Tips and resources for utilizing volunteers in the classroom.

I am very fortunate every year to have a handful of parents who would like to come in the classroom to volunteer. At first I was terrified to welcome volunteers in my classroom. The thought of having another adult in the classroom overwhelmed me. It was one more person to prepare for and I always thought it would just be easier to do things myself. Does this sound familiar? If it does, please be sure to read on! Today I hope I can give you some tips and resources for using volunteers in the classroom!

Tip #1 - Volunteer Sign Up

Each year during meet the teacher night, I set out a volunteer sign up form. If parents are able to volunteer, they simply fill out a questionnaire and return it to me. I also like to send this questionnaire through email, that way it can get to parents who may have missed it on meet the teacher night. This questionnaire allows me to learn who my volunteer is, when they are available to come in, and what they like to do. Some of the options are working with a student or a small group, putting up bulletin boards, teacher prep (cutting, laminating), or at home projects.

Tip #2 - Establish a Volunteer Schedule

I am a schedule and routine type of person. I don’t do well with surprises and for this reason I like to have my volunteers on a schedule. For example, I have a parent volunteer come in every Friday from 10:15-11:30 and I have another parent come in every Monday from 1:30-2:15. These parents usually have a similar task each time they come in. The parent who comes in on Mondays enjoys working with students and the volunteer who comes in on Fridays enjoys prepping materials. This worked best for my students, the office, the parents, and myself. Establish a schedule and try to stick with it!

Tip #3 - Create a Volunteer To Do List

There is nothing worse than having a volunteer in your classroom with nothing to do. I will admit there were a few days I had to quickly think off my feet for something for my volunteers to do, but for the most part I try to plan ahead. Since my volunteers are on a schedule, I know which ones are coming in and what they enjoy doing. Throughout the week I will make a list of things specific volunteers can do on their day. For example, if I have a bulletin board getting ready to change, I will write it down and wait for the volunteer to do it or if I notice I student who could use extra help with their long a words, I will make a note and have a volunteer work on it. This way I have plenty of things for my volunteers to do.

Remember that a little work up front, will make a lot less work for you in the long run!

Tip #4 - Create a Volunteer Organization Binder

A volunteer binder is my favorite way to organize! Did you know you can use a dry erase marker on the top of a binder? I was so excited when I learned this!

The front of the binder has all the information my volunteers need. It has the day of the week, students they are working with, what they will be doing, and a space for them to write any notes to me. Inside the binder I put all the materials the volunteer will need. These materials could be a word work center, a worksheet, or a book. I also put a pencil pouch in the binder to hold pencils, markers, scissors, and other materials the volunteer might need. This binder can easily be sent home to the parent too! Parent can prepare a center or cut out bulletin board letters. You can find the volunteer organizer HERE.

Tip #5 - Create a Volunteer Space

I try keep all my volunteer materials in the same place. This is so helpful! If I was in the middle of teaching, they knew exactly where to go. This space doesn’t need to be anything fancy or a something that takes up a lot of space. I created a volunteer kit using a simple desk organizer to hold all the materials the volunteers may need. I usually keep this organizer on a shelf, but sometimes I will place it at a table the volunteer will work at.

A volunteer kit is another great tool for organizing volunteer materials! The kit also makes it convenient if your volunteer needs to work outside your classroom in the hallway or another work space. The kit can easily be taken anywhere in the building. I keep the kit full with markers, pens, glue, scissors, etc. I also include their to do list and a sweet treat to show my appreciation. You can find the volunteer kit HERE.

I hope you learned some tips for welcoming volunteers into your classroom! Volunteers can save you so much time and make a huge impact for the students in your classroom! If you have any volunteer questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Happy Teaching!