Matches made in heaven

A dynamic duo: Mark Freeman and Lisa BishopInside jokes. Witty banter. Completing each other’s sentences. It’s what’s expected after 18 years together, right? That’s how long volunteer Mark Freeman has worked alongside Ms. Lisa Bishop. In that time, they’ve worked at four schools and shared their passion for hands-on learning with hundreds of students. They’re both happily married (to other people), but form quite the dynamic duo in the classroom. Q: How were you paired with Lisa?

Mark: Your organization looked at my background and said, ‘Oh, we think we know somebody you might enjoy volunteering with.’Lisa: And my memory was that we had a school volunteer at Paul Revere who talked to him and said, ‘I know a perfect teacher for you.’ They knew I was a ‘do everything hands-on as much as possible’ teacher, and Mark loved to cook. Mark liked big projects.

Q: So what kinds of projects have you done with students over the years?

Lisa: We had some really large classes in the beginning. So to have Mark with me was such a blessing, because he could teach four or five kids fractions by cutting up food. He taught them all kinds of fractions by cutting food into fourths and fifths and sixths. He taught them how to use very sharp knives and he would use kitchen utensils that were so unique and dangerous, and not one child cut themselves or had a problem.Mark: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mostly, I was teaching them how to eat. Most of them thought that the best food they ever had was McDonalds. And then when they make a finger salad with weird ingredients and I would tell them, ‘I don’t know if you’re going to like this. It’s too bitter or too strong for you.’ Then they have to try it.Lisa: During those first years of Mark teaching with me, we also went on big field trips together. Mark would follow me to Angel Island overnight for the Civil War experience for fifth graders. He would follow me on the CA Thayer or the Balclutha, where you’re doing living history and back in time to the 1906 earthquake and fire. We would become sailors and we would be on the ship overnight, for 24 hours.

Q: And here you are 18 years later. Did you imagine you’d be making this type of commitment when you signed up to volunteer?

Mark: I thought I was just getting into a couple of hours a week. My message to potential volunteers is you can spare a couple of hours per week. But guess what? Two turns into four really easily because the kids are so much fun. You got a teacher that you love working with? That relationship becomes important. Then there are these extra trips that the teacher plans.

Q: What’s surprised you most about being a volunteer and having a volunteer?

Lisa: Nothing surprises me about him, because he’s so amazing, and so giving of his time, himself, his skills, his creativity and he’s so flexible.Mark: Lisa is unique. She was unique as a teacher and unique when she became a librarian. Within six months of becoming a librarian, she had everyone in the school making and writing a book. That includes the custodial staff, parents, etc.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer?

Mark: Whatever skills you have, they will be put to use. You don’t have to have a different skillset to become a volunteer. Just be yourself and show up regularly. You may not like high school kids, so work in an elementary school. If you don’t like kindergarteners, go to middle school. Or, pick an age group where you remember that school was hell for you. You get a chance to go back and make it better.Lisa: What happened to you when I told you I was going to middle school?Mark: (Chuckling) ‘Not ready for middle school. Still not ready for middle school.’Lisa: He said, ‘Oh no, those were the worst years of my schooling. I don’t know if I can go to middle school. Those were terrible years.’

Q: So what’s it been like?

Mark: It’s been great because I’m not dealing with a whole gang of kids. It’s one kid at a time, or two kids at a time.Lisa: And is it bringing up all those bad memories? Or are you able to be that person that wasn’t there for you in middle school?Mark: That’s what it is. There were people who were there for me, but there were very few. I would say that anyone who is thinking of volunteering, just by virtue of being an adult, you have experiences that are going to inform you and let you see what’s going on for the kid. It’s not just the math. It’s seeing what’s going for the kid, so that you can see what the kid needs.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the unexpected friendships that have formed between some of our volunteers and teachers. We sat down with a handful of our volunteer/teacher pairs to talk about how their partnership has unfolded since they started working together. Check back each day this week for a new story.