Area Elementary School Starts Volunteer Program Geared Toward Dads

Larry Smith is an imposing figure. The 51-year-old keeps his baseball cap pulled low, a pair of sunglasses perennially covering his eyes. Tattoos spill out the ends of his short sleeve t-shirt. Smith’s arms aren’t exactly bulging, but they’re solid like tree trunks. A deconstructed American flag twists and turns down Smith’s left arm. The right arm is adorned with a bald eagle holding a scroll in its talons. The scroll is a list, a long one, of countries Smith served in during the military.

Smith’s voice is an auditory match for his physical presence. His deep baritone is soothing and intimidating. Smith’s commanding presence is both his natural personality, and the result of 12 years in the Marines and 16 years in the Army National Guard.

The contrast between the broad-shouldered six-foot Smith and the elementary school students doing math with him at a table is striking. The difference is made even more stark because Smith is wearing a bright yellow Watch DOGS shirt.

The group of 4^th graders are reviewing how to do complex math equations. Smith goes over the steps using a whiteboard and a marker. He patiently answers questions, offers encouragement, and occasionally reminds the students that they need to be working instead of chatting with each other.

“I probably give a thousand knuckle bumps and high fives throughout the day,” said Smith.

The Tumwater native is a regular volunteer at Littlerock Elementary School in the Tumwater School District as part of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program.

“It [Watch DOGS] was designed and developed by educators, parents, and guardians with the goal of getting father figures into schools,” said Littlerock Principal Tamara York.

York started as a 4th grade teacher at nearby Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in 2017. It’s here where she first learned of Watch DOGS. She helped launch the program at Peter G. before moving to Littlerock as principal in the fall of 2024.

“I actually talked about the program during my interview to be principal,” said York. “It’s a great way to engage families and build community.”

York worked with a pair of teachers and Littlerock’s Parent Teacher Organization to get the program up and running at the school. She hosted a community meeting in February 2025. A group of roughly 50 men, mostly dads, showed up on a cold, wet, winter evening to learn more.

Interested dads (caregivers and family members can also participate) signed up to volunteer.

“One of the great things about this program is that volunteers spend an entire day at the school,” said York.

York devises a schedule for the day based on need and whether a teacher requested extra assistance. Watch DOGS float around the school. At one point they may be helping students with their reading, while at another point they’re lending a hand during recess.

Christy Schock is a 4th grade teacher at Littlerock. She’s been teaching for a total of 15 years. Shock returned to teaching five years ago following a break to raise a family and do the bookkeeping for the family business.

“Teaching has been in my bones since I can remember,” she said.

Schock is grateful for the program and the individualized attention that comes with having more support in the classroom.

“I think it’s been really helpful, especially with math,” said Schock. “It’s been great to get kids out on whiteboards practicing math concepts with a Watch DOGS volunteer.”

Supporting students is at the core of the program and that can look different depending on the situation.

“I think it’s absolutely essential to have parents and caregivers in the classroom,” said Schock. “I think it plays a big role in the success of our students, not only in their academic learning, but there’s just something about being able to sit with an adult and be seen and be heard.”

Elementary education professionals, whether that’s staff, teachers, or even volunteers, trends toward women. The same is true at Littlerock.

“To see men taking the time to come out and do things in school, I think, gives kids a different perspective,” said Smith.

It seems fitting that the burly Smith spent twenty years as a juvenile probation officer. His outsized presence commands attention, but underneath that is a loving father—one who takes time to coach youth sports and learn new ways to solve math problems so that he can better help his son.

“Kids are definitely our future,” he said. “They need positive influences and people that can be there just to talk to them.”

Smith credits his coaches for helping him succeed.

“My dad taught me what not to be, but I had coaches who were there and made me who I am today,” he said.

York hopes to expand the Watch DOGS program during the next school year. The response from students, teachers, and volunteers is overwhelmingly positive. There’s been an unintended side effect to the program.

“A lot of volunteers in the program have approached me and said something like, ‘wow, I have a new appreciation for teachers’ or, ‘it’s been really helpful to see the full student experience,’” said York. “I think that insight is a great way to build community and find ways together to support our students.”