Volunteering at MFS
Overview- Local Volunteer Guidelines
- Visiting Volunteer Guidelines
- What to Bring to Monteverde
Volunteering at MFS
What does it mean to volunteer at Monteverde Friends School? Volunteers have worked in many different ways at the Friends School. Possibilities for volunteer duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
In the classroom, volunteers can:
- » work as full-time classroom assistants
- » guide students in reading or math practice
- » plan and teach specific lessons
- » assist students or groups of students who need individualized attention
- » cataloguing and shelving books
- » facilitating “mini-courses” (weekly classes on crafts, skills, sports, or languages)
- » writing and editing the Gallo Pinