OT Volunteering at School

[BelleRocks]

I read a post on another site from an elementary school teacher. Basically the post said that the little secret was..."We elementary teachers DO NOT want you volunteering in our classrooms. We want you to get a life and get a job."

THEN, a response by a parent..."Our little secret is we don't trust you with our kids unless we're watching you."

I was HORRIFIED by both comments! As a mother of a third grader, I have volunteered one morning a week since my daughter was in school. I have loved all her teachers, and never "distrusted" any of them. My reasons for volunteering, are these (in order of importance):

1. My daughter likes having me there and feels proud of me. This may not last long, but baby, while it does, I'm gonna work it!

2. I believe teachers are under-paid, under-appreciated, and overworked. If I can help by doing ANYTHING that gives them more time to work on kids, then I am happy to do it. When they apologize for having me cut out 200 cardboard circles, I tell them "Don't apologize! That's why I'm here."

3. And this one IS a little selfish...I hope that if I ever DO have a problem, they will be more open to discussion, because they will know I devote time to both my daughter AND to her school, and don't just show up once a year to whine about something.

That's it! No secret motives or spying. I admit I could see that some parents have a problem, and then volunteer to see what the problem is. But I think MOST parents really just want to help.

I really hope that all teachers don't feel the way that post implied.

Input???

 

[KirstenB]

I always volunteered when dd was in kindergarten and 1st grade. Then her younger sister was born, so I haven't volunteered in the past 2 1/2 yrs. I always enjoyed helping out. It seems like the younger grades have a million worksheets that need xeroxing, etc. I always figured the teachers could focus on more important things, so I'd do mundane stuff like that.

I know some of the parents of the 4th and 5th graders said the teachers didn't need much help, so they continued to volunteer with the teachers of the younger grades.

I can see if the teacher had to stop and really spend a lot of time explaining stuff to the volunteer, it could be easier to do it him/her self. My teachers just left the originals and sticky notes in the copy room, and I'd just leave the completed copies there, easy! Sometimes I volunteered in the classroom too. Either reading the kids a story, or helping kids one-on-one with reading skills, etc. I was lucky in that both teachers were open to having someone in the classroom. I know a lot of teachers don't like that, and I can understand why.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I taught for 8 years before being a SAHM. I absolutely loved, loved volunteers! Most of the time I preferred them working with kids, but sometimes they didn't want to so I had them do clerical.

I am in my DS third and DD Kind every other week. I love it, and the teachers seem to appreciate it. My DD's teacher will actually e-mail us if there is an opening and she really needs someone.

I think my DS teacher prefer I not be in the same room. She usually sends me either to the teacher workroom with clerical or to the tutoring room with a small group of kids.

 

[kitsch4]

I read a post on another site from an elementary school teacher. Basically the post said that the little secret was..."We elementary teachers DO NOT want you volunteering in our classrooms. We want you to get a life and get a job."

THEN, a response by a parent..."Our little secret is we don't trust you with our kids unless we're watching you."

I was HORRIFIED by both comments! As a mother of a third grader, I have volunteered one morning a week since my daughter was in school. I have loved all her teachers, and never "distrusted" any of them. My reasons for volunteering, are these (in order of importance):

1. My daughter likes having me there and feels proud of me. This may not last long, but baby, while it does, I'm gonna work it!

2. I believe teachers are under-paid, under-appreciated, and overworked. If I can help by doing ANYTHING that gives them more time to work on kids, then I am happy to do it. When they apologize for having me cut out 200 cardboard circles, I tell them "Don't apologize! That's why I'm here."

3. And this one IS a little selfish...I hope that if I ever DO have a problem, they will be more open to discussion, because they will know I devote time to both my daughter AND to her school, and don't just show up once a year to whine about something.

That's it! No secret motives or spying. I admit I could see that some parents have a problem, and then volunteer to see what the problem is. But I think MOST parents really just want to help.

I really hope that all teachers don't feel the way that post implied.

Wow, I did not see that other thread. I don't think she speaks for all teachers, and I know the other poster doesn't speak for all parents. I agree with all your reasons for wanting to volunteer in your child's classroom. I also volunteer once a week, and I like getting to know my daughter's classmates and some of the other parents. I know who she is talking about when she talks about the other kids. I think our children appreciate the fact that we are interested in them and their school. By the way, I don't think #3 is selfish at all.

