Every morning, Phillis Jones goes to school. When she enters Vernetta Cowans’ kindergarten class at Benton Elementary, Jones hangs up her coat and sits at her desk with the rest of the class. But Jones isn’t like the other students, who will spend just one year with Ms. Cowans.
Jones is 81, and this is her 10th year in Cowans’ class. Jones is the foster grandparent for the entire kindergarten class, where she helps the students learn to read and write and assists Cowans when needed. But she’s there for more than just academic support: She also provides students with a little extra love.
This film is part of a video series for the Columbia Missourian newspaper. It is accompanied by photos an...