Retired Broken Arrow Teacher Volunteers As Tutor Every Day

A former Broken Arrow teacher is spending her retirement back in the classroom.

Debbie Crawford is a volunteer tutor, still making a difference years after retiring.

She went over sight words with first grader Austin Regenhard on Monday.

"I've always taught first grade. That's my love,” Crawford said.

Crawford retired in 2018, after teaching for about 14 years at Arrowhead and Oak Crest Elementary Schools. One year into retirement, she started volunteering her time at Oak Crest.

"Just got so bored,” she said about retirement. She thought she would come by the school just three days a week.

"I saw that they weren't making the gains that I wanted them to make and of course the repetition is important and then the pandemic hit. So I just started doing an extra day and an extra day and make it like a job. It's great,” Crawford said.

Crawford said while she sees the benefits her students are having, she gets just as much in return.

"Just seeing the kids, it makes me smile. It makes me get up in the morning,” she said.

Crawford volunteers Monday through Friday, and tutors six or seven students a week.

"I think I'm gonna be back next year if they'll let me come,” she said.

Now retirement is spent making precious memories with grandchildren, and making lessons last a lifetime.