Parent Crew Spotlight: Natalie Wong

Please meet our September Volunteer spotlight: Natalie Wong!!

A math-geek at heart, passionate about the educational world, with a deep love of the outdoors I am thrilled to be part of the REMS community.  
I was born in South Africa, and moved over to the States while a teenager, settling in Florida for a while. My family chose Florida because there was decent surfing and no earthquakes (apparently hurricanes weren’t a blip).  Florida is also where I met my husband, David. He is an outstanding chef, and a tenacious engineer. 
We moved to Colorado a couple years ago, with the desire to get outside more often. And how serendipitous that our children landed in REMS!  Lilian (4th grade) has discovered her passion for rock-hopping, and Jonah (1st grade) is in awe that dinosaurs roamed the very land we now live on. 
I taught high school and college mathematics for 12 years, before going part-time to allow for better balance within our family dynamics. Now I get to do things like design a science lab for elementary kids or belay for rock-climbing weeks.  I am currently serving at the SAC chair, learning a lot (and being so appreciative) of what goes on behind the scenes of REMS.  
Volunteering at REMS has been revolutionary for us as a family.  Why? Because it has provided the opportunity to rub shoulders with teachers, staff, and fellow volunteers who are selfless, wise, and genuine. We need more of that in our lives. There is a known positive link between parents volunteering and school success. I’ve experienced this as a teacher and a parent. 
I cannot teach elementary subjects (that is not my gifting), but I can certainly lend my hand and support the experts who do the teaching day in and day out.  I am utterly grateful for the chance to volunteer at my children’s school, and to do my part for the REMS Crew.

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