter.

This school year Wilderving is in class five days each week helping students navigate the minefield of the silent "k" and to understand the mystery of how to pronounce "-ph."

"I try to do the best I can to get to all of them," Wilderving said. "I love it. I love being with the kids."