How to Volunteer in a Grade School Classroom

Over my ten-year teaching career I have become very dependent on my classroom volunteers. Volunteering in your elementary schooler’s classroom can be a good way to be a part of his or her learning process. All you need is some preparation, spare time and permission from your child’s school. Follow these steps to find out how you could volunteer, and remember that volunteering is a privilege and not a right so be sure to stay on the teacher's good side. Do not make you volunteer time in class into a weekly parent/teacher conference.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Express your desire to volunteer in the classroom.

2. Decide on the frequency and duration mutually. Coming in everyday is usually not beneficial to your child.

3. Inform the school authorities about any special skills like painting, performing arts or elocution that you might have. Talk to them about ways in which you plan to utilize your skill for the benefit of the students.

4. Meet the teacher and discuss how you can help the teacher. Think of how you can contribute some "edutainment," or education and entertainment.

5. Get basic information like the strengths of the class and names of the children.

6. Work out a schedule with the teacher. This will help you utilize your time and resources best.

7. Call ahead if you are going to be late or not show up at all. If a teacher is expecting you to come help and you do not show up or are late you can ruin that entire block of time for the class.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get into an argument with the school authorities. Respect their decision.
• Never break a commitment. It creates a bad impressions with the staff.