First Lady Delivers Keynote Address at Opening Meeting for Learning Leaders
By Marylena Mantas

First Lady Laura Bush joined approximately 2,000 educators, volunteers and political officials at the Back to School Opening Meeting of Learning Leaders, where she delivered the keynote address.

“Children make life important,” said the First Lady, who received numerous standing ovations at New York’s Madison Square Garden. “Right now more than ever parents, teachers need to give more attention and love to the children of America.”

The event, coming after the attack on the World Trade Center, served as the kick-off event of the new academic year for Learning Leaders, an organization that recruits and trains approximately 10,000 volunteers who provide support and services to more than 150,000 NYC public school students.

“Countless blessing were revealed from the September 11th tragedy. You are one of them,” said Ms. Bush. She thanked the organization’s volunteers for supporting teachers while they are doing all that’s possible to comfort their students.

“After September 11th our lives have changed forever, but not our role as educators,” said the First Lady, who has served as a teacher and librarian for many years and who has continuously advocated for educational issues.

More than 7,000 parent volunteers will work as Learning Leaders to serve NYC students this academic year. Other volunteers include community members, corporate volunteers, college students and retired and senior volunteers. The program, which has been in existence since 1956, seeks to “help New York City public school students gain the educational skills and self-esteem they need to become successful learners and productive community members.”

“Every child that God puts in our path is a child we should help,” said Winifred Muldrow, a grandparent volunteer at PS 214 in the Bronx, who urged the audience to “remember that children are our future.” A volunteer since 1999 and the mother of 11 children, Muldrow added that she finds that being a volunteer is “one of the greatest things that happened” in her life.

“I believe in Learning Leaders. I have seen first hand the work that they do,” said Shelia Krugman, a teacher at PS 130 in Brooklyn. “They give students that extra one-on-one help that teachers often can’t provide.”

The patriotic spirit grew as the audience joined special guest Pete Seeger in singing “This Land is Your Land.”

“Our meeting comes at a time of great tragedy for our city,” said Carol Kellermann, executive director of Learning Leaders. “We all have a part to play. Our responsibility is to keep doing what we have been doing. Your presence today and the contribution you will make this year will be an essential part of the city’s recovery.”

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