Volunteer - can I post here?

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

If not, I'll go away!

I'm looking for any tips/hints etc. to try and figure out if I'm being a help or hindrance at the schools I'm volunteering in at present. My long term aim is to become a primary school teacher, mid-term aim maybe classroom assistant while I study to become a teacher and short term aim, learn as much as I can from the classes I'm helping in at the moment.

So, all that said, I've been helping out in 2 schools for about 3 months now. I've had lots of different classes/ages and been winging it as I've no idea what is expected of me. I'm given tasks - reading groups, helping with practical projects, skittle picker-upper in PE but I have no idea if what I'm doing is a) helping and b) demonstrating I have what it takes to actually work with children. For the most part I get thanked for my time etc. but I've no idea if that's out of politeness or because I've actually helped. A frequent occurrence is the class I've been told to help in doesn't need/want help/me to help, so I kind of feel I'm being pushed onto someone who would rather I wasn't there. I ended up coming away early today as the class I was due to help in was going out and the 4 others didn't want/need help.

Am I just being a hindrance here? Should I give up? Is it at all possible that I've been discussed by teachers/head/assistant head teacher in the staff room? Who would be gathering feedback from the teachers on whether I'm helping or making things more difficult?

The children are great, I get on fine and seem to have gained their trust (judging by the number who come to me at break time for help - I'll take that as a positive, unless I'm seen as a soft touch )

Any comments/suggestions welcome!

I would suggest going to speak to whoever agreed to you volunteering in the first place, and explain what you've just said here - say that you would prefer to be in a particular class or for the teacher and yourself to know in advance that you will always be there on a Tuesday afternoon, or whatever, and then you feel you would be of more help.
Sometimes, when you get an unexpected volunteer, it's harder to suddenly give them something meaningful to do when you don't have time to talk to them first and talk about the task. It's much better if you know someone is coming in (and you get used to what they are good at / need support with) so you can plan accordingly.
That said, I'd ALWAYS have another pair of hands in the classroom, but I've met colleagues who are really anti it, so there might be some personality coming into it too.

Hi,

I kind of get where you are coming from. I also volunteer at my childrens school so for me its slightly easier as I know most of the staff quite well. I would second speaking to the schools and getting them to agree that you will help out in a set class at a set time each week. That way you can get to know the teacher and the way they work, know where the class resources are etc. Also it will allow the teacher time to get to know you and once they can see what your like they are more likely to give you more responsibility like taking small groups or 1-1 work with particular children. Through my volunteering I was offered a part time ta job covering lunchtimes initially but now I am used as supply cover to cover sickness and other absences. I still do my voluteer work but I am in set afternoons with particular classes and have a small group of children from each class that I do intervention work with.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll ask to speak to someone on Thursday. I was going to send an email tonight to ask for a 5 min chat when I get there but I now realise I don't even know the head teachers name! She's new so not even on the website. But I'll try and ask for some time on Thursday. I need to cut back on one school some point in the new year so I might as well see which one I'm likely to get better opportunities and then decide.

Thanks again for the comments.