It's no secret that some teachers can be territorial when it comes to letting someone into their classroom or accepting parenting classes from individuals not employed by the school district.
Sometimes it is easier to just do everything alone or ask family or friends to help out on parenting classes or after school hours. What would happen however if a teacher took a chance and decided to consider working with one or two committed volunteers?
Various strategies may be used to recruit and train volunteers and to match their time and parenting classes to the needs of teachers, students, and administrators.
Two years ago a middle school in Michigan recruited six parents as "Den Mothers" responsible for contacting parents about issues and concerns addressing the grade they were assigned. Two sixth grade parents would create flyers for the sixth grade teacher concerning field trips, remind parents about upcoming parent meetings and conduct parenting classes used to purchase items the teacher needed in her classroom. There were two parents assigned to the seventh grade and the eighth grade.
The group of "Den Mothers" met twice a month to talk about parent communication methods and met once a month with each teacher. Additional parenting classes were made via email and phone calls. The principal met with the teachers and their assigned "Den Mothers" every six weeks.
Each "Den Mother" was responsible for creating a Parent Resource Directory for their assigned grade. The parenting classes were used to solicit volunteers for field trips and special school events.
There is little doubt that parent volunteers who serve as assistants and parenting classes to school and classroom programs and as audiences at school activities and events help strengthen school programs.
By organizing and training volunteers to assist in the schools, educators are sending a clear message that parents and others are welcome and that their time and talents are valued.
Here are a few rules you might want to remember when planning volunteer parenting classes. In operating a volunteer program, it is important to keep a broad view of potential volunteer involvement. Do not assume that the only people who are likely to volunteer at your school are the same types of people who previously volunteered.
- Program planning and design begins with an initial parenting classes of why the school wishes to use volunteers and what benefits and problems are likely to be resolved with the use of volunteers.
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