Volunteer aide assists at Mater Dei

By JoANN AMMANN, Globe Intern
October 19, 2006

This fall, Angela Copas was given the opportunity to do something she loves, working with children.

Copas was able to work through the New Perspectives, Inc., (formerly known as WACO) and volunteer in two classrooms at The Immaculate Conception Center of Mater Dei School in Sioux City.

New Perspectives, Inc., is an organization that that provides services to people with disabilities living in the community. New Perspectives, Inc.'s goal is to assist individuals in becoming self-sufficient and learning their capabilities.

Anna Stamat, of New Perspectives, Inc., worked with Kevin Vickery, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, in helping plan where Copas would be placed.

"Angela is a quite humble person; she just kind of fits in with the philosophy of the church," said Stamat. "She fits in with the kids that she works with and the kids at Immaculate Conception."

"She is very qualified," Stamat added. "She had all of the job qualifications and the right personality for working with the children as well as working with the teachers."

Polly Asay, also of New Perspectives, Inc., worked with the pairing of Mater Dei School and Angela Copas.

"I have to say it has probably been one of the best experiences I have done since I started this job," said Asay. "Just to see the way the teachers were so close to the children, even though it was a new start of the year, it was just unbelievable how good they were with the kids."

Asay also commented on the match that was done between Copas and the school.

"I think Angela does a good job as a match for the Catholic Church," Asay said. "She has the sincerity and love of working with children, which is just how all the other teachers are there also. It was a beautiful experience. Just unbelievable."

Copas was able to work in a first- and third-grade classroom at the school. She spent two weeks in each classroom, working as a teacher's aide. She did various tasks, including reading to the students, showing the first-graders sight words, passing out and grading papers and helping teachers with odds and ends.

Sarah Jacobs, third grade teacher at Mater Dei, was excited to be able to work with a volunteer in her classroom and to have a helping hand to work with the children and to help her get tasks done.

"I was approached by my principal who was looking for a first grade and third grade teacher to work with Angela," said Jacobs. "It was awesome, she [Copas] was so polite and respectful. She was eager to work with the children and had great ideas to share with me, too."

Jacobs also commended Copas on her eagerness with the children.

"I think because of her eagerness to get involved in the school system and working with the children, it worked," Jacobs said. "She's awesome with the kids. I think most of it was on her part being eager to work with the kids and the school."

Copas said one of her most enjoyable parts of volunteering at the school was reading to the children, which she did in both classrooms.

"My favorite book that I got to read was "Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul", which I read to the third-graders," said Copas.

Copas, a parishioner at St. Boniface, also stated how she enjoyed praying with the students.

"I loved to watch the children pray, I did the rosary with the third-graders," Copas said. "The people there are some of the most wonderful people -and the staff and everything - that I've ever met.

"This is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life," said Copas. "What made it wonderful was the people I was working with and the children in the classroom."

To conclude Copas' time at the school, the kids hosted a party at the end of her four weeks at the school. The students made a card for her and sang songs and had snacks.