SADIE T. TILLIS

“Home of the Panthers”

VOLUNTEER

HANDBOOK

2007-2008

 Tangela Johnson, Principal

Stacy Cox, Volunteer Coordinator

Darlene McCloud, Volunteer Coordinator

Relationships with Students

You will want to set a positive, friendly tone when working with students... a mood that promotes good feelings and learning. It takes time and patience to build the desired relationship in which you and the student(s) feel comfortable.

Names are important to people. Learn the students' names and their correct pronunciations as soon as you can. Also be certain students know what you want to be called.

Give honest, specific, and deserved praise for student achievement and effort. Success breeds success, and you are in a unique position to focus on students' strengths and positive behavior. When you must criticize, keep it constructive and try to preface the corrective remark with something positive or encouraging. A light or witty comment helps mistakes seem less tragic.

Realize that most young people have short attention spans. Make every effort to respond to a child's need for movement and variety. If students are restless, disinterested, chatty, or misbehaving, they are probably not learning much, and you may end up frustrated.

If you are tutoring an individual, take breaks as needed. If you are helping a small group, refocus their attention and spark their interest if students get distracted. If you are making a special presentation to the class, be flexible and aware of cues from the students that it is time to move on or switch gears.

Be patient. Sometimes progress is slow. All children are different, but each has the same need for you attention and interest in his/her accomplishments.

Your warmth and enthusiasm have a very positive effect on children. Show simple gestures of caring... a smile, a pat on the back, a high five!

Treat students with the courtesy and respect, which you expect in return. And if you do not get these desired responses from a student, try not to take it personally. Assume that the child is having a problem, which is not related to you. Be fair, consistent, and impartial; and, by all means, keep your sense of humor!

Model proper language usage. Children learn language from the language they hear. Expect to hear some fantasies, tall tales, and incorrect and unacceptable language. Some children hear language and see behavior at home, which is not acceptable at school. Instead of criticizing a child's home, explain the type of language and behavior that are appropriate for school use.

Make good use of wait time. It is easier to maintain discipline when students are busy at worthwhile, interesting tasks with little time to get bored and restless. If possible, fill transition moments with a thought-provoking question, a riddle, a song, a mini-activity, or encouragement to reflect on the day or the lesson. Young people love to voice their opinions and know they are heard.

Try to enjoy children because they are different rather than merely tolerating differences. Look for the unique contribution each student can make.

And, on the subject of absences...if you have a close relationship with a student, such as in a tutoring situation, be sensitive to the possibility that she/he might take your absence personally. A special message to that student might alleviate this potential problem.

School Procedures

Volunteers are asked to give special attention to the following procedures:

• The principal and volunteer coordinators are collectively responsible for the overall supervision of volunteers in their respective areas.
• Please, keep track of your personal belongings. There is not a space where these items may be stored. Usually, you will keep them with you while you work with individual students.
• Volunteers work in cooperation with an assigned teacher or other staff member. Questions, suggestions and feedback should be directed to the teacher first, then appropriate volunteer coordinator, or principal.
• Volunteers must sign in and out on the registration book located in the main office of the school. You may pick up a volunteer badge from the receptionist once you have signed the registry. Please keep the badge on at all times while you are in the building.
• Volunteers should seek help from the volunteer coordinator or front office before using school equipment (i.e. copiers, laminating machines, VCR...). Due to limited planning time for teachers and staff, they have priority for use of the copiers, etc.
• Please, use the copier for school projects only as approved by the teacher or administrator for which you are volunteering. Personal use of the copier or school supplies is not allowed.
• Telephone use is very limited. Volunteers should ask in the main office before making personal calls.
• Eating and drinking in classrooms, hallways, or work areas is discouraged. There are areas available for this purpose.
• Please, be prompt. If you are unable to come at your appointed time or will be late, please call the office. Your teacher and students will appreciate the courtesy.
• Know and observe the school and classroom rules and regulations.
• Volunteers should not bring young children to school with them as they are volunteering. It is unfair to pre-school children to sometimes place them in a situation in which parents can not pay attention to them wile they are volunteering. Pre-school children can also be distracting to the rest of the class.
• Volunteers are welcome to eat lunch in our cafeteria. The cost for an adult lunch is $3.10.
• Parking spaces are available in the side parking lot.
• Volunteers are expected to wear appropriate clothing. The school dress policy is available in the faculty/staff handbook.

Teachers

You will be working with teachers, substitute teachers, teacher assistants, and other volunteers. A few reminders might help foster good relations among the many busy adults giving their time to help children.

• Be certain the teacher knows when you are coming. Do not drop in unannounced to help a teacher. It takes time to plan for volunteers and to ensure that their time is not wasted.
• Be on time. Try not to be late or absent for a session. Call the main office to leave a message for the teacher if you must miss a day.
• Save private conversations for time without students. Try not to interrupt someone who is teaching. It is easy to lose the momentum of an activity when students are distracted or forced to wait while adults carry on conversations.
• Leave discipline matters to the teacher. The teacher is responsible for maintaining classroom order, even when other adults are working with students in the room. If you have a discipline problem with a student that cannot be resolved by gentle prompting or a few positive words, speak with the teacher.
• Respect the confidentiality of all information and activities related to school staff, faculty, students, and their families. Try to stay enthusiastic and positive.
• Have fun! What power children learn from seeing shared leadership, cooperative teaching, and adults playing many roles!

Strive toward a comfortable working relationship with the teachers, but don't take each other for granted. Treat one another with courtesy, respect, and appreciation.