Meet the Grandpa Figure Bringing Joy to Kids as a Lunch/Recess Associate

He’s not a teacher or an administrator, but Doug Nehls has found his dream job at one of our elementary schools as a lunch/recess associate.

“We’re here to help the kids, but I get just as much out of it as the kids do,” Nehls says.

Joining the Waukee CSD Team

“I got out of high school a long time ago, back in 1970, and spent four years in the United States Navy working on airplanes. When I got out, I got my government license and spent 47 years working in aviation maintenance, business, and management. After retiring, I took this job. I have to say, this is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Nehls says.

Outside of his professional career, Nehls has been around kids his whole life. He currently enjoys spending time with his 10 grandkids and three great-grandkids. He also spent several years of his adult life coaching youth sports.

“Coaching sports for all the years helped me learn patience, understanding kids’ differences, and giving kids the special attention they need,” he notes.

Once he got to retirement, he missed spending time with kids. When he saw the opportunity to be a lunch/recess associate at Grant Ragan Elementary — he eagerly applied. After interviewing with the assistant principal, he landed the job. Nehls reports to work each school day from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“A year and a half later. Like I said, it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I really, truly love this work,” Nehls adds.

Finding Joy at Work

During lunch, Nehls and the other associates help open food containers, get water, and dismiss for recess. But, his favorite part happens in the moments between those job duties.

“I think the most important thing at lunchtime, and this is for me, is communicating with the kids. It’s important to not just be here, but to be part of their day — to sit and talk to them and listen to them, to answer their questions honestly and truly listen to what they have to say.”

He adds, “The kids like to tell you about their home life, holidays, trick-or-treating — all those sorts of things. And I like to sit and talk to them and ask them how they’re doing, how their day is going, and things like that.”

Nehls says this job also encouraged him to take it upon himself to learn something new — a language.

Well, when I first started here a year and a half ago, many kids spoke Spanish. So, I decided to take some Spanish classes at DMACC because I wanted to be able to help the kids — if I could. I have completed my first semester and I’m working on my second semester. We have a kindergartner who came here only speaking Spanish, and she has been learning English very well. I’ve been able to communicate with her, which has been great and helps me,” he shares.

Experiencing Recess with Students

While he loves just about every part of his job, he says it’s not always easy to stay warm outside while monitoring the students at recess.

“I have an insulated flight suit that I inherited from the United States Navy that I wear outside and, of course, hat and gloves. You try to be prepared but some days it’s challenging. The kids do pretty well. The kindergartners don’t like it when it’s very, very cold. But we do OK,” he explains.

Moving around with the students helps Nehls stay warm.

“I do play with them, and I know they like to get pushed on the swings and things like that. The hardest part about being outside is when somebody comes up and says, ‘My friend just ran away. They don’t want to play with me today.’ That’s hard because you can’t make somebody play with them. So, you tell them, ‘Well, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and find something else to do.’ Or, ‘Hey, if you want to walk with me for a while and just hang out.’ That works pretty well. Usually after about five minutes, they’re off someplace playing with somebody else anyway.

Nehls says he knows how important recess time is to these young students.

“Recess is their social time. It’s a time for them to be together. I think learning outside is about being social and being kind. That’s why we’re here as associates: to guide them, teach kindness, and help them understand what’s really important,” he says.

Leaving School Feeling Fulfilled

Whenever Nehls leaves for the day he says he’s always got a smile on his face and a lot of love in his heart.

“I love these kids. I get so much from them. The love they share and the love we have here, it’s just it’s family. It truly is family at this school,” he shares.