Teachers and TAs do you actually find parent volunteers a help or hinderance?

[wanttomakeadifference]

I've read a few things in MN recently which have made me wonder about this.

I work four days a week and over the past few years have volunteered in DC's classroom for one morning a week.

I enjoy doing this, but the my main motivation is to provide some genuine help to the teacher, in any way that suits them. My reasoning is that, the more help the teacher gets, the more time they have to concentrate on the core aspects of their job. I've done loads of different things, from listening to reading to sharpening pencils.

I was planning on volunteering again this year, but would hate to think I was actually more of a hinderance than a help........

I would be really grateful for any thoughts from teachers TAs.

As another parent I hate it. They are all gossipy little witches at our school with no respect for confidentiality. Just saying.

Good parent volunteers are worth their weight in gold. Poor ones are a total nightmare. I think a volunteer can work out how much help they are - if they just get pencil sharpening jobs I don't think they're much help; if they're given a variety of interesting things to do then the teacher really appreciates them!

Thanks for your input NickNacks. I'm not a gossipy little witch. However, if I was I would find zero opportunities for gossip material in the classroom........

I am beginning to realise that there is a lot of negative feelings towards parent volunteers from other parents (via Mumsnet, I've not noticed this in RL as yet).

Hence my OP wondering about how teachers feel about parent helpers.

I'm a teacher and we used to have parent volunteers. It was often embarrassing for the child who was there and because they weren't really trained (I mean- they had a two day course on confidentiality and how to show visitors around the school) it meant they made matters worse sometimes. They sometimes listened to children reading if they had disabilities and struggled with reading, or would clean up or put up displays. Sometimes they were really, really helpful and it meant I could concentrate on my class.

Sometimes they were just plain evil- there was a girl who was behind in History, really behind, and I noticed she hadn't been in school for a bit. Then the parent, a week later, came up and told me that she was crying everyday and was really embarrassed and upset because the volunteer had been telling the other parents that! She was struck off.

Normally they're great but sometimes they're just menaces.

I can definitely say that most parent volunteers make a good contribution but there are a few who are more of a hinderance than a help.

I really like the parent volunteers who are willing to do jobs like sharpening pencils. Having an extra adult who is fussy about what they will do can be an additional burden so those who just get on with any task are a big help to me.

We had one parent last year who stayed all day and sat in the staff room with us every lunchtime and every break. It drove us mad and I ended up eating in my classroom.

Yes there are issues with confidentiality

Also on trips parent volunteers sometimes seem to forget they have other children to keep an eye on as well as their own

But most are generally helpful

But then again it is also up to the teacher to be able to manage helpers. I help in class and the teacher makes sure that I assist in the classroom be it reading, helping with art projects or other tasks. It is also clear that we are given tasks to do with the 'mainstream' children (forgive my terminology) and those that may need extra help are usually looked after by the TA.

Confidentiality is just par for the course - teachers aren't stupid.

I'm a teacher, and I can honestly say that over the long years of teaching, the majority of parent volunteers have been unbelievably fantastic, generous with their time, patient and talented. So many children have benefited from the extra time with another adult.
We have very clear policies. The parent doesn't help in the same class as their child, they are also given a short induction that includes very clear rules on confidentiality.
We see it as a partnership, but the volunteers have to be bound by the rules or they are told that their services are no longer required. That's happened twice in the last decade, and we have a lot of help in class.

I would have thought parent volunteers are like any volunteer - some are wonderful and others aren't, the only thing they have in common with each other is they don't have to bother to do what they do if they don't want to.

Thank you for the feedback. I really don't care what I am asked to do- I just want to be an extra pair of hands to do whatever needs doing.

I steer well clear if the staffroom, as I find it quite intimidating.

I do plan to ask DS' new teacher if I can be of any help for a few hours each week- but I'm feeling a bit apprehensive now in case she inwardly rolls her eyes !!

wantto I really wouldn't think that.

You are offering to help her and I'm sure she will bite your hand off, especially as you have a bit of experience.

I'm of the same opinion as you op. I help out in my ds' school and hope that I am seen as a help rather than than a pita. Because we don't have reviews as such we just have to assume that if we're crap that they would stick us in the photocopying cupboard all the time and we'd get the message.

I find it really challenging actually. The kids are all so different funnily enough. I do think it has helped me to think on my feet in general.

