Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Mom Volunteers At Multiple CMS Schools

Davidson NC

25 April, 2022

5:29 PM

Description

Press release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 4/21/2022 Heather Culm is a parent volunteer at Hopewell High School and Bradley Middle School, and strives to go above and beyond for students at Barnette Elementary where she works as a kindergarten assistant. Culm, currently PTSA president at Hopewell, knew she wanted to be involved in her children's schools as they grew up, and she volunteered at every available opportunity. Now that her son Jack is in high school, she says he isn't quite as excited to see her around the halls, but she knows he's proud of how hard she's worked to support him throughout his educational career. "You're not going to be at prom right?" she says her son asked her. Her daughter Lily is in seventh grade and still likes to see her mom at events. Culm even took on the role of substitute teacher when Lily was in elementary school at Torrence Creek Elementary, and volunteered to help host the father daughter dance. For her, getting involved was incredibly important, and she hopes other parents do so as well. " "Come to a meeting, go volunteer in the school, do anything to get your foot in the door, because the more you come in, you'll see how valued you are as a volunteer that the schools need you and that you're appreciated," said Culm. Culm is certainly appreciated at Hopewell, too. Administrative secretary Dawn Duport says she is "their number one cheerleader." "Her passion is evident in so many areas of our school," said Duport. Culm also helped lead the charge for the "Say Something" app to be implemented in CMS and helped secure a grant to help students with social and emotional learning. "I just see it as a win for all of our schools that yes, we've got this and that," said Culm. She's currently helping to organize staff appreciation week, which leaves no staff member out of the celebration. "It's always all staff, because the custodians and the cafeteria workers are sometimes looked over, but we are all one team," she explained. In her second year as PTSA president at Hopewell, she looks back and is grateful for the time she's spent in her children's schools. "I'm just passionate about giving back and making it better for the students," Culm surmised. April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. This press release was produced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.