At Plew Elementary School in Niceville, a simple observation about aging and purpose has blossomed into an educational initiative that’s changing lives across generations.

Three years ago, Media Specialist & Librarian Shawna Crist noticed something during her weekly conversations with her 92-year-old mother and fellow Sunday school members: many seniors struggled to find purpose in their later years. That realization sparked an idea that would transform her school’s approach to reading education.

“My mom is 92, and I take her to appointments and all that kind of stuff,” Crist said. “When you get to that age, many start to wonder about their purpose.”

• That’s when she had the idea to bring grandparents into the library to help with reading.

Today, the “GRANDreaders” program brings together retirees and students for one-on-one reading sessions, creating meaningful connections while improving literacy skills. The program has grown from a small experiment to include 29 volunteer readers last year, each dedicating time weekly to help students develop their reading abilities.

“They have the time, they have the patience, and they have the gifts,” Crist said. “I’m all about building relationships in the library, and what better way to cross generational gaps?”

The program’s impact extends beyond reading scores. In its first quarter this school year, Plew students read 3,898 books, despite the library not opening until September 4. Last year, students in the GRANDreader program read over 1,600 books and completed accompanying Accelerated Reader (AR) tests through the program.

Bruce Duncan, a third-year GRANDreader whose granddaughter attends Plew, has witnessed the program’s benefits firsthand. “I love the one-on-one with the kids,” Duncan said. “They love to read. They love to show you how good they can read. Some of them are great readers, some are average readers, some need a little help, but I just love their attitude.”

The program has become particularly valuable for students learning English as a second language. With students speaking various languages from Spanish to Norwegian to Portuguese, the consistent exposure to English through reading helps bridge linguistic gaps. The school is now working to expand its collection of bilingual books to better serve these families.

Carole Achtien, a former Chicago-area reading teacher and second-year volunteer, found the program through social media. Despite having no grandchildren in the area, she’s found a new purpose in the program. 

• “I volunteer at many places around the area, and here at Plew you can’t help but just sit there and smile,” Achtien said. “The kids love it.”

The program’s structure allows for consistency while maintaining flexibility. Volunteers are paired with specific teachers’ classrooms, working with students for about 15 minutes each. After reading, students take AR tests to measure comprehension. The program has expanded beyond just reading – some volunteers now help with multiplication facts and other academic skills.

• For teachers, the program has become indispensable. “I had three teachers in my office yesterday asking for more GRANDreaders,'” Crist said. The dedication of the volunteers has impressed staff, with most arriving 10-15 minutes early for their sessions.

The benefits flow both ways. Volunteers find purpose and joy in their service, often arriving early and rarely missing sessions. When they do need to be absent, many arrange their own substitutes from within the program. Their commitment has created a reliable support system for both teachers and students.

The initiative has also strengthened community bonds. Students often recognize their GRANDreaders around town, greeting them at grocery stores and restaurants. “You’re their friend too, and there’s no pressure whatsoever,” Achtien said. 

Male volunteers have become particularly valuable at Plew, which currently has no male teachers. “Having that male presence of our GRANDreaders has been huge,” Crist said. “Teachers have asked for male readers on many occasions because that male influence is so important.”

• The program has evolved to meet various needs within the school community. Some teachers now cycle all their students through the program to ensure everyone has the opportunity to work with a GRANDreader. This inclusive approach has created a buzz among students, with many asking, “What is a GRANDreader? I want to go to a GRANDreader!”

Last December, through a grant from Cox Communications, the program was able to give books to students during their reading sessions. “The Grands love just handing out those books. The kids love taking them home,” Crist said. These efforts help build home libraries and encourage reading outside of school.

Drawing from nearly four decades of experience in education, Crist sees the program as a way to enhance personal connections in an increasingly digital world.

“The GRANDreaders program gives students a chance to develop those crucial face-to-face interaction skills,” she said. “In today’s busy world, between activities and technology, kids don’t always get enough opportunities for one-on-one conversations. Here, they get to sit down with someone who’s fully present and engaged with them.”

The program has attracted volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including retired teachers, principals, and military personnel. Among them is Robert McEachern, who served as the first principal of Bluewater Elementary School and later as an Okaloosa Assistant Superintendent of Schools under Don Gaetz. 

• His presence in the library, reading one-on-one with students, exemplifies how even the most distinguished education leaders continue to serve their community through the program.

“We have volunteers who have said, ‘I’m not a grandparent,'” Crist shared. “I said, ‘That’s all right. Are you grand? Do you feel grand? You can be a GRANDreader!'”

Looking toward the future, Crist hopes to see the program expand beyond Plew’s walls. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if every school started a GRANDreader program?” she asked. “We have Grands in every community.”

• Duncan, who plans to continue volunteering even after his granddaughter moves on to middle school, emphasized the program’s lasting impact. “I think it’s vital for them,” he said. “If you can’t master reading, I don’t know how you can master science, history, math, or any other subject.”

For those interested in volunteering with the GRANDreaders program at Plew Elementary, contact Shawna Crist via email through the school. Those outside the Niceville area are encouraged to reach out to their local schools about starting similar programs.

“You don’t have to be a rockstar,” Crist said. “You just have to care about a kid. You don’t know what influence you might have on a kid’s life, and what better gift can you give a kid than reading?”