I hate the thought of other parents thinking I'm just a nosey caaaah or whatever but being on both sides of the fence you see how ridiculously scathing the parents can be of the teachers so guess volunteers would fall foul of that attitude too at times. Most parents take things so personally.

I never really had a problem with any of the dc's teachers/schooling before volunteering but having spent time in school I generally have nothing but absolute admiration for them now.

I'm a TA, as you asked for that perspective . As everyone else has said, some are great, some not so. Ime, if you are hearing readers, make sure you know how phonics are taught - it's a nightmare to hear a child after they've been reading with a well-intentioned parent sounding out mer, ner, ler etc. Also, the TA is often your best source of information about how things are usually done iyswim.

I've never really had useful parent helpers, unfortunately. We have parent readers, but they tend to not turn up, or else they are looking for the wrong thing/ are very negative towards very delicate children.

I'd love to have someone who was supportive and eager to help out, but I fear that, in my school at least, the parents would be there as spies. Sadly.

personality thing, imho. They;re a rarity in sen ime as risk assessments are too much of a minefield. Some are absolutely awesome and I'd want them as permanent staff. Others, unfortunately appear so far out of their depth it's embarrassing, and sometimes it's hard to tell when you get the offer and the head will never refuse an offer of free help

Can I gatecrash this thread please? I've just had confirmation from a school that I can go along and help out - been mulling this over for a while and finally 'bit the bullet' and asked a few schools nearby DD's own school didn't even acknowledge my enquiry, never mind reply to it. I want to gain some classroom experience, but I'm not even sure exactly what I'll be expected to do. What do volunteers do exactly? Is it just pencil sharpening and listening to reading? Or is there more to it? Are you expected to just get on with something, or are you given specific instructions by the teacher on what you are supposed to do? Now I've got the chance to go into a school, it's only just occurred to me I've no idea exactly what that will entail

You do what the teacher asks, if you are uncomfortable with what the task is then you are upfront about it. If you have a particular talent or interest then tell them, because it might affect what the teacher gives you.
Ask if you don't understand something completely, and although you may have a thousand excellent ideas on how her classroom practice could be improved, wait a while before offering suggestions.
I have a parent helper who hates hearing readers because she's EAL and shy about her English, but she's amazing with maths games and craft activities. I have another who is lovely but hates any sort of messy activity but has endless patience with children who are challenging. There are jobs for all!

I think you should do whatever is asked and get to know how the teacher works to start with. As he or she gets to know you then you might find you get more interesting and challenging jobs. I think you also need to be reliable. If the teacher isn't sure you will turn up they won't bother planning anything particular for you. Ihad this with a helper and though I was initially pleased o have her it became a PITA as she was so unreliable I couldn't plan an activity for her to work on with a group because I then had to reorganise my plans on the day when she phoned up to cry off.

If I'm honest I prefer volunteers that have no connection with the school (not too local) but a good parent helper can be a godsend.

Totally depends on the parent, I think that it's better if someone volunteers not to work in the year group of their child. Some parent volunteers are fab and can be professional and useful, some are just there to spy on you/the school - I bet you can guess which type teachers prefer!

Very much depends on the parent. Some are incredibly helpful and an asset to the classroom, especially those with skills that can be put into action in the classroom.

I helped out in DD's school for a year or so part time. I had left teaching and was getting primary experience before becoming a TA. I completely understood confidentiality and would never have gossiped about other pupils. I had set days/times when I helped out which made planning much easier for the teachers.

That's great thanks. The school I've been given the chance to help out in isn't my local one, and I have no connection to it so hopefully that'll be a good thing. I think my worry is I don't know what limits/parameters there are working in the classroom, and I'm very wary of doing something that isn't the 'done thing' because it's been so long since I was actually taught in a classroom i.e. what is being taught will be so different to what I learned, I'm worried about doing something that goes against what the teacher is actually trying to teach. I'm just a tad nervous, even though it's what I want to do! Will try and remember all these tips. Thanks.

Hulababy, can I ask what skills you mean that can be put into action? Sorry to seem dim, but I just need it spelling out iyswim! My worry is what I think might be a useful skill might not be what the school wants, if that makes sense.

banana - cooking, sewing, drawing, any kind of art, any crafting, IT skills, music (can you read music/play an instrument?), drama, endless patience, all these things can be used in a classroom