 

[mlraabe]

I love volunteers. I have wonderful parents this year and a handful have a certain morning or afternnon they volunteer each week and others just come in when they can. I had a parent today and she worked with a small group, filled snack bags, sorted my book order sheets and then took lamination home to cut out! I tried to convince her that she did not have to take anything home with her but she kept insisting and so I caved!

 

[PollyannaMom]

...........
1. My daughter likes having me there and feels proud of me. This may not last long, but baby, while it does, I'm gonna work it!

2. I believe teachers are under-paid, under-appreciated, and overworked. If I can help by doing ANYTHING that gives them more time to work on kids, then I am happy to do it. When they apologize for having me cut out 200 cardboard circles, I tell them "Don't apologize! That's why I'm here."

3. And this one IS a little selfish...I hope that if I ever DO have a problem, they will be more open to discussion, because they will know I devote time to both my daughter AND to her school, and don't just show up once a year to whine about something.......Input???

I agree!, and would add (not in any special order):

Getting to know my son's friends.
Getting a feel for the teachers methods, so I can reinforce things at home.
One way (not the only one) of showing DS that school is important to me.


I've been lucky that all DS's teachers have wanted volunteers, but a friend has a kindergartener in a class that does not encourage them at all. - We've both been baffled by it.

 

[Rylee]

My children are 26, 22, 17, 9 & 6, and I have always volunteered when I was able.

With that many children and their ages... we have had contact with a lot of teachers! I will say this... I was always more comfortable and glad when my children had teachers who welcome volunteers. Also, all of the First grade teachers did NOT ask for or want volunteers in their rooms, but I think it was a "cut the strings" approach rather than the teacher being uncomfortable with interacting with the students in front of their parents.

 

[TheDizMom]

I volunteer regularly both in the classroom and with PTA and I don't think I have ever had a teacher who didn't have sign-up sheets at open house for volunteering for various classroom things. It seems to me if they didn't want us in the classroom they wouldn't have the sheets to sign-up pr things . I will say the older they get the less the teachers request in terms of help and I think it's just because the kids are so much more self sufficient. I do for the same reasons as the OP and because I want my kids to know that I take their education seriously and hopefully it will translate to them to also take it seriously.

 

[disykat]

I love parent volunteers and always have felt appreciated when I was a parent volunteer.

I admit, it does make me nervous occasionally because I feel like I'm always being critiqued. (I have lots of parent volunteers, so it seems like there's always someone with me.) However, there really shouldn't ever be anything going on a parent couldn't see. I do expect parents to realize that I'm not at my shining best every moment and that there will be times that things aren't going like clockwork. If I had parents that were critical, it might make me like appreciate them less!

I have wonderful volunteers this year year. They really lighten my load and I know it makes a difference to have extra adults working with the kids!

 

[MM27]

I posted on the other thread, but I'll mention it here as well. I teach in a school that gets very little parent support. I think it's horrible that a teacher would feel the need to insult a parent that was trying to help out. If you don't want the help, speak up. There are probably other teachers in the building that would want your help and I know in my school, the office staff would love extra hands. To the OP, as long as the teacher wants you there and has things for you to do, keep volunteering. It has been proven that children whose parents are active in school events/in their child's education do better in school. Your child knows that you take education seriously because you are there.

I was also very disappointed in the parent response. I put everything into my job and I treat my students as if they were my own. To think that a parent felt they needed to watch over me to make sure I wasn't harming their child in some way makes me sad.

 

[DizneeMommy]

I'm a first grade teacher, and I LOVE parent volunteers! I've had some wonderful ones in the past. They are such a big help, and they are showing all the students that school is important enough for them to come spend time there. I have no parents who are able to volunteer regularly this year, but they all know my door is always open! I try to treat parents as my partners in their child's education. . .after all, a parent is the child's very first teacher!

DH is a pastor, and now that both our kids are in school, he reserves every Friday to volunteer at school: morning in DD's K class, and hour with a student he mentors in DS's class, then afternoon in DS's 4th grade class. He does whatever they need (copying, cutting, working with students. . .) He absolutely LOVES it! I've trained him well!

 

[Camno's Mama]

I read a post on another site from an elementary school teacher. Basically the post said that the little secret was..."We elementary teachers DO NOT want you volunteering in our classrooms. We want you to get a life and get a job."

THEN, a response by a parent..."Our little secret is we don't trust you with our kids unless we're watching you."

