School District 622 Volunteer Handbook 2018-2019 school year | Page 14

Before You Begin Your Volunteer Assignment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Review the guidelines, especially confidentiality
Confirm your volunteer schedule (refer to the school calendar for non school days).
Confirm how you will communicate with the assigned staff member about expectations.
Inquire about where to put your personal belongings.
Decide how you want students to refer to you.
Confirm the location of your workspace and materials.
Confirm who to contact if you are unable to volunteer at scheduled time.
Find out alternate plans if teacher is absent and a substitute is in charge.
For Academic Volunteer Placements, Discuss the Following with Staff Member
1. Pertinent information about the students with whom you will work (within appropriate standards of
confidentiality)
2. Special strengths and needs of the student
3. Tips for working with specific students (learning style and reinforcement techniques)
4. Location of work area
5. Alternate plan if student is absent
6. How best to inform the staff/teacher of the student’s progress
7. Inquire about classroom policies, procedures and rules
8. Inquire about emergency procedures.
Tips for Working with Students
1. The most valuable thing you have to offer as a volunteer is friendliness and caring.
2. Learn the student’s names whenever possible. It makes students feel good to be called by name.
3. Listen attentively. Try to work across from students instead of sidy by side. Sit or bend so you can look eye
to eye.
4. Accept students as they are. Be sensitive to their background, values, vocabulary and goals even though
they may be different from yours.
5. Be enthusiastic!
6. Encourage and affirm all students. Use positive comments that allow students to feel good about
themselves. Praise even the smallest effort or success.
7. If you do not know the answer to something, do not hesitate to be honest. Feel free to ask staff for
assistance at the appropriate time.
8. Be comfortable with silence. Allow students the time to think and form answers.
9. Be patient.
10. Above all, keep your sense of humor and HAVE FUN!!
14