Using Parent and Community Classroom Volunteers
How to Organize and Train Adult Volunteers to Support K-12 Learning
Jan 25, 2009 Barbara Abromitis
Using parent or community volunteers to assist with classroom projects, ongoing instructional support, fundraising, and other specialized tasks is an effective way to build home-school connections that benefit all students. The following strategies will ensure an organized volunteer program, through which teachers can add a variety of enhanced learning opportunities to their classroom program.
Recruit Potential Volunteers
Develop a questionnaire that allows parents or community members to detail their hours of availability, the frequency with which they would like to volunteer, and their areas of expertise. Provide examples of the types of volunteering that are needed, but allow potential volunteers to suggest ways in which they could to contribute to classroom learning as well. Questionnaires may be distributed through the students, by email, or at a parent curriculum night. Community members may be reached by contacting civic organizations, churches, or other volunteer groups.
Organize Volunteer Contact Information
Develop a database of parent and community member contact information for those who are regularly available for tasks such as tutoring, and those who would prefer one-time project participation or background assistance such as chaperoning a field trip or raising funds for a special event. Be open to the suggestions of volunteers with specific expertise and consider how they may be included, too. For those who are interested in helping supply the classroom, use a classroom needs assessment to develop a wish list for them to use on their own.
Plan a Volunteer Schedule
Begin by filling the most pressing needs first. Regular volunteers, such as those who will be tutoring students, should start as soon as possible. As more volunteers are worked into lesson plans, make a master schedule of who comes when and distribute to all volunteers. Provide a substitute list as well, so that volunteers are able to find someone from among their peers who would be willing to fill in for them if necessary.
Provide Volunteer Training
Volunteer programs often fail because parents or community members don’t understand exactly what is expected of them. Take the time to train volunteers, either by providing written step-by-step instructions for the project, or by setting up a brief meeting before they begin to explain the expectations. Make sure that each time a volunteer comes there is something for them to do and all necessary materials are prepared.
Evaluate Volunteer Impact on Students
As the volunteers become involved, observe their interactions, review the schedule, and most importantly, ask them what they think is going well and what can be improved. Adjust the program as needed to ensure that the volunteers are having the desired impact on student learning, and that they feel they are contributing to the classroom.
Show Appreciation for Volunteers
Show your appreciation for volunteers by having students write notes to them, or by having a small celebration for them at the end of the year.
Making use of the time and expertise available through parents and community members makes good instructional sense and can build strong school-family connections. By taking the time to develop an organized volunteer program, teachers can take advantage of these assets and provide a wealth of learning opportunities for their students.
Further Reading
Batey, Carol. Parents Are Lifesavers: A Handbook for Parent Involvement in Schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 1996.
Boult, Betty. 176 Ways to Involve Parents: Practical Strategies for Partnering with Families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2006.
Epstein, Joyce & others. School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008.
Man Tutoring Boy at Table
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