How to Volunteer in the Classroom

Schools often require parent volunteers to help with a myriad of tasks. Volunteering in the classroom provides a terrific window into your child's day, their friends and learning environment. It's well worth the time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

How to Volunteer in the Classroom

1. Be on time. If you're going to help out, be there when you're needed. Showing up 15 minutes late is disruptive to the class, as the teacher will need to break from her lecture to speak with you. Volunteers are usually asked to arrive at a set break-time in the day. This way, the teacher is already transitioning the class, so your arrival is not disruptive to the teaching process.

2. Check your ego. You'll be asked to do a variety of things, from filing graded papers to making copies to explaining what a penny looks like. You might be a well educated attorney outside the class, but in the class you're a helper to the teacher.

3. Maintain confidentiality. You might be seeing grades of other students; you might be correcting their work. Don't gossip about what happens with the kids or what kinds of marks they're receiving. It's not only inappropriate, but it can be hurtful if the child or family hears of it through the grapevine.

4. Let the teacher teach. If you're asked to help out in a specific fashion, do so. Don't reinterpret what the lesson is according to how you were taught. Times and curriculum have changed, so use the new lingo and methods that the class is used to.

5. Have fun. Soon enough your child won't want to see you at school, so make sure you enjoy the moment when your child's face lights up as they see you walk into their classroom.

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