Lois Epperson can’t wait until school starts again.
Each week, she spends time at all three schools, for about 10 hours a week. Epperson helps shelve books, puts the plastic coverings on them and occasionally helps check out students. She also mentors students through the Positive Pal program at the elementary school.
Her 13 years of dedication volunteering in the school district’s libraries recently earned her the Eudora Schools Foundation’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
Volunteering has been just as beneficial to her as it has been to the district, Epperson said. It’s given her responsibility and purpose, while getting to spend time in schools.
She was a long-time elementary teacher before retiring and moving to Eudora to be closer to family in 2010. Previously, Epperson taught first grade for 37 years, 10 of which were in Kansas City and the other 27 in Oklahoma.
“I needed somewhere to get out to make friends again. My kids were grown. I didn’t have any connection,” Epperson said. “And so it got me out in the community meeting people and making friends.”
Epperson was in search of something to tie in her long career as a teacher. Volunteering in the library did just that, and she hasn’t looked back since she started 13 years ago.
“Pretty much that whole first year of retirement, I sat in my recliner and cried,” Epperson said. “So I think they’ve done more for me than I will ever do for them. It’s been a real joy to me to get out and meet new people.”
The library is a place Epperson can relive her teaching years, while providing much needed help to the district, she said. Plus, new books to read are a bonus.
“Another real advantage of being at the high school is I get to choose books,” Epperson said. “She allows me first pick, after I put mylar on them, I can take them home and read them.”
Epperson has designated herself as the library babysitter if Gretchen Schreiner, middle and high school librarian, is out of the building.
“I call it babysitting the library because pretty much I just sit there to keep books from walking out,” Epperson said.
Schreiner became one of Epperson’s close friends. The two have created a close bond, and Schreiner said Epperson provides wisdom and life advice to her.
Schreiner nominated Epperson for the award because of the longevity of her dedication to the library and the students.
“She remembers what it’s like to be an education, and so we just have so much in common to talk about and to learn from each other, truly,” Schreiner said. “I just feel like she’s so brave, because you realize how many people aren’t taking that next step to go out and become active.”
Coming from an education background is also a huge asset to the library, Schreiner said. Epperson loves interacting with the kids and is happy to still work in education all these years later, she said.
“I think everybody in the school loves Lois, like everybody comes through and talks with her,” Schreiner said. “She’s met a lot of different people and a lot of different kids.”
Elementary school librarian Jill Dodge agreed Epperson was an asset to the libraries because of her teaching background and kindness with the kids.
“I think absolutely, even though she wasn’t teaching anymore, she loves being around kids and just being in the schools, and she just had this kindness about her,” Dodge said.
Dodge loves hearing stories from Epperson’s teaching days and feels like Epperson is one of the teachers who retired but wants to hold onto teaching.
“I think Lois is one of those [teachers] that just needs to be in the schools and around kids still,” Dodge said.
Epperson recognized there were a lot of people who deserve the award but was honored to receive it.
Shanda Hurla, executive director of Eudora Schools Foundation, said the award started in 2017 as a way to shoutout community members who give their time, talent and passion to students in the district.
Each spring, a survey asks teachers and staff to nominate somehow who has been a great volunteer during the school year.
“Throughout the years of my time being with the School Foundation and being involved with the school district, Lois has just been giving and helping,” Hurla said. “So she is just tireless, and just amazing.”
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].
