It's a safe bet no Lawrence public school volunteer can match the dedication of Leona Campbell.
Campbell has been a presence in Woodlawn School teacher Terry Tuckwin's afternoon kindergarten class for 17 years. Tuckwin calls Campbell the professor emeritus of volunteers.
John King, a kindergartner in Terry Tuckwin's class at Woodlawn School, receives assistance recently from Leona Campbell. Campbell has been a volunteer at the school for 17 years.
Through the years, Campbell has been as reliable as daffodils in springtime. "I can count on one hand the Wednesdays she's missed," Tuckwin said.
Campbell doesn't seek acclaim for her volunteer work. Tuckwin had to twist her arm to appear recently before the Lawrence school board to celebrate her years of work at Woodlawn. Campbell couldn't wait to quit talking about herself in a subsequent interview at the school, preferring to let her interaction with children speak for her.
"I feel I get a lot more out of it than I give," Campbell said. "To see how they grow in one year is a pleasure. It's been a privilege to be in this room so long."
It might not have come to pass had Gary Haworth, Woodlawn principal from 1985 to 1997, not sent letters to residents of North Lawrence seeking volunteers.
Campbell, who lives on Walnut Street within walking distance of Woodlawn, responded to the appeal. An especially large kindergarten class that year prompted Haworth to assign Campbell to Tuckwin's room, and she's been there ever since.
"That's the only time in my life I've been thankful for a large class," Tuckwin said. "We work so well together. She knows the kids and their needs. The ones that really get into her heart are the ones struggling."
An extra pair of experienced hands in the classroom makes a big difference for students who need a little extra one-on-one attention, Tuckwin said.
Kindergarten students Avery Hughes, 5, and Mileena Miller, 6, enjoy Campbell's company.
"She helps us a lot. And she's nice," Avery said.
Mileena added: "She helps us learn about pennies and nickels, and magnets and letters."
Last week, Tuckwin took her 13 students through an assignment designed to help them understand the best response to a sneeze or cough. Each student was to write on a piece of paper "cover a cough," spelling out one letter at a time.
"C!" Shyanne Smith blurted out at the outset. "C for Mrs. Campbell."
It's likely these students will remember Campbell's name long after they leave kindergarten. As she walks across the playground for her Wednesday afternoon stint at Woodlawn, children in all grades run up for a hug.
"She's everybody's grandmother at Woodlawn," Tuckwin said.
Campbell, who retired in 1992 as manager of her late husband's trucking business, said it would be nice if more parents had an opportunity to spend time in public school classrooms.
The daily challenge of educating children is an eye-opener, she said.
"It's sad more parents can't see the process, even if it's just for one day," Campbell said. "If I had to make a wish, that's what I'd wish for."
She said Tuckwin would essentially decide the length of her volunteer streak at Woodlawn.
"I'll be here as long as she is," Campbell said.
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