Chandler Woods Charter Academy issued the following announcement on Mar. 21.
Many of you will recognize Mark Smith. He helps out wherever needed almost every day at Chandler Woods. We are so thankful for Mr. Mark! The following is an article that was recently in the GVSU Charter Schools Office newsletter:
COMMUNITY MEMBER MARK SMITH VOLUNTEERS AS CHARTER SCHOOL HANDYMAN
Mark Smith has been an active community member at Chandler Woods Charter Academy for 11 years. His dedication and passion for helping others has created an environment for both staff and students to work through their days without having to worry about the little things.
Smith’s journey at Chandler Woods Charter Academy began when his two sons, Chris and Mike, attended the K-8 school. The family decided to enroll the boys in the school after doing extensive research into public school options in the area. When his wife passed in 2006, the school helped make accommodations and created a supportive community for Smith and his two boys.
“For the longest time this school was like family, especially as the boys got older,” Smith said. “I have worked my way into the fabric of the school's family. That is the reward for working here for me.”
Before volunteering his time at the school, Smith worked for Johnson Controls in Holland as an automotive designer. After 23 years of working as an engineer, Smith decided to retire. Shortly after Smith started retirement in 2009, former principal Barb Meyer asked him if he could work as a recess monitor.
While working as a recess monitor he began embracing the motto “see a need, fill a need,” lending a hand on small tasks outside of his normal duties. He started helping out teachers and students first by doing all the laminating in the school and filling up bags of ice for when kids fell at recess. One year he noticed that the music teachers were struggling to move the school piano around the building. To provide them with relief, he constructed a cart to help them better navigate the school hallways.
A few years ago, Smith noticed it was hard for the school to keep up with the wind chill predictions. He proceeded to install a weather device on the top of the school roof so the staff could easily monitor it while deciding if students should go outside for recess.
“Mark will do anything for anyone,” school principal Joe Hammond said. “We state a need and he does it. He does the behind the scenes work and makes sure that everyone's days are just a bit easier.”
Other projects Smith has helped with include building a stage for a classroom; building cabinets and tables for rooms; hanging up artwork, boards, TVs, and flags around the building; bolting in lockers; filling the copier with paper; and repairing different items or technology around the school. Smith also participated in the school's spelling bee, lottery, and has recently joined the school board.
“I fill in the cracks,” Smith said.
According to Mark, his two kids both enjoyed their time at the Chandler Woods Charter Academy in different ways. Chris, his oldest son is extremely outgoing. During his time there he met many friends that he still cherishes today. Mike was more of an introvert and took advantage of the many different intervention teams the school offered that helped him become more comfortable reading in front of people. Years later, Mike became the valedictorian of his high school and successfully gave a commencement speech. Chris and Mike have both moved on to college where they continue to excel.
Mark plans to generously continue donating his time to the school when he is not spending time and traveling with his wife.
“He is such a logical thinker and is so invested in the community here,” Hammond said. “It is very rare that you can find someone to come in and dedicate this much time to a school. Every school needs a guy like Mark.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: Chandler Woods Charter Academy
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