Sunland Village East resident in Mesa volunteers at Boulder Creek Elementary

For 18 years, Barbara Mack — affectionately known by students and staff as “Grandma Barb” — has made the 1-mile walk from her doorstep in Sunland Village East in Mesa to Boulder Creek Elementary School to volunteer and support student learning.

With an infectious smile, a signature hat, and an unyielding positive attitude, the 80-year-old retiree spends four mornings every week giving students one-on-one encouragement that helps drive student success.

A former paraprofessional from Minnesota, Grandma Barb moved to Sunland Village East with her husband nearly two decades ago, but just after arriving, she felt a strong desire to stay connected to local children.

“I was only here a couple weeks before I said, ‘I’ve got a little too much time on my hands,’” Barb recalls. “I heard there was a school down the road and asked if they wanted a volunteer. This school was so welcoming, comforting, and friendly right from the start that I thought, ‘I can do this.’ It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Barb has spent most of her volunteer time assisting second-grade teacher Mrs. Shannon Olson, helping students with reading, working through math games, practicing money and telling time, and guiding them through retakes on assignments.

Barb shares that she is driven by the “aha” moments when a struggling student understands a concept.

Just last school year, Barb says she worked with a small group of students struggling with numbers and the alphabet. Through patience, setting routines, and using educational games, each of the students completed the school year reading and performing math at grade level.

“How fulfilling can a job ever be than that?” Barb added. “The attitude of the whole school toward parents and children is wonderful. If you don’t accept anything except ‘nice’ from the kids, that’s what you get. A few hours a day can make a real big difference.”

Shannon Olson notes that Barb’s impact goes far beyond academics, instilling accountability, confidence, and warmth in every student she touches.
“She’s amazing,” says Olson. “She’s just a ray of sunshine on campus.”

Grandma Barb shares a message for everyone, her lifelong philosophy passed down to her from her father — share happiness and recognize that small acts of kindness can create a big impact.

“Try to appreciate people, because they have so much potential and so much love,” Barb says. “No matter what happens in life, my bottom line is trying to share pure happiness. You don’t have to put in a whole lot — just a little bit makes a big impact.”

Tristan Chavez is a Gilbert Public Schools communications specialist.