The green wristband, which I wear alongside my yellow “Livestrong” wristband, reads, “MAYA STRONG.” That’s the slogan at the high school where I work a few days a week. The Maya Strong commitment has these central elements: “All In, Any Challenge and No Excuses.” Words we all can live by.
I have always loved working with kids and spent a large portion of my adult life volunteering as a Boys and Girls Club coach. After retiring from my recycling industry job in Seattle and moving to Arizona, I found a void. A friend introduced me to the Experience Matters program, which places older adults in stipended positions in local schools.
I have to admit that my first visit to Maya High School, with its 450 students, came as a complete shock. The majority of students are resource-challenged. All receive free breakfast and free lunch. The school’s dropout rate is high and its test scores low.
I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure if it was a good fit for me since my background – and my children’s high school experience – were extremely different. I agreed to sit in on a faculty meeting to get a better flavor for what I might be getting into. Again I was shocked, but in a positive way, and hence my “encore moment.” When I heard what the teachers were trying to do to help these kids succeed and improve their lives, I was hooked. I wanted to be a part those success stories.
One of my best encore days was participating in a community project with some students including Sergio (not his real name), a former meth user and gang member whose father is incarcerated. Despite those challenges, Sergio wants to be a model for his younger sister, who is already talking about dropping out.
As we sweated through picking up trash in parking lots on a hot day, Sergio never stopped working. I was impressed and saw this wonderful, positive side of a kid trying his hardest. We connected in a special way and I now follow his journey and believe we are both better for our relationship.
At Maya, I have helped connect the business community with the school to provide financial assistance, student jobs and seminars to prepare students for employment. I have helped bring in local universities, community colleges and training centers to talk to Maya students to get them interested in pursuing their education after high school.
The personal satisfaction is highly rewarding and I would certainly recommend an encore adventure for retired boomers.