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For most of Sammy’s elementary years in school I was a Junior Achievement volunteer. This put me in the school, and directly into his classroom for a series of five sessions, about 30 – 45 minutes long each time. I got to know the kids in his class, the teachers and other faculty at the school quite well. It was a great thing when I needed extra help or services for him. I also taught other grades besides his, so I knew the upcoming teachers and who would work the best with his personality.
I didn’t go Junior Achievement for that reason. To be honest, I don’t really remember how I got started. I really enjoyed the curriculum because it teaches our kids the messages we want to get across about family, their position in the family, as well as how what they do affects others in the community.
Junior Achievement is a series of classes that expands the student’s awareness each year. It starts at Kindergarten and continues up from there with:
Ourselves
Our Family
Our Community
Our City
Our Region
Our Nation
Some of the concepts that center on our needs in the family unit are that each family looks different, each person a “job” within the family (yes, even the kids), that it takes money to keep a family going, how the money they make and spend impacts both the family and community and so on. You can read about each section here.
The units teach vital life skills that kids sometimes are more willing to learn from a third party rather than from mom or dad. In one unit we made “donuts” on both the assembly line process, and one person completing all the donuts themselves. The kids learned great things about teamwork. They also learn things bout taxes, reading and writing a newspaper, and even running their own business.
I only participated through the elementary level, but the program does continue through high school.
So what does someone get for being a Junior Achievement volunteer? Well, all the materials and curriculum are provided for you. You do not have to come up with your own lesson plans.
The chance to be in your child’s classroom in a non threatening way. I observed how my child interacted, and acted, compared to other children. I quickly saw why he had difficulties with certain students.
The opportunity to make yourself known in the school. As I said, the entire school staff knew me because I worked with so many different classes. It helped when I needed something. They knew I was an active and involved parent.
The chance to help a child. The kids loved it when I walked through the classroom doors and looked forward to me coming, because it wasn’t the same type of learning that they did the rest of the day. Some kids really flourished under this type of class.
If you are working outside the home, many times your employer will let you leave to do this, because they get “free” advertising from it.
I don’t know if I’ll do this for Hannah’s classes at this point. We will hopefully be selling our house soon, which means a move to a new school district, so I’m not ready to commit to this yet.
If you get the chance, participate in this incredible program. You can find more information here.
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