Teachers, what do you really think of volunteers in school?

[2Creamteas]

I mean, when a parent comes in to your class, how do you feel ? Are they useful? Or do you think "oh no, not another one!" Just interested.....

[SmileAndNod]

SocksRock we have chidden in the same years. I'm sure thats bound to help your application when a position comes up.

I don't think I would want to work in their classes as I have to put up with them at home partly because I know so many of their class and also because they need to be their own people in school.

I am looking forward to it. No way could I be a TA though!

[PigeonPie]

I've volunteered in my DSs' classes for six years now. I am spending my DS1's final year at the school in his class as I've been helping some of his classmates on and off since year 2 and it will be great to see them off to secondary reading fluently (I generally help the strugglers).

All being well, I will then spend DS2's final two years helping his year.

It is such a rewarding thing to be able to do and I feel very privileged that I've been able to see the children grow educationally and physically.

[headinhands]

We've had teachers with their own dc in their class. I don't think that children need to be physically removed from the parent for them to develop their ideas and personalities unless there's bigger problems like neglect?

[kookiekookie]

Maybe it was lovely for you to volunteer in your child's class, but don't you think it's their time to get away from you and build their own identity. Or wouldn't you allow that?

[SocksRock]

I volunteer in school - I do cooking with the reception class once a week or they simply wouldn't get to do it. Mine are y4 and y2 currently, but I've got another coming into reception next year. Not sure how that will work... But I plan the lesson (with help from the teacher) and I buy all the ingredients (donation from me). I really hope I'm not overstepping the line, but I do so love working with the little ones. I work 20 hours a week elsewhere, but would love to be a TA. Hoping this will count as experience.

[headinhands]

I'm feeling anxious about it now

You'll be fine! What will happen is that over the first few sessions you'll pick up how the class works and where your attention is most needed.

[VioletBam]

I've volunteered in DD"s class....when they had special craft activities on and needed more hands on board.

It was fine! I didn't sit on DD's table....I helped the other kids on their table.

It was one of the hardest jobs I've ever done....exhausting! I can't imagine how teachers do it.

[headinhands]

I started off volunteering and am now a full time TA for my sins. I have volunteered in my dc's class and even worked in their classes since being on the payroll. I was always impartial from the very start and my dc knew quickly I was there for everyone and never treated them differently.

I think having dc with SN that I was never shocked or judgey about behaviour which I imagine would piss off the teacher.

[SmileAndNod]

Thank you for your replies. I'm just feeling a little nervous I suppose and want to be a help rather than hindrance!

[toomuchicecream]

SmileAnd Nod - it will be absolutely fine. If the teacher didn't want you there, they would have said and you would be sent to another class. I'm always grateful for every little bit of extra help I get as it makes such a difference to the children, particularly those who don't get much support at home.

[CandODad]

Smile, there are always children that just need you to listen to them read because for whatever reason they don't get chance at home.
I'm sure you will be an asset.

[SmileAndNod]

Found this thread as I've just volunteered myself and now feeling a bit scared that I'll just be a PITA for the teachers (both of which have had my child in previews years).
I'm going to be listening to readers in a completely different year group. Will I need any special training? I don't have any particular skills eg music or art but I don't mind helping with other stuff - sharpening pencils taking down work etc.
Will it be ok do you think? I'm feeling anxious about it now

[Acopyofacopy]

When I volunteered there were very few parent helpers. If I had helped in another class nobody would have helped in my child's class.
I never worked with my child, but with other children in their class.
It does take a village, but if the village doesn't chip in I'll look after my own child first.

[FinallyHere]

Likwise, if every child's parents volunteered and wanted to be in the classroom with thier child, what a circus, eh!

[allegretto]

As a parent, I wanted my child to benefit from me giving up my time, sorry. If I had been told to volunteer in a different class I wouldn't have bothered

So much for "it takes a village"! I really don't understand this attitude - if everyone thought like you then your children wouldn't have any voluntary help, no?

[TheSolitaryBoojum]

I've had a lot of lovely, long-term volunteers over the years and almost all of them were wonderful, adaptable and an asset. I've had a couple that weren't and were critical of children or nosey about things that they shouldn't be, and I had to stop them coming into class.
One-off visits from parents with a talent or expertise that they want to share with the class are fantastic.

[claraschu]

In 6 years of volunteering, I never ran across anyone who was spying or blabbing. I helped loads of children with their reading, and really can't imagine why I would care how they compared to my kids.

[LogicalThinking]

I volunteered for 3 years to listen to readers. It was always appreciated by the teachers. Volunteers only worked with their child's class. I sat in the corridor so my children weren't affected by my being there. I was regularly asked to help out for other events so I have no reason to believe that the teachers didn't value my help.

[YorkieDorkie]

Oh my god I wish I got a volunteer. Not had one in 3 years.

[DanyellasDonkey]

We are in a small town and have found that quite a few parents only "volunteer" to spy on other kids and blab about them out of school or to compare kids' progress with their own.

As a result we mainly confine them to putting up displays or photocopying.

[MabelSideswipe]

I volunteer in a secondary school as a Special Needs TA. Some of the teachers are lovely but some of them have spoken to me like shit. I am not sure if they know I am a parent volunteer or not but I have come very close to not bothering as coupled with the fact some of the older kids also are also awful I really don't need it from the adults.

[claraschu]

The teachers always are appreciative as they don't have time to read 1 to 1 with each child very often, and most children really benefit from this special attention.

[claraschu]

I volunteered in all my children's classes in reception, year 1 and 2. It was lovely; I got to help kids with their reading and did lots of short lessons about instruments I play. I got to know some of the children, became familiar with the teachers and TAs, and just generally felt at home in the school.

My children were always glad I was there (usually just outside the classroom doing 1 to 1 reading help), and it was never an issue for them having me there, just something nice that made one day a week a bit special.

[ShanghaiDiva]

I volunteer with reading and have done for over seven years. This year I am with year one (my dd is in year 5) and I love it and hope I add value. It's great seeing the children progress in year one and have to say I love it when the kids say "you look very nice today Mrs diva"

[Blueberry234]

I volunteer and listen to reading I have loved seeing how the children have come on and I have new found appreciation for just how hard they teachers and TAs work. I go into my Sons class but next year I am hoping to continue with reception I don't want to follow my Son throughout his school years.