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WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH VOLUNTEERS
Understanding the volunteer’s background 
- Learn about his/her educational background.
- Become familiar with the extent of the volunteer’s knowledge of the community.
- Be aware that school may be a new environment for the volunteer.
- Recognize the volunteer’s desire to help.
- Become familiar with the volunteer’s previous experience with children.
Providing for the volunteer’s needs
- Make certain that the volunteer is aware of the location of restrooms, office, library, cafeteria, and nurse's office.
- Provide the volunteer with information related to the schedule and the school year calendar.
- Provide space for the volunteer to put personal belongings (e.g., coat, purse).
- Provide space for the volunteer in the classroom.
- Exchange e-mail addresses and/or cell phone numbers with the volunteer.
Involving the volunteer in the classroom
- Plan for appropriate introduction of the volunteer to her/his student(s).
- Inform the volunteer of the classroom curriculum.
- Give the volunteer specific tasks and clear expectations when working with her/his student(s).
- Share academic knowledge about the student volunteer is working with to enhance tutoring.
- Provide a consistent time to discuss the volunteer’s involvement, share experiences, respond to concerns, and give feedback.
- Provide support to the volunteer directly and in front of her/his student(s).
- Let the volunteer know you recognize her/his contributions.
- Note areas in which the volunteer needs to develop in order to be more effective in the classroom and share this input with her/him.
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