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FARMINGTON — Linda Smith is known as “Nanny” by Kindergarten students at W.G. Mallett School where she has volunteered three days a week for the past 11 years.
“I can’t seem to get out of Kindergarten,” Smith said.
But, she doesn’t really want to.
Smith, 71, adores children and animals. She also enjoys working with Kindergarten teacher Mindy Kenney. They work so well together Smith says she knows what Kenny is going to do before she does it.
“She does so well with the children. All six Kindergarten teachers do well,” Smith said.
Eleven years ago, Smith was taking care of David McDonald and his older sister Sarah. They came to her home and called her Nanny.
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When David started Kindergarten, she followed him to school, she said. She wanted to stay with him. McDonald will be a junior in high school next year, she added.
He was her last child to care for and she also wanted to do something, she said.
What keeps her going is the hugs.
“I’ve learned so much. I know who needs a special hug, who needs a little extra,” she said. “If they are not acting like they should there is a reason. I’m old enough so a lot feel like they can talk to me.
But, it works both ways, Smith said.
“It has made me a better person, more understanding,” she said.
“We are so lucky to have her,” Kenney said of Smith. “So many kids need positive interaction with an adult in a caring, safe setting. Her demeanor is so caring and genuine.”
Smith does many background things – things that take me away from teaching, Kenney added.
“Whether she’s working with the kids or watering the plants, I can’t put in to words how much it means for her to be here.”
Smith says she will stay until Kenney tells her to leave.
She works with the students from 8:30 to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She admits it is difficult to leave each class of kids for the summer but she will meet them in the hallways as they move on to another grade next year.
There will also be new students to help come fall.
“Whenever I hear someone say Nanny in a store, I’ll go right to them even though they are often with their own grandmothers,” she said of students who remember her and are excited to see her.
“Smith is outstanding. She is also dedicated, kind and committed to Mrs. Kenney and her classroom,” Pauline Rodrigue, volunteer coordinator, said. “We are very lucky to have her. I’m very lucky in that I have many committed volunteers and we couldn’t do without them.”
Linda Loring Smith grew up in Farmington where her father was general manager for Knowlton & McCleary Printers. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1963 and then babysat and worked for Knowlton & McCleary for a while, she said.
She married Lloyd Smith. They have shared 51-years together, she said. They have two sons, Matt and Gregory, three grandsons and five great-grandchildren.
She likes any animal and keeps a rabbit, dog, two cats. She also feeds the birds, squirrels and chipmunks.
“They all eat well,” she added.
Smith has gardens and a bounty of flowers adorn her home.
“I used to cross stitch but I can’t sit down too long,” she said. “I’d rather be doing something and be active.”
Smith is also a member of the Farmington Falls Union Baptist Church.
Although willing to talk about the children and volunteering at Mallett School, Smith humbly raised concerns about talking too much about herself or her dedication to working with the kids.
