WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH VOLUNTEERS

Understanding the volunteer’s background
Learn about his/her educational background.
Become familiar with the extent of the volunteer’s knowledge of the community.
Be aware that school may be a new environment for the volunteer.
Recognize the volunteer’s desire to help.
Become familiar with the volunteer’s previous experience with children.
Providing for the volunteer’s needs
Make certain that the volunteer is aware of the location of restrooms, office, library, cafeteria, and nurse's office.
Provide the volunteer with information related to the schedule and the school year calendar.
Provide space for the volunteer to put personal belongings (e.g., coat, purse).
Provide space for the volunteer in the classroom.
Exchange e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers with the volunteer.
Inform the volunteer of the fire drill procedure.
Involving the volunteer in the classroom
Plan for appropriate introduction of the volunteer to the students.
Inform the volunteer of the classroom curriculum.
Provide a consistent time to discuss the volunteer’s involvement, share experiences, respond to concerns, and give feedback.
Provide support to the volunteer directly and in front of students.
Let the volunteer know you recognize his/her contributions.
Note areas in which the volunteer needs to develop in order to be more effective in the classroom and share this input with him/her.
Decide whether the volunteer is to come when there is a substitute teacher and inform the volunteer of this decision.
Developed by the Senior Citizen School Volunteer Program, Western Pennsylvania Gerontology Center