Wilma SYLVESTER

SYLVESTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/16/2008 at 10:48:01

[Wilma Sylvester formerly of Woolstock, Wright County, Iowa]

Copyright, Sioux City Journal, Iowa
December 26, 2006

Volunteer brings smile to student's face
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer

Rafael Miranda wasn't smiling in school and didn't smile for some time. His mother Maria Rodriguez credits a retired teacher, Wilma Sylvester, with bringing the brightness back to her son's face.

"She brought about a drastic change in my son's life, following my involvement in a violent crime," said Rodriguez who had been the victim of a stabbing in May of 2005. "We don't know if he witnessed it, but he changed after that and I can't begin to express my gratitude to Mrs. Sylvester for the change in him."

Following her retirement after 40-plus years of teaching, Sylvester and her husband Bob had a bit of the "wanderlust," and did a great deal of traveling. And although she proclaimed those three years "off" were wonderful, something was lacking.

"I can stand in my driveway and see the classroom I once taught in," she said of her proximity to Sunnyside Elementary School. "I wanted back in."

She started out working in the third-, fourth- and fifth-grade rooms, then moved to the special education classroom for fourth- and fifth-graders -- helping about eight students with special needs -- for two full days a week. But "age caught up with me," she acknowledged, and over a period of years, and she scaled down to two days a week for three hours a day.

"Wilma plays a very important part in the lives of the children she works with as a volunteer," said Joni Coughlon, special ed teacher. "She has a calming voice and shows the students the love and respect they so desire."

Rodriguez put it more succinctly, referring to Sylvester as the "angel" that came into her 9-year-old child's life.

"When I started working with Rafael, Joni had mentioned he never smiled," Sylvester recalled. "The more I worked with him, the more his personality changed so much, that now he giggles."

Whether it be the fact that Sylvester is petite (some of the fourth-grade students can look her in the eye) and thus, non-threatening, or the fact that she is willing to talk privately with Rafael about issues or fears, the change in the fourth-grader is noticeable, Coughlon stressed.

"She gives Rafael extra love, confidence and assurance to keep trying," she explained. "She listens to him with an attentive ear."

Rafael provided his own insights: "She makes me feel good, better," then hesitated and added deliberately, "cozy, warm."

"I don't know if I've ever heard him use the term 'cozy,'" Sylvester marveled.

But the 75-year-old has a special rapport with all of the students, Coughlon added. Most students refer to her as "Grandma Two," which corresponds with the classroom number.

"Wilma is a natural at picking up on what is bothering a student and gives that student the reassurance and confidence to keep trying to do their best," Coughlon noted.

"As one student put it, 'Mrs. Sylvester loves me,'" she added. "She has that great smile and is always ready to give an encouraging word. This is one lady that truly makes a difference in the lives she touches."

Looking a bit like Mrs. Santa Claus with her white hair, blue eyes, silver-framed eyeglasses and rosy cheeks on this December day, Sylvester said the rewards for her are seeing the students progress and the respect and unconditional love they give her.

"They knew I was having trouble with my balance because I have trouble with my knees. So every one of them brought a donation so Joni could get me an adjustable walking stick," she said showing off the early Christmas present.

"They are all a blessing to me, because they want me to come and help them," Sylvester said. "They are a tremendous boost to my ego."

Joanne Fox may be reached at (712) 293-4247 or joannefox@siouxcityjournal.com .

VITA
Name: Wilma Sylvester
Hometown: Woolstock, Iowa; moved to Sioux City in 1962
Education: Graduated from Woolstock High School in 1949; attended junior college and earned a teaching certificate the next year; attended the University of Northern Iowa; awarded a bachelor degree in education from Wayne State College in 1966; awarded a master's degree in education from the University of South Dakota in 1972
Professional: Taught in elementary classrooms before moving to Sioux City in 1962; taught Sioux City elementary and special education students from 1962 until retiring in 1993
Personal: Married to husband Bob since 1953; a son, Tom and a daughter, Tangela
How she's making a difference: By volunteering in the special education classroom at Sunnyside Elementary School