Volunteers in Education Volunteer: Rod Klassen
Continuing with our National Volunteer Week volunteer spotlights, today we’re highlighting a truly exceptional volunteer, Rod Klassen. Rod was born in the post-war era, and according to him, he was “raised in unearned prosperity, educated well beyond his capacity, and fortunate to enjoy a most interesting profession. Along the way, he was blessed with two children—and now, grandchildren. His life has been rich with adventure: paddling canoes on Shield rivers, hiking trails and climbing mountains, snowshoeing through the woods, mushing dog teams at -40°C, and embarking on motorcycle journeys. Not to mention cycling 30 kilometres to work downtown for 33 years—when the season allowed, of course. A busy life well lived. He’s one lucky guy!”
“Rod is a warm, passionate, and dedicated person who cares deeply about students and education in general. As a long-time volunteer, he enjoyed 5 years of in-person service with grade 8 teacher, Mr. Hicks, who he says taught him how to inspire students in math and from then on, Rod has been a tutoring force! He also helped students for a decade through the tutoring program with Pinecrest-Queensway. Rod is humble, intelligent, understanding, generous, and he’s got a great vocabulary! To address some challenges he was facing while tutoring online, he purchased a zoom account so he could offer a better experience for his students. This is a reflection of his respect for tutoring and his commitment to contributing to society. Though we’re sorry this will be Rod’s last year as a VIE tutor, we’re grateful for his long service. Helping so many students is something to be very proud of – Rod, you’ve made an important impact – thank you!” – Adriana Johnston, Program Manager, Volunteers in Education
“Rod worked in my grade 9 math classroom at Bell HS a few years ago. He was a great addition to the classroom, very knowledgeable with math concepts having done tutoring and volunteer work in an elementary classroom which he always spoke of fondly. I was very appreciative when he came and worked with students – both helping them better understand the concepts as well as extending and challenging their knowledge and thinking. He would seamlessly float around the room working with students. He was also very excited and interested in the ways we were approaching how we taught the concepts and was a pleasure to chat with after class.” – Teacher, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
What made you decide to volunteer with VIE?
Of his own legacy, my father once said he would like to be remembered as someone who built, and still that sentiment rocks me. So, on retirement I thought of my own schooling and of all those many little things that, left unresolved, can easily derail academic progress: that inexorably lead to tutoring.
It is true that education builds on all of that which has gone before and that each step in its progression must be mastered in sequence. In tutoring, problems otherwise left unresolved on the blackboard may be dealt with long before they may unexpectedly emerge later as academic roadblocks. That’s tutoring. Sometimes success – greater understanding, is as simple as a choice of words or a background review, whereas other times you must delve deeply into a problem, but always it is the student who comes out better.
When you were in school, who was your favourite teacher and why?
Mr. Mellor, the Phys Ed teacher at Woodroffe High School, a positive, dynamic, focused man who understood people, and who gave everyone the measure of respect they deserved. As an immature adolescent, in that most basic approach to life he taught me a lot. In addition to the evils of smoking, he also introduced the value of cardiovascular fitness; those of my age well remember the ‘Cooper test’. That understanding has served me well.
I must also mention Mr. Hicks, who, through VIE, allowed me into the back of his Grade 8 math classroom for five years (Jack Donohue PS). In his patient, brilliant class work he taught me HOW to teach, as well as what a good (great) PS math teacher can accomplish. He brought math to life and routinely laid solid foundations for future success! The students had no clue how lucky they were – until later, when they returned from higher education with thanks.
How do you balance your volunteer work with your personal and/or professional life?
In retirement, time is not too difficult to find, and so my tutoring has been dreadfully easy to schedule. But I know and have worked with others who would faithfully rush to catch the bus after work on cold, dark winter evenings just to make their tutoring appointments on time, and they did it for free! We all do. The rewards of volunteering, especially in education, are beyond measure.
What unexpected lessons have you learned through your volunteer experiences?
Four things:
About students: I can say without reservation that they are all different in how they open their books, and that they are all wonderful – they ALL wanted to learn and, as important, they ALL valued their learning! No exceptions.
About tutoring: I learned that it is only partly about the homework problem on the page. As important – more important in fact, are the many casual interactions that address simple things, like how to study, how to organize and present work, how to take an exam, and how subject knowledge may be useful in life: much of that draws on experience and is little taught in school.
About the educational system: I fear that it does not emphasize what students and the nation need for success: critical thinking skills as well as the basis for critical thinking itself. In math and science, much of my time was spent simply building up two (three?) Grade levels just to ‘get’ to their current Grade and the problem at hand. That they may not be ready for ‘next steps’ is most often not their fault, but that’s where tutoring builds for greater academic success. It’s an educational flywheel.
About me: To my most pleasant surprise, tutoring works both ways: I have likely learned more about math and science, and how to communicate it, than the students themselves.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering but feels hesitant?
Just do it! In ONFE-VIE, there are opportunities ready and waiting that will allow you contribute to education and, through that, to the very fabric of society itself. They are to be cherished, not passed by. When you build, it’s amazing what you can accomplish – and learn!
