Mr. K mentoring a new generation after 40 years in the classroom

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer
    GUILFORD — “Mr. K can you help me?” is still a familiar refrain heard by retired elementary school teacher Robert Keniston, of Dover-Foxcroft. Keniston, who spent 32 years teaching third- and fourth- graders, is now

mentoring young students as a foster grandparent. Keniston and his wife, Raelene, are two of 85 foster grandparents volunteering in the Penquis-sponsored program.
    Mr. Keniston spends his days tutoring students, assisting them with their college essays and helping them with their homework at Piscataquis Community Secondary School.
    The Penquis Foster Grandparents Program is designed to match a willing senior volunteer in an educational setting. The foster grandparents come from a variety of backgrounds, but with one main objective: to provide love and support for school-aged students.
Observer photo/Bill Pearson
    SCHOOL TALK — Robert Keniston, left, discusses his role as a foster grandparent with Penquis program director Maria Staples, center, and Piscataquis Community Secondary School guidance director Eric Steeves. Keniston is one of 85 volunteers in program designed to pair an income eligible senior over 55 years old with  a school. Staples is one of two Penquis employees who oversees the foster grandparent program which has a presence in 14 counties. Steeves described Keniston as being a “Godsend” in his efforts in helping students with their school work and college applications.   
     While the Kenistons are teachers, a career in education is not required. Penquis is looking for income eligible seniors aged 55 and over who can participate at least 15 hours per week in the school and want to give something back to the community. The volunteers work mostly in a classroom setting assisting the teacher. Their role is to provide a caring and loving presence within the classroom. The foster grandparents serve as a role model, mentor and friend to needy children who may not have a grandparent in their lives on a regular basis.
    “We are looking for volunteers who want to provide love and support for children. They guide children in a really important time in their lives,” said Maria Staples, a Penquis Foster Grandparent program coordinator. “They give comfort and love that sets a child on the path for a successful future.”
    Mr. K can usually be found in the Piscataquis Community Secondary School guidance office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. He works with students who need assistance with a homework assignment, school project or someone who needs someone with a sympathetic ear to tell their problems.
    Most of the Foster Grandparents are called “grampie or grammie,” but Keniston comes by what his former students called him “Mr. K.”
    “In the elementary schools, the volunteers are called grampie, but with the older kids calling me that sounds too darkish for them,” Mr. K said. “One main difference between a volunteer and a teacher is that we never discipline the child. Our role is to provide love and support and leave discipline up to the teacher.”
    Mr. K works with a variety of students either one-on-one or in a classroom setting. He will wander around a classroom giving assistance to any student who needs help, even though school officials placed him in the room to work with one or two in particular.
    “It’s totally confidential even though they assign me to work with a certain student,” Mr. Keniston said. “I wander around the room and stop to provide help to all the students. I still keep an eye on my assigned student to make sure they receive the needed love and support.”
    After his retirement, Keniston worked for the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Committee and as an education technician. He decided to become a foster grandparent at the urging of his wife who been involved for three years.    
    “I guess I just have chalk dust in my veins,” said Mr. Keniston after his return to the classroom. “My wife just loves it and she got me to volunteer as well. It has been a wonderful experience to share my time with these students.”
    While this is Mr. K’s first year in the program, Mrs. Keniston is in her third year. She worked as an elementary school teacher for five years before giving it up to raise their family. Raelene Keniston enjoys her work as a foster grandparent. She appreciates the opportunity to work with the elementary students who are the same age as her own grandchildren.
    “I’m a grandmother, but I don’t see my grandchildren often. I work with kids my two granddaughters’ ages,” she said. “I read to them and work on special projects or they just come and sit with me. Sometimes it’s about just being there if they just want to talk.”
    For Mr. K, his reward has been seeing the students’ faces when their collaboration results in the student achieving their goals. He recalls working with one student on her college essay. The student informed Mr. K later about the results.
    “She stopped me in the hallway and said ‘Mr. K guess what? I got accepted.’ That was my reward,”he said.
    PCSS Guidance Director Eric Steeves credited Mr. Keniston for making his department run smoothly during a challenging time. Keniston has been able to work with students on college applications while school officials dealt with issues such as bullying and student schedules.
    “He’s just been a Godsend to our department,” Steeves said. “With his English background and experience in drama, he’s been invaluable to our students. He’s been invaluable to them in working on their college essays and applications.”
    Penquis provides their volunteers with training, supervision and a weekly stipend. They also cover the costs of background checks, fingerprinting and other security requirements mandated by the schools. Penquis is looking for more volunteers to assist in the foster grandparent program and other programs geared toward seniors. For more information about volunteering call 1-800-215-4942.
    Penquis sponsors programs in every county except York and Cumberland.