I was HORRIFIED by both comments! As a mother of a third grader, I have volunteered one morning a week since my daughter was in school. I have loved all her teachers, and never "distrusted" any of them. My reasons for volunteering, are these (in order of importance):

1. My daughter likes having me there and feels proud of me. This may not last long, but baby, while it does, I'm gonna work it!

2. I believe teachers are under-paid, under-appreciated, and overworked. If I can help by doing ANYTHING that gives them more time to work on kids, then I am happy to do it. When they apologize for having me cut out 200 cardboard circles, I tell them "Don't apologize! That's why I'm here."

3. And this one IS a little selfish...I hope that if I ever DO have a problem, they will be more open to discussion, because they will know I devote time to both my daughter AND to her school, and don't just show up once a year to whine about something.

That's it! No secret motives or spying. I admit I could see that some parents have a problem, and then volunteer to see what the problem is. But I think MOST parents really just want to help.

I really hope that all teachers don't feel the way that post implied.

Input???

That's horrible! Ah...why do people say things like that? Sometimes I think it's the whole internet thing...people think that they can say whatever they want because they don't really "know" anyone.

Maybe it's just teachers who like to do everything themselves. Sometimes it's hard for people to give up control of something. And there have to be some parents who are just a total pain. One mom walked out of my niece's kindergarten class when I picked her up one day moaning and groaning about having to sharpen pencils. And I quote "Please, did I go to college for this? I mean, don't I have better things to do with my time?"

Um, those teachers went to college. And they do all of that and more for your children! Not to mention...it's a little rude to all of the people in the crowd listening to her who didn't go to college. Are they only good for sharpening pencils? What is considered good enough volunteer work? Erasing the chalkboard or maybe cleaning the bathroom?

I digress...I think most teachers and parents support the parent volunteer system. AND I think most parents trust their teachers with their kids.

 

[livndisney]

At my DD's school, they make it almost impossible to volunteer (They have lots of "hidden" rules to even "qualify" to volunteer ). I always thought parents and teacher working together was a good thing, it seems this principal does not think so. I taught school for years and also volunteered. I have never felt so unwelcome as I do at my DD's school. A bunch of other parents I have spoken to feel that same way.

Funny thing is, my DD's teacher is AWESOME and says parents are welcome in her classroom anytime.

 

[barkley]

i think (former teacher/current parent here) that allot depends on the parent volunteering and how they 'volunteer' themselves in the classroom.

that said, when i taught younger grades i truly appreciated those parents that came in and were willing to do whatever volunteer activities i had available (and it was no surprise, they had to volunteer ahead of time and see if anything was available a given day)-they contributed to the classroom and assisted with the educational process. a parent however, that comes into a classroom and picks and chooses what they will do, insists on doing entire lessons (very common it seems in arts and crafts), AND spends the bulk of their time interacting with/parenting thier own child distracts from and impedes the educational process.

as a parent two of the things i've observed with some of the parent volunteers that would have greatly offended me as a teacher is either (1) they seem to feel that they can freely chat with their children, the teacher or other volunteers during class time, or (2) they spend all of their time one on one with their own child, either consoling them when the teacher appropriatly corrects or redirects a behaviour, OR just sitting there laughing at inappropriate behaviours, sighing along with the kids over less than favored subjects-basicly trying to insinuate themselves into a peer relationship with their child's friends (seems more common in the upper grades with parents who view themselves as their kid's friend vs their kid's parent).

at my kid's school they do a form that all parents must fill out at registration each year (private school but no volunteer requirement) that asks you to indicate any education, special skills or talents you have. you are also asked if you have a desire to volunteer. ONLY if the teacher has a specific need in an area and a parent has indicated they have appropriate tools for that area will they be approached to volunteer. it's amazing how many people are unwilling to do the 'grunt work' of photocopying, cutting out stuff for art, stapling...when the social element of not being in the classroom with the teacher, their child or other parents disappears

 

[tchrrx]

I don't really use volunteers in my classroom. My main reason is that I feel guilty asking parents to do some of the jobs that I really need help with. (Copying, bulletin boards, filing papers) They are tedious, boring tasks & I hate to make anyone else do them! (I know, I know...I'm keeping them from receiving the blessing of volunteering...) That said, if I had a parent who really wanted to help in the classroom, I wouldn't deny them.

I think a lot of the time the problem comes from volunteers who don't come when they say they will and from kids who act out & behave badly when their parents are around.

