Volunteer Training

       Many of our first-time volunteers are concerned about what type of materials will be supplied to them, how to use them, and, most of all, how to relate to a classroom full of young people. Junior Achievement provides personalized training to every new volunteer (and returning ones who would like it). A JA staff member (like Sue, pictured at the left, above) will meet with all new consultants, either one-on-one or in groups, as schedules permit. She will go through the kids item by item, and show you how to use the Consultant Guide to present lessons. She will also give you some tips on classroom management.

       By the end of the training, you will be thoroughly familiar with the program and the materials, confident, and eager to meet with your teacher and get started!

        This page is not intended as a substitute for Junior Achievement volunteer training sessions, but rather, as an overview for prospective consultants, and a review/quick reference for volunteers who have already completed the formal training. You might also want to refer to our Volunteer/Teacher Roles page, Student Characteristics page, and the Job Site Visit Guide page for other valuable information, and read advice/tips from experienced classroom consultants on our Volunteer to Volunteer page.

       To really get a "flavor" of the JA elementary programs, take a moment to see how one third grade put their JA newspaper lesson to practical use in highlighting all of the Our City JA program in "Lancer World". Explore the concepts of Mass vs Unit Production with fifth-graders at Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary by "Making Pens", or join a group of second grade students on their site visit to Whirlpool Corporation to see the practical application of classroom lessons in the photo essay, "Visiting Whirlpool". You may also read an unusual thank-you note received by one of our consultants, "Thank You, Mrs. Kelly".

• Classroom Teacher

• Help children see their places in the world as individuals, workers, and consumers, from their home to the world around them.

• Fill out the new consultant registration form. This information is essential for record-keeping and the class registration process.
• Call your teacher to schedule your classes within a week of receiving the JA kit of materials.
• Attend a training session to become familiar with the program and materials.
• Call your teacher and schedule your weekly class visits — your teacher has been sent a letter and is waiting for your call!
• Let us know if you have trouble contacting the teacher. We can help connect you if necessary!
• Visit with the class and teacher in order to become familiar with your surroundings and with the teacher's classroom techniques.
• Meet with your class for 5 - 8 visits, for 25 - 55 minutes each visit, depending on the requirements of the program you are presenting.
• Teach the lessons provided in your kit of JA materials.
• Maintain contact with the JA Staff — after your second class visit, please give us a call and let us know how you're doing, as well as which day of the week and what time you are presenting the program.
• Evaluate the success of the program — you will receive a survey form, and the information you provide is vital to us in evaluating the program, gathering statistics for funding and grant applications/ reports, planning next year's classroom schedule, etc.!

• Enthusiasm
• An interest in working with young people
• Good planning and communications skills
• Ability to be consistent, arrive at the school on time and meet with the students during the school day
• Willingness to serve as a role model and mentor.

• Make sure you know the classroom rules and procedures the teacher follows. Let the students know that you will be following these same rules and procedures. The teacher is responsible for classroom discipline.

• Ask questions to keep the students involved and active. Give clues if they don't respond, but don't give the answer away. This will help you hold their interest and verify that they understand the material.

• Use examples that students are familiar with from their neighborhoods and families.

• Use student names. This will make an impression and show that you are interested in them.

• Use language the students can understand. Students may not be familiar with some words and concepts used in economics, so be sure to explain all terms or ask the teacher for advice.

• Use positive reinforcement with the students. Don't criticize their questions. All questions deserve an honest response.

• Work with all of the students. Try to talk to and/or help each student during the lesson. However, you don't have to call on ALL of the raised hands for every question.

• Remember to print when writing on the board. Students in the younger grades have not yet learned cursive writing.

• Move around the room during the lesson. This will help keep everyone involved.

• Be sensitive to special circumstances among the students in your class.

• Ask for teacher feedback. If it is not possible to talk after your presentation, set up a time during the week when you can talk on the telephone.

       In order for you to maximize your Junior Achievement experience, we offer the following suggestions as you prepare for your visit to the classroom. For more tips from experienced volunteers, please see our Volunteer to Volunteer section.

• Be sure to sign in and out of the office each time you visit the school.
• Meet with the teacher and establish a good system for communication between visits.
• Ask the teacher for a class list of student names and a seating chart.
• Determine the days and times of your visits with your teacher.
• Give the teacher a copy of the materials as you work with the students.
• Ask the teacher about special-needs students.
• Ask the teacher about classroom rules, student participation, and the approach to discipline.
• Ask the teacher to organize the class into small groups when necessary.
• Ask the teacher for assistance in hanging up your visuals aids such as posters, maps, or signs.
• Let the teacher know if you need to rearrange the desks or chairs for any part of your presentation.
• Let the teacher know in advance if you cannot make your scheduled appointment.
• Trinkets (pens, pencils, goodies) from your business are welcome. Please save them for the final visit or the job site visit.
• The magnets provided in the kit are great to pass out on the last day along with the certificates.
• Monitor group corporations (ie, no Beer Corporations, etc.)
• If the students are having difficulty understanding a concept, feel free to add your own example or activity to help them grasp it.
• Try to use local examples.
• Add your own experiences and stories to the lessons.
• Please make us aware of any problems that you can't resolve with the teachers or the students.
• Have fun! Enthusiasm and laughter are contagious!

       Child abuse is a fact in our society and a matter of critical national concern. It is of special concern to Junior Achievement of Berrien & Cass Counties, Inc., because we provide volunteer role models in the educational system. Child abuse is defined as damage to a child for which there is no "reasonable" explanation. It includes non-accidental physical injury, neglect, sexual molestation, and emotional abuse.

       Should you, our volunteer, observe suspected abuse or damage to a child for which there is no reasonable excuse, you must report that observation to the classroom teacher and to our office immediately (269-983-7579).

       Standards will be conveyed verbally and in writing by Junior Achievement staff to volunteers teaching for the first time. They are to be conveyed in writing to all volunteers prior to their first visit to the classroom each semester.

Volunteers should not:

• Have any inappropriate contact inside or outside the classroom with any student met though their Junior Achievement class, including these students 18 years of age or older.

• Be in contact with any student inside or outside the classroom unless that student's teacher, another school-sanctioned adult or the student's parent is present or aware of the situation.

• Be in contact with any student inside or outside the classroom without prior knowledge or consent of the local Junior Achievement staff. exceptions would include routine business activity or bona fide job interviews for students 15 years of age or older, conducted at a regular place of business and during regular business hours.

Some examples of inappropriate conduct include:

• Violations of state laws regarding child abuse, providing alcohol to minors, or having alcohol on a school campus, etc.
• Dress that violates school dress codes or is inconsistent with normal business attire.
• Use of profanity or inappropriate language in the classroom.
• Physical contact which is inappropriate to a teacher-pupil professional relationship considering the age and sex of the student.

       These are examples only ad are not intended to be a comprehensive list. There could be other actions not listed herein which could result in suspension or dismissal as a volunteer.

       Allegations of violations of these standards will result in immediate suspension as a Junior Achievement volunteer.