Family Leadership Award Winner Crystal Dailey Shares Her Experience as a Volunteer at Penrose Elemen
Crystal Dailey with her daughter, Jordan, during the FACE Office's Family Engagement Conference in October.
“Do small things with great love” -Mother Teresa
This quote exemplifies Crystal Dailey’s dedication to volunteering at her daughter’s school, Penrose Elementary School. She took on the role of HSA President and is an active member of Penrose School’s SAC. However, it’s the little things that she does around the school that illustrate the true extent of her devotion to the students at Penrose.
Ms. Dailey is a frequent classroom volunteer, a role that has allowed her to form a sense of camaraderie with many students: she is someone who can calm students down; she is someone they can confide in; she is part of their family at Penrose. Ms. Dailey’s dedication to being involved began with her daughter, Jordan.
Jordan was born with a heart defect, which has taught Ms. Dailey a lot about children with special needs and the support they need. Ms. Dailey has become an integral part of the Penrose community because of her commitment to helping students and being someone students can lean on whenever they need to.
Ms. Dailey became so involved in her school because she firmly believes that it takes a village to raise a child. She wanted to become a part of that village so she could help numerous students at Penrose succeed. In her view, this responsibility does not just fall on parents, but also the school and the community.
Oftentimes schools need an extra hand, which is why Ms. Dailey prefers to be a classroom volunteer. It gives her an opportunity to assist teachers when necessary but more importantly, volunteering in the classroom gives Ms. Dailey a regular presence in the school. This is essential for gaining the trust of students. Forming a connection with students can’t happen without first building trust.
She feels connected to many of the students at Penrose. They trust her, and she cares about them. “Sometimes they just need someone to talk to,” Ms. Dailey said, as she explained an instance when she was volunteering at the school and a behavior problem came up.
Ms. Dailey took the child aside so that the teacher could continue teacher her lesson in the classroom with the other students. After she simply asked what was wrong, the child immediately calmed down. He saw her as someone he connected to and could easily confide in, because Ms. Dailey is frequently at the school and always positively interacting with the students.
Crystal Dailey was recognized at the FACE Office's Family Engagement Conference in October. She won the Family Leadership Award. From Left to Right: Robert Smith of Comcast, Penrose Principal Carol Casciato, Award Winner Crystal Dailey, and Superintendent William Hite.
Ms. Dailey frequently volunteers with the special needs children. She knows from personal experience how challenging it can be to give these children the extra support they need.
Ms. Dailey has shown unconditional and unfailing support for her daughter since she was born, and she was eager to help other families do the same. Sometimes she’ll show support by chatting with parents—they need someone who understands some of the struggles they’re facing, and Ms. Dailey does. She also helps new families transition into Penrose, offering guidance so they don’t feel lost or alone.
Ms. Dailey even started a resume writing program for the middle school age students. She also help found “Mended Little Hearts,” an organization that provides emotional support to parents with children who have heart problems.
Ms. Dailey radiates with enthusiasm as she speaks about how wonderful her school is and how she helps as much as she can. Although Ms. Dailey’s daughter will no longer attend Penrose because she will be moving to a school that has more resources for her daughter’s special needs, Ms. Dailey is determined to stay a part of the Penrose community. She feels like she can’t just leave all the children she’s built connections with and the school that she’s been a part of for so many years.
Ms. Dailey is the kind of person who wants to help wherever she goes, especially when it comes to children. The love that she holds in her heart for the students of Penrose was displayed through many small actions, from volunteering in the classroom to supporting parents with children who have special needs to just sitting down and talking with children who needed someone to listen.
