A small army of volunteers can regularly be seen bustling about the Sonoma Valley High School campus, headed to class just like the students and teachers. Their numbers are strong – 50 in all – and their credentials are even better, with educational and work history which includes but is not limited to: high-level business professionals, a nurse, a chemical engineer, a Ph.D. in economics, a flight attendant, a human resources director, a YMCA youth director and more. They come from many different walks of life but they share one common goal – helping young people succeed
They are the volunteers of Teacher Support Network. Started as a pilot program in March 2007 with just seven classroom volunteers, Teacher Support Network has grown steadily with both the endorsement of the school district and high school administration. The program is now run under the auspices of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, who took it over in 2008.
The way it works is simple. Interested teachers make a request through Teacher Support Network for a volunteer. A volunteer is matched with the teacher, classroom and subject. The teacher agrees to communicate the schedule to the volunteer and be prepared for their arrival. The volunteer “works” at the scheduled time, doing whatever the teacher has prepared.
As educational role models, these volunteers work alongside a given teacher doing whatever needs to be done in the classroom. Sometimes that’s working one-on-one with a student. Other times it is completing organizational tasks or correcting papers.
“Whatever a teacher needs done, a TSN volunteer will take on,” says Lynn Ross, the Teacher Support Network program director. “The volunteers are there to help, to get the education out there. They are not there to criticize or be watchdogs.”
When Ross began the program, she was a volunteer herself and put in long hours recruiting teachers and volunteers; doing placement and program public relations as well as orientation, fingerprinting and background checks; but she says, it was worth it.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone. The teachers get the help they need and the volunteers get connected with the students and are able to give something back to their community,” said Ross.
This school year, Teacher Support Network placed 50 volunteers with 21 teachers at the high school. Because some Teacher Support Network volunteers opt for multiple placements, the result was 92 filled positions. This means 92 classes had an extra body in the room. Ninety-two groups of students were given more and better attention from their teacher because he or she was free to instruct – not file or correct papers, not organize the classroom – just teach. This represents more than 1,200 volunteer hours per semester. As an additional project, Teacher Support Network worked with the high school senior project coordinator to place more than 200 community members on the senior project review panel.
Teachers agree the program is a success. Pat Reed taught algebra basics in 2007 and said she loved having her Teacher Support Network volunteer in the classroom. “Just my volunteer’s presence in the room made a difference. The students seemed to realize that community members really cared about them and their learning. This is an awesome program,” said Reed.
Some Teacher Support Network volunteers are those that have joined the ranks of the newly unemployed. Ross says volunteering with Teacher Support Network gives them something of value to accomplish and can also be a great resume builder while they also work to find that perfect next job. Other volunteers are retirees looking to fill their time with meaningful work.
Ross says there are dozens of people in Sonoma who care about the quality of education in the schools and want to share their talents and enthusiasm with students. Teacher Support Network is a great way to do so. Those looking to get involved with Teacher Support Network can contact Ross through the Web site at sveducationfoundation.org
“Students can be more successful with more role models around them. My dream is for this program to be a catalyst for student achievement. I think we’re on the right track,” said Ross.
Teacher Support Network aids in college counseling
Currently, there are approximately 2.9 counselors for 1,400-plus students at the high school. Teacher Support Network recognized the potential for volunteers to assist Sonoma Valley High School counselors with college support. In early 2009, after a series of meetings which included Teacher Support Network’s Lynn Ross and Henry Grause, Principal Micaela Philpot, high school counselors and Kathleen Hawing of the college and career center at the high school, ten areas of need were identified. Since then, Teacher Support Network has placed Princeton University graduate and admissions interviewer, Lorna Sheridan as a volunteer to assist with college-related support.
Other TSN Projects
Jan. 2010 – Teacher Support Network placed nine volunteers, 12 placements, in the classroom to assist with Senior Project Essay Writing for remedial level students.
Jan. 2010 – Teacher Support Network placed two volunteers at Sonoma Valley Boys & Girls Clubs for math tutoring.
Feb. 2010 – Teacher Support Network members Dick Drew and Michael George participated in screening and interview process for new high school principal.
March 2010 – Teacher Support Network volunteer is assisting the college and career center in expanding the resources and opportunities for students to participate in local community service.
April/May 2010 – Senior project assistance and coordination of 200 volunteers for panel review
