By Brandon Conda, Words Alive Storytelling Intern
Words Alive is excited to honor Debbie Boyd as our Read Aloud Program Volunteer of the Year! Volunteers such as Debbie have been essential in making stories come alive for students at Title I elementary schools throughout San Diego County.
Debbie’s journey with Words Alive began in 2013 when she volunteered with Rolling Readers before the program merged with Words Alive to become our Read Aloud Program. A retired San Diego Sheriff’s Detective, she has dedicated her career to public service, with a special passion for prevention and education. She previously taught DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for a decade, believing strongly in the power of early intervention to shape positive futures.
Now, let’s hear from Debbie about her experience with Words Alive!
How did you first get involved with Words Alive and the Read Aloud Program?
I had a friend who was already volunteering, and I was inspired to join. Teaching DARE as a deputy sheriff was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I saw firsthand how education can shape lives. Volunteering with Words Alive was a natural extension of my passion for prevention and mentorship.
What inspired you to become a volunteer reader, and what keeps you coming back?
The smiles and hugs from the kids make it all worthwhile! I know that promoting literacy helps reduce crime, and as someone who spent years in law enforcement, that’s incredibly important to me. Every time I see a student’s excitement about a book, I know I’m making a difference.
Is there a particular moment or student interaction that stands out to you?
Absolutely. The morning after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, a 4th-grade student I had read to two years earlier approached me at recess. He remembered me and recited a gun safety lesson I had taught him through the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program: “Stop, Don’t Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult.” It warmed my heart to know he had retained that lesson and that it had stuck with him for years. Preventing gun violence has always been important to me, and this moment reinforced how vital early education is.
How do you think the Read Aloud Program makes a difference in children’s lives?
Literacy is a powerful tool for crime prevention and personal growth. Being able to provide children with books fosters a love of reading that can change the trajectory of their lives. Reading opens doors, and I’m grateful to be a part of that journey for so many students.
As you transition out of in-person volunteering, what do you hope your legacy will be with Words Alive?
I have always aimed to inspire my students. Every year, I read One Giant Leap about Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11, as well as books about Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space. Since most of my students were Hispanic, I wanted them to see role models who looked like them and know they could achieve anything. I also made reading fun by wearing costumes to match the books I read—whether it was an astronaut suit, a judge’s robe for Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx, or a superhero outfit for Barack Obama’s Of Thee I Sing. I hope my students will always remember that reading is an adventure.
Books & Recommendations
What book are you currently reading?
I loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
Do you have any book recommendations you’d like to share?
One of my all-time favorites is "Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx" by Jonah Winter. It’s an inspiring story that I loved sharing with my students.
As Debbie moves to Minnesota, she hopes to find another fulfilling volunteer opportunity like Words Alive. She reflects on her time with the program with immense gratitude, noting that sometimes, she felt she got more out of volunteering than the students did. Debbie’s impact on the children she read to, and the Words Alive community as a whole, will be remembered for years to come.
Thank you, Debbie, for your years of service and dedication to fostering a love of reading in young minds!