BTW- The main thing I have to keep in mind while reading chatboards is:
One person may sound like they are speaking for an entire group (religious, career, ethnic, gender, etc), but they are still really just one person with one opinion.

 

[kbkids]

I've been volunteering in my kids' classes since they were in kindergarten. DD is now in 4th, and each year, I always think, this will be the year the teacher says they don't need anyone, but it never happens, so I keep going. DD's 1st grade teacher wanted a volunteer every day, as she did a lot of work in small groups. DS started 1st grade this year, and she "politicked" hard to get him because she said she wanted me back.

That being said, there are a few teachers at our school who absolutely do not want parent volunteers in the room. One of them - I totally understand why and don't blame her for her reluctance (long story), but the rest of them are teachers that I wouldn't want anyway for my child. They're rude, I've observed them being ridiculously harsh with a child in the hallways, and their overall grades aren't the best - hmmm, wonder why they don't want parents in there. I'm not saying that as a blanket statement for all that don't like to work with volunteers - but it is the case at our particular school. I'm only talking about 3 teachers out of 45.

 

[Mkrop]

At our school, you could be up there everyday doing something if you wanted, nothing glamourous and not always in the classrooms but they always welcome the help.

I did have to have a background check and got to a Safe Child seminar in order to volunteer or even go on field trips.

K has a big need for parent volunteers bc of Centers. And then it varies from year to year.

The library always needs help so I go when DS10 goes. I love helping the kids, some days I am just restocking books, and I love that I know all the kids in DS10's class, so when he mentions a child I know exactly who he is talking about.

I have been doing library for 3 years now and the only complaint the librarians have had is consistency. Parents say they will be there and dont show, and I dont mean that they call or email bc of a sick kid home, they just dont show. She also told me one mom would constantly SIT down and talk with her kid and joke around with him and never put anything away. They were very frustrated with her and were very glad when she didnt sign up again this year.

I will do anything the teachers need for the most part. I dont mind the mundane class stuff hey esp if I can bring it home and cut out paper circles while watching AI

 

[BelleRocks]

I am so glad to hear all your responses. I guess I just wanted reassurance! I do try to be on my best volunteer behavior. I always tell the teacher to give me WHATEVER needs to be done, I don't mind. I made it especially clear to my daughter right away in first grade that she still had to pay attention and behave as if I wasn't there, or I wouldn't be able to come any more. Although occasionally during a transition time, she runs over and gives me a hug! Which is ok by me - although I usually add "go sit down now"

There is one teacher in my child's grade that doesn't like volunteers, and last year they mentioned they wouldn't put my daughter there because they knew I would still be volunteering. Oddly enough, I've heard some very unpleasant things about that teacher this year!

 

[kbkids]

There is one teacher in my child's grade that doesn't like volunteers, and last year they mentioned they wouldn't put my daughter there because they knew I would still be volunteering. Oddly enough, I've heard some very unpleasant things about that teacher this year!

That's exactly the case at my kids' school also. And yes, I do love volunteering and being up at the school, but I'll be completely honest - that's also a HUGE reason of why I do it - to ensure that my child won't be placed in those classrooms.

 

[GraysMom]

I taught Kdg and First Grade for 6 years before becoming a SAHM. I couldn't wait for volunteers to start in Oct! I always had games to make, art project stuff to prep, treat bags to put together, math manipulatives to punch out, etc that take away my time that could be better used coming up with lesson plans, projects, etc. I rarely had volunteers in the classroom because I found it too distracting for the kids, but my door was always open so they could ask any me any questions. If my volunteer was working when we were doing a big project, working on our Mother's Day program, etc, then I definitely used the extra set of hands in the classroom.

The one thing that our school did that worked really well was to mix up the volunteers. Any parent who wanted to volunteer returned a form stating when they were available and whether they would like clerical or classroom work. Teachers also filled out a form asking what days/times they wanted a volunteer and what types of duties they needed done. Then the RS assigned the volunteers accordingly, making sure that no one volunteered in their own child's class or grade (we had several nosey volunteers who just wanted to spy on their kids/kid's teacher). Volunteers could request to be with the same teacher they had the previous year, but it wasn't guarenteed. I was fortunate to find two great volunteers who worked with me year after year (which also made it easier on me since they knew how they had done things in previous years). It was win/win for the teachers, and the parents felt involved w/their child's school as well.