Classroom Volunteers

The Adopt-a-Class classroom volunteer program was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic in compliance with official Loudon and Monroe County rules for school visitors. Now that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available for volunteers and staff, permission has been granted for school visits. Our classroom volunteer program resumed activities for the 2021 summer school programs at Loudon and Steekee Elementary Schools. Adopt-a-Class requires that all classroom volunteers be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Most Adopt-a-Class TN members are classroom volunteers who work directly with children as tutors, either individually or in small groups. Each volunteer is matched with a teacher and a classroom. This allows the volunteers to get to know the children and feel pride in their progress.

Schedules are flexible and organized directly with the teacher. Most volunteers work 3 to 5 hours per week, either on one day or split into multiple days. Some volunteers choose to spend more hours at school. Volunteers may assist in any grade or class. Volunteers may also assist in "Specials", such as PE, Art, Computer Lab, Guidance, ELL, and Chess. Teaching experience is not required.

Summer Programs

Loudon Elementary School Summer Camp

Adopt-a-Class volunteers assisted staff during the 2021 academic summer camp. We look forward to participating again in the 2022 summer program.

Steekee Elementary School Summer Camp

Adopt-a-Class volunteers assisted staff during the 2021 academic summer camp. We look forward to participating in the 2022 summer program.

Vonore Library Summer Reading Program

The purpose of the program is to keep children reading and learning throughout the summer. The goal is to instill a lifetime habit of reading, and become regular library users.

In 2022, Adopt-a-class will partner with Winnie Okumura to help run this program with more comprehensive offerings.

Volunteer Backgrounds

Our volunteers come from very diverse backgrounds, bringing a cornucopia of life experiences to their volunteer work. Here are many of their careers:

Human Resource Management ** Pastor ** Copywriter ** Stay-at-Home Mother ** Teacher ** Global Logistics ** Executive Assistant ** Chemical Engineer ** Social Worker **Head of Personnel ** Biomedical Research Scientist ** Banker ** Communications ** Computer Technology ** PE Teacher ** Elementary School Teacher ** Art Teacher ** Private School Administrator ** Nurse ** Learning Resources **Accountant ** Piano Teacher ** EMT ** Medical Lab Technician ** Detective ** Speech Therapist ** Paralegal ** Middle School Teacher ** Veterinarian ** Instructional Designer ** Research Scientist ** Ultrasound Technician

Adopt-a-Class Volunteer Protocols 2021-2022

As a member of Adopt-a-Class and guest in our adopted schools, we expect all volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 2 weeks prior to your volunteer service. Mask wearing is optional. If you have a known exposure to COVID-19, please do not serve for 2 weeks. We recommend that all volunteers receive the annual flu vaccine.

Please Do:

Park in guest lot in front of the school.
Bring your driver's license to check-in on your first shift. You will be issued a name tag to wear. You only need to give your name after your first visit.
Sign-in AND out in the school visitor log.
Wear casual, respectful and comfortable attire and shoes.
Exchange contact information with your matched teacher.
Communicate schedule changes with your teacher.
Follow teacher’s instructions explicitly without alternative suggestions.
Give children smiles and positive reinforcement.
Inform teacher if a child is disrespectful or behaves inappropriately.
Inform teacher if a child mentions a problem at home, e.g. abuse, drugs.
Comply with all school protocols, including fire drills or practice lock-downs.
Share positive observations about our schools, teachers, students, and Adopt-a-Class programs!

Inform your teacher and Karen Hamerslag at adopt.a.class.tn@gmail.com if you need to take an extended leave of absence or resign, or if you need assistance with conflict resolution.

Adopt-a-Class TN