Volunteering: Good for the student, the teacher and the parent
From popping popcorn to making bulletin boards, from shelving books to making photocopies, there are many ways to volunteer in and out of the classroom. Volunteering has many faces and benefits the student, the teacher and the parent.
Many volunteer to help the teacher free up some extra time.
“Mostly I volunteer because I know that the teachers have so much work that needs to be done and they have such little time to do it in,” Jennifer Duncan, Kearney mother of three, says. “Knowing that making some copies or shelving books gives that teacher some extra time to spend doing something else makes it worthwhile to me.”
Others volunteer to be around the students and be in the building where their child spends so much time.
“I volunteer in my kids' school because I enjoy getting to know the atmosphere of the building where my children are for most of the day. I love getting to know the teachers. I also get to see the other children in my child's grade and see how they interact with each other,” Amanda Jensen, Kearney mother of three, says. “I get a small glimpse into whom my child is choosing as friends and how they act around each other at school
Spending time at school can help both the student and the parent at the same time. “Working with small groups on reading or math skills helps build the confidence of the kids, and as a bonus, it helps the parent(s) understand/feel more comfortable to try study skills with their kids at home if they are struggling on reading, math, etc.,” Heather Renzelman, Hawthorne Elementary teacher, says.
Even if you cannot come to school to volunteer during the school day, there are ways you can help at home and still feel connected.
“Over the years I've had parents offer to cut out laminated things or work on bulletin board sets or file folders from home, if they can't get in and still want to help,” Renzelman says.
PTO organizations are also a great way to get plugged in and find ways to volunteer. “Being involved in PTO brings volunteer opportunity in all sorts of areas,” Duncan says. “Working at book fairs, helping with class parties, going on field trips and helping during the yearly field day are all things PTO sponsors that need volunteers.”
Volunteering in the classroom is not about thinking less of the teacher, but more about trying to help.
“I know these teachers are fully capable of doing it without me. My hope is that I might be able to help make life a little easier—even if I just help make copies or make up a bulletin board,” Jensen says. “I hope that I've just saved her 10 minutes, and that she might get to go home 10 minutes earlier.”
Jennifer Higgins lives in Kearny where she has seen the benefits of volunteering, both as a parent and a teacher.