After both attending Texas Tech, where they met and fell in love, Robert and Lisa came back to Richardson to live, work and raise a family. Lisa dedicated her life to teaching science, first at Forest Meadow for 25 years and then at Berkner for the last 13years of her career. Robert proudly remembers, “Lisa was the teacher who helped with everything financially for the kids…she had a personal ‘slush fund’ for her students which she used to fill her desk drawer with snacks, school supplies, and anything else kids might need but might not be able to afford. Lisa laughingly states that she received a raise by retiring because she no longer had to set aside money for the slush fund!

Both Lisa and Robert are passion-ate about public education in general for having been products of it. Theystate, “We are big advocates of public education and strong supporters of teachers and staff in schools. The stronger our schools are, the stronger our community, state and country is.” Upon retirement, the couple became very involved at First United Methodist Church Richardson, where they now chair FUMCR’s Children First program. The Children First team established a reading program with FUMCR partner schools Mark Twain Elementary and Greenwood Hills Elementary to make a difference in the lives of students. Church members read to pre-k through second grade students, help on campus workdays, and provide sup-port to the local PTAs.

For the past two years, FUMCR’s congregation has made possible the donation of a book for each student to take home at the end of the fall semester and 1-2 books for the spring semester with the goal of creating a library in each home. Almost 10,000books have been given since the pro-gram began. States Robert, “Purchasing books has had a tangible impact at Greenwood Hills and Mark Twain.”

This spring FUMCR and Children First are spending $2600 to provide the book The Wish Tree to all the students at Greenwood Hills. Librarian Kim Sierra brought the concept of “Greenwood Hills Reads One Book” to the school Each family receives a lesson plan to accompany the book and which chapters to read. The book deals with racism, kids not feeling welcome, and more relevant topics. The art department has made a tree in the hallway and students are putting wishes on it.

Dr. Carrie Thomas, Director of Community Engagement for RISD, realized that the Children First’s reading model could be expanded into an RISD reading program and she solicited the Grinsfelders’ help to make it happen. In the spring of 2022, RISD piloted We Read Together. Reading specialists came up with curriculum. The Grinsfelders helped recruit volunteers, who were then trained by the District on different techniques to use with readers. The program is now in its third year and data indicates that the program is helping students to be on track with their reading by the time they reach third grade.

Lisa and Robert believe that reading is just one component of the program’s success. Says Lisa, “It’s having another adult in the student’s community – a mentor who cares about him or her – that helps the child experience success.” The program now boasts approximately 100 adult volunteers, but the District has big plans for We Read Together. They hope to have 600 volunteers at the end of 2024 and expand to more campuses throughout the District. The Grinsfelders credit RISD top leadership for embracing the program. It’s an “every student, every teacher, every day” school philosophy which fosters inclusiveness and respect.

If you would like to join the Grinsfelders help a child in RISD have a brighter future through We Read Together, it only takes one hour a week. Become a champion outside the classroom. For more information about the We Read Together program or to register to volunteer for this outstanding program, visit risd.org .