News Releases
May Volunteer of the Month: Shailaja Topgi, Volunteer, Virginia Lake School
May 1, 2007
“Volunteer work has given a new meaning to my life,” says Shailaja Topgi, who volunteers every day in fourth- and first-grade classrooms at Virginia Lake School. “Making a difference in the lives of children gives me great satisfaction.”
Her nominator describes her as “dedicated, passionate, and committed to doing her best to help Virginia Lake teachers and students.” For the past three years, she has dedicated hundreds of hours to the school. “Shailaja is always giving 110 percent of herself during her volunteer hours (and hours) at Virginia Lake. She deserves many accolades and honors for her excellent work and dedication, and for all she does to make Virginia Lake and Virginia Lake students be their best,” her nominator said.
Shailaja was born in India. Although she wanted to study and get a college degree, at that time in India, girls were not allowed to continue their studies. This experience left her with a fierce determination to help others get the best possible education—first, her own four children, and now that they are grown, she wants to help other children learn. In fact, she’s now pursuing a teacher certificate in early childhood education at Harper College.
“My children are grown up. Now it is my time to help the community, and the best way is to do volunteer work,” she says. “I want to help and encourage kids to study. The first time I saw Virginia Lake School, I liked it. It is part of District 15, where all my children studied, and it is close to my home. That is why I started my volunteer work there.”
“She is a bright, intelligent, hard-working volunteer,” her nominator said. “She works well with students and on independent projects designed to help students.” Shailaja is commended for her excellent management and organizational skills, her perseverance, commitment, and competence.
After marrying in India, she moved with her husband to Paris, where he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry. Their first two daughters, Anupama and Snehaata, were born in Paris. The family moved to New York, then Texas where daughter Shobha and son Jeevan were born. They came to the Chicago area in 1994, and with her belief in making sure her children had a good education, they moved to Palatine because of District 15 schools. Her children attended Jane Addams, Winston Campus–Junior High, and Walter R. Sundling Junior High. The two oldest daughters are graduates of the Illinois Math and Science Academy, where Shobha is currently a student, and Jeevan is a student at Palatine High School. Shailaja’s husband, Dr. Ravindra Topgi, is principal scientist at Abbott Laboratories.
Shailaja teaches her native language, Kannada, at Indian school; cooks for the Indian community; makes costumes for performances; plays the veena, an Indian stringed instrument; enjoys sketching, painting, and all kinds of crafts; and loves to garden.
Shailaja will be recognized at the May 9, 2007, Board of Education meeting, to be held at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, at 7 p.m.
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