Woman in the Wings is a monthly feature about a woman who lives her life not in the spotlight, but behind the scenes, where the applause never seems to reach. Women in the Wings shine as brightly as any star; they just don’t take center stage. Meet an unofficial Dutch diplomat, a kind and caring mentor who devotes her open heart and helping hands to help the children of strangers.
 Anja Wijnen
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By Pat Lawrence
Many guests bestow a small gift when they arrive, then bustle off to enjoy their visit. Anja Wijnen brought an abundance of gifts, and has shared them generously twice a week for the past two years.
The former teacher from Holland is making the world, and most importantly the classroom, a better place for first graders at McKinley Elementary school as a volunteer teacher’s aide. Every Monday and Wednesday, Anja (her name is pronounced on-ya way-nen) helps first graders practice and understand the important lessons they must learn. She listens to them read, however haltingly, encourages their progress and praises their efforts. She works side by side with Jennifer Sisson, the first grade teacher, who says, “She does all the things that a paid teacher’s aide does, only without pay. She is simply invaluable.”
Anja works one-on-one or in small groups, mostly with reading and language, making sure kids stay caught up. “If they are sick and miss a day, or if they missed something in class, I can reteach it for them. Sometimes I can explain it a different way.”
Jennifer says, “If kids get behind, little by little it catches up with them. Anya gives them extra attention. She helps with the songs, and chants and cheers that encourage early literacy. She sings to them, and with them. She is there to listen and help.”
Sometime Anja also helps with craft projects “stuff teachers don’t have time to do”, she says, like dyeing Easter eggs for all three first grade classes. “I do those things at home. The time at school, I spend with the kids.”
Jennifer says, “I may share her now and then, but not much, and not for the learning part! Anja is an important part of helping these kids learn because she does contribute to making this a positive environment. And all kids can learn, all kids can thrive in a positive environment.”
A musical therapist in her home country of Holland and in Germany, Anja plays piano and guitar. In Europe, she worked with very young autistic children and with teenagers in a juvenile detention center. She also taught kindergarten while in Germany. Her husband works for Dupont. When they were transferred to Parkersburg, Anja says, “I couldn’t face being stuck behind four walls.” She first offered her assistance to the school her third grade daughter would attend. When they declined, a mutual friend introduced her to Jennifer, who didn’t hesitate a second.
“It’s been the very best arrangement. Volunteers are so important and Anja is exceptionally conscientious. If she must miss a day, she calls to let me know in advance. She is very careful with any possible confidential information and she does much more than anyone could expect. I know how much she cares about the children and the kids love her. If she takes a week off, they really miss her.”
Those times when she travels back to Holland, Anja says, “The children get out their map. They know all about Holland!” She has brought in books for the ones that are particularly interested, “They are always fascinated by the wooden shoes!” The first graders especially enjoyed the last time Anja brought her parents to class. “They came during strawberry season, so we brought strawberries for everyone.”
Anja gives special attention to the children who need it, and that can be many things in addition to learning skills. She has changed bandages, taken clothing home to wash, and tended hurt feelings and tender feet. Jennifer says, “This classroom is the cleanest and most caring environment some of these kids will be in.”
Anja is one of a very few volunteers not in the school their children attend, but she doesn’t mind. She says, “It’s fun. The teachers are nice and its a great school. The kids are about six years old. They need the extra attention and the caring.”
After the summer off, “just like the teachers!” Anya will be returning to her classroom. Jennifer and a swarm of new first graders will count on her kind, careful attention and her comforting presence all day, every Monday and Wednesday. It will be Anja’s third year as a volunteer teacher’s aide in Jennifer’s classroom and Jennifer couldn’t be happier to welcome her back. “I wish every class could have someone like Anja. She is priceless.”
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