Volunteers are a treasure to classroom teachers. Especially those who are able to embrace a few basic guidelines.
1. Commit to a specific day of the week and time that you will be available to the classroom. This provides the teacher with the necessary details for planning small groups or 1:1 student lists for you.
2. Arrive early. Plan to come a few minutes early to acquaint yourself with the activity you will be guiding. That way you will be able to gather needed supplies and materials before your activity begins and you won’t take valuable time away from your activity doing the ‘gathering’.
3. Provide your own substitute. Emergencies arise, illness creeps in, but the classroom teacher is counting on you. Have a friend, neighbor or relative you can call on to fill-in for you. If that is not possible, contact the teachers ASAP so changes can be made before your appointed work time begins.
4. Keep an activity in your pocket. Come prepared for change. Carry a simple game, book, map, or activity related to your classroom topic. It can be used if you have extra time, a shortened time, missing materials, etc.
5. Know you are appreciated. Classrooms are busy places with activities shifting and students moving around. The teacher may not always see you arrive or leave the room, but be assured, you are appreciated and leave the teacher knowing students have gained a little something extra from you presence.
Looking for more ideas? Check my website, my earlier blogs and my book, Educating America: 101 Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms. Plus, send me your ideas for volunteers. We need to share our resources and work together to provide the best for our students. Looking forward to hearing from you!