The #1 Way to Get More Involved with Your Children: Volunteer at their School

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Covid Changed Things

When covid hit, the majority of parents had to teach their kids from home. They were helping get zoom calls up and running, helping kids finish homework, and interacting with teachers more than ever before.

This interaction was an eye-opening experience for many parents. They could hear the way the teachers were speaking to their kids. Sometimes, this would give parents more peace of mind, knowing their child’s teacher was great. Other times, it was alarming to hear teachers speak with such a tone and frustration.

Parents saw the topics and materials that their kids were being assigned and the lessons they were being taught. It became clear what type of learning schools were providing.

Heading Back to School

As our children began to go back to school, many parents were wary of the school system.

They saw and heard more in the few final months of distance learning, than they had in years of their kids being in the school system.

Many parents, were wary about sending kids back to school. There was a lot of uncertainty on whether or not we were ready to go back to school. If it was safe, and if the teachers were in the right mindset.

As my child masked up and headed back to school, I decided I would be in the classroom as well.

I wanted to see the way teachers spoke to the children. I wanted to find out what type of lessons were being given. I wanted to meet and speak to the people in the office as they interacted with the kids.

With my own eyes, I would find out what they were doing to make this a safe learning environment for my kids.

Ask Questions, Get Answers

When Covid hit, my oldest was in Kindergarten. I didn’t have much experience being in the classroom. I wasn’t sure what the best approach would be to volunteer.

When my child went back to school in 1st Grade, I asked the office staff what I could do to volunteer. She told me that the PTA could always use more help. She mentioned that there were also classroom parties that happened most years. If I really wanted to be involved I could apply for a job as well. Other than those three things, she didn’t have much more advice for me.

I asked other parents, and they said the same thing. PTA, or get a job. This was not going to work for me. There had to be more I could do. I wanted to really get a feel for the school and teachers. I wanted to know, 100% without a doubt that my kid was being taken care of within the school.

At the first parent/teacher conference, I spoke to his teacher. I asked how the kids were doing, and if there was anything I could do to help. She said she wished that there was something I could do, but all the kids were so far behind and she was overwhelmed. At this age, it is hard to understand what kids are saying in general, let alone with a mask covering their mouths.

That was it. I asked if I could come in once a week and help her with the reading or math. I could help her with any of the kids that were falling behind or struggling. I continued to offer help, saying I could do anything that she needed help with that day. She quickly agreed and we came up with a game plan.

I would come in every Wednesday at 11:00 am. I would read with each child and help them pass off their sight words. I was helping the teacher with an area that was hard to do with a full classroom and was getting to spend time in the school. Win/Win.

I understand that it is a challenge to get your foot in the door sometimes.

We have been taught to trust the schools with our kids. As parents, we should be able to drop our kids off and trust that they will get a solid education and be prepared for the world.

It’s not like that anymore. There is so much changing and adjusting in our children’s world.

Getting into the school will put your mind at ease and it will help your kid’s teachers out.

I have been very fortunate, my children have had incredible teachers. Every time I volunteer I am more and more impressed by the compassion and dedication that so many teachers have to the kids in their classrooms.

Go For It

Be brave. Decide that you want to be in the classroom and go for it.

When I speak to people about volunteering in the school, I typically get pushback.

Things such as “My kid wouldn’t want me to be there, it would embarrass him.” “I have work, I can’t get into the classroom as a stay-at-home mom does.” “I don’t want to put the teacher out or make her uncomfortable.” “I don’t know what I would contribute.” “I have a toddler with me, I don’t want to take her to class too.”

Yep. These are all valid.

It was hard for me to approach my child’s teacher. I wanted to make sure she knew that I respected and supported her. I also knew that the world is insane, and she has my child for 7 hours a day. She watches over and guides my child as much (if not more) as often I do each week.

It shouldn’t even be a question at this point. Parents should be in the classroom if they can make it work. As parents, we should know what is happening in the classroom each day.

You should be able to ask what the lessons are and how she is teaching. You should go see what the classroom looks like, and see what your child is staring at each and every day.

This person is literally shaping the way your child thinks and interacts with others. You should absolutely be asking all the questions.

Protect your kid. It is your job as their parent to do so. 

Ways to Approach Your Child’s Teacher

Here are a few things you could say to your child’s teacher when you want to get involved in the classroom:

• I would love to volunteer once a week or biweekly. Would that be something that I could do in the classroom with you?

• A few areas I could help you with are:

  • Reading

  • Math

  • Kids that need extra guidance

  • Big science projects that need more than one adult

• Is there an art program that the school does? I would love to assist in your classroom with that. 

• Could I come help with the Halloween/Christmas party that is coming up?

• Is there a day that I could sit and observe the class?

• Join the PTA/PTO and become involved in the school. 

  • Often they have meetings in the evening, and there are many of the parents in the PTA work full-time. They will likely work with parents that have jobs with this.

Get Involved

I have found that most teachers are shocked when they get an offer to help. Sometimes they are even a little uncomfortable or nervous in the beginning.

This is often because they don’t usually get the offer of help. I have volunteered in four different classrooms, for four different teachers. They have always had plenty for me to do an hour a week.

Volunteering in the classroom has allowed me to develop a close working relationship with my children’s teachers. I have been able to watch my child learn and thrive. It has been a truly amazing experience.

Let’s be honest, the schools need all the help that they can get. I truly believe that the majority of the teachers in our system are amazing. These are the teachers that do it because they love teaching and are passionate about helping kids.

This is your child that we are talking about. This interaction can change everything. 
Be an involved parent.
Find out what your child is learning in school.
Get to know the interactions and behavior that they have with their teacher.

Volunteering in the school will provide you peace of mind and benefit the school and your children.