Meet Dave Olson, a recently retired Special Education teacher with a passion for supporting students of all abilities. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he began his career as a school bus driver before moving to New York to attend the Bank Street Graduate School of Education — a transformative experience that led him to a lifelong career in special education. He spent twenty-nine years in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District, working in both high schools within the Special Services Department. In addition to his teaching career, Dave has dedicated many summers to tutoring and working in various camps, enriching the lives of countless students.

GrandPals has brought me so much happiness. I spent about forty years in classrooms, and (most years) was grateful that that got to be my life. Then — boom — retirement. The part of it being a job and all the joys of relatively inadequate administrators is what wears ya down. It’s the kids and the craft which gets you up at 6:00 and which holds meaning. GrandPals is showing me a way to have my cake and eat it too. I get to enjoy the pure joy of reading to kids who want you to read to them just cause. I get my cake and eat it too.

And you are gracious and warm and welcoming and kind and have a brilliant program of which l am so proud to be a part of. I so look forward to each session and the time flies.