Volunteer Spotlight on Kaitlynne Brock

If your child has ever recovered a coat, lunchbox, or water bottle from Taylor’s lost and found closet, it is likely that Kaitlynne Brock had something to do with this reunion.

In addition to managing the school’s lost and found closet, this busy mother of four helps out as a classroom parent in three different grades, volunteers with the PTA, and works with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

For the past two years, Kaitlynne has dedicated time each month to sift through and organize the school’s lost and found closet. She takes on the indelicate job of separating forgotten lunchboxes, books, water bottles and clothing items between those with name tags and those without and hand delivers them to their rightful owners.

She’s known to take some of the dirtiest clothing home to launder and run water bottles through the wash. And at the end of each quarter, she sets out any unclaimed belongings for one last look before donating them to charity.

Last year she created an online digital lost and found posted on the Taylor PTA website and a link is included on the Taylor community message sent out on Sundays.

Kaitlynne is masterful at making order out of chaos.

She has three students at Taylor: Grace, in kindergarten; Charlotte, in third and Everett in fourth grade. As the classroom parent for all three children, she’s an active classroom volunteer, and is often accompanied by her toddler, Lucy.

“Kaitlynne is a kind, hardworking room parent who generously gives her time and support to help our school run smoothly,” says Katy DeKraai, Taylor third grade teacher. “She is always ready to help with a smile on her face. The Taylor community is lucky to have her!”

In Emily Pardi’s fourth grade class, whether it’s drumming up donations of school supplies or organizing refreshments for a classroom party, Kaitlynne is quick with sending out an email or sign-up genius. This December, Kaitlynne helped Ms. Pardi prepare her room for the Winter Writers Celebration, going the extra mile with twinkle lights, decorations, and healthy winter-themed snacks that made the event feel special.

“Kaitlynne is amazing,” says Taylor kindergarten teach Amy Sowa. “She has been my room parent and is always very receptive to any request.” When the classroom recently needed to temporarily relocate, Kaitlynne was instrumental in setting up the new space while the heater got fixed.

What Kaitlynne says she most enjoys about volunteering at Taylor is being part of the day-to-day life of the school. To Kaitlynne, volunteering feels like a meaningful way to show her appreciation. “I enjoy seeing the kids, getting to know students across grades, and helping make the school a more enriching place.”