MARYSVILLE — Retirement hasn’t slowed down John Bloom.
During the school year every Tuesday and Thursday, Bloom begins the day at Garfield Elementary in Everett, where he volunteers his time coaching Math Olympiad teams and working with advanced math students.
Lunch is eaten in his car before he heads to Kellogg Marsh Elementary in Marysville, where chess players greet him.
Mondays and Wednesdays are spent creating math worksheets, with help from his wife, Marguerite, and preparing lessons.
“This is a man who gives back,” said Debbie Whitfield, a special education teacher at Kellogg Marsh.
Bloom, who comes from a family of teachers, was honored with this year’s Golden Acorn award by the Marysville PTA.
When he started volunteering in the schools, about 15 years ago, he wanted to work with students to improve reading skills.
But what the schools needed was someone to lead Math Olympiad teams. Despite no formal math background, Bloom accepted the challenge.
He had “to be ready to engage young students hungry for challenging math,” he said.
Years later, Whitfield suggested another undertaking, this time working with her special-needs students — many of whom are on the autism spectrum. That led to Bloom forming the chess club at Kellogg Marsh last year.
Bloom delved into research, learning that chess can be a form of therapy and also help autistic children learn.
“Chess isn’t for all autistic spectrum children,” said Whitfield, “but for some discovering chess can be a life-changing experience.”
Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @lizzgior.
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