As a classroom volunteer and board member at Willowwind School, Sarah Richardson is a loyal devotee of the school where she sends her children.

What makes the school such a special place, she says, is that her dedication is mirrored in so many others associated with the institution.

"The kind of energy and passion I give Willowwind is also given by a number of other people," Richardson said. "The generosity of time, money and ideas from our community is truly overwhelming."

Richardson said her interest in the school began when she saw the ardor displayed by acquaintances whose children who attended Willowwind, an independent elementary school in Iowa City.

"I loved my schooling but it wasn't the same kind of passion I saw in these people. So we signed our daughter up right around the time she was born."

Richardson has volunteered with Willowwind since enrolling her daughter, and credits the school's success to a low student-to-teacher ratio, a focus on individualized learning and a family atmosphere.

"Those are things that public schools do to the best of their ability, but because of our low student numbers, we're able to do that more," she said. "There's this forever-family feeling about Willowwind that affirms the children and provides a sense of continuity as Willowwind grows and prospers."

Richardson also stressed the learning she experiences as a volunteer.

"You go in and work with these children who are making amazing progress in reading, or they're exited about a bug, or they've just figured out how to add two-digit numbers," she said. "Watching children's minds click and have the excitement that we all should be still having in learning but sometimes forget to have, makes it all worthwhile. There's nothing like being with a bunch of kids to sort of help you figure out what the World's about and why we're all here. It's just incredibly inspiring."

- Shawn Flickinger