Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: CMS Volunteer Is Building Relationships

Davidson NC

25 April, 2022

5:27 PM

Description

Press release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 4/22/2022 CMS volunteer George Miles is focused on forming and maintaining healthy relationships among students. Miles has been a CMS volunteer for more than three years. The retiree decided to work with CMS after moving to North Carolina to be closer to his grand-daughter. It was through Park Road Baptist Church that Miles answered the call to become involved in shaping the lives of young students. He began by tutoring Heart Math at Sedgefield Elementary. And then soon became involved in organizing book drives for schools. He's been an integral part of helping to plan and execute several Book-A-Palooza events at Marie G. Davis (K-8). "I'm convinced that a better model for book distribution is for kids to pick their own books," says Miles. "If kids have the opportunity to pick out their own books, then they are more likely to read them." Principal Phillip Johnson says Miles is truly one in a million. "Mr. Miles works hard to collect and donate books for our students to select, read, and keep", says Johnson. "He provides students with the opportunity to have pride of ownership in the books they choose to read." Miles also supports students in several other ways. He has worked with Augustine Literacy Partners to tutor students at Marie G. Davis and Rama Road Elementary School. But Miles is quick to point out that volunteering is much more than just helping students with reading and math skills. "It's relationship building", says Miles. "It's the relationship, the attention that you're able to give, that a student may not be getting otherwise." Volunteering for CMS has allowed Miles to give back some of the privileges that he's benefited from during his life. "A lot of students struggle with learning, so it's important to work one on one with them to give them the attention they need." Miles recommends people to make time to volunteer at a CMS school. "It's worth it. You're making a difference in the life of a child. But you're also making a difference in your own life." If you're interested in becoming a CMS volunteer you can find information at https://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/cpfe/volunteers/pages/default.aspx This press release was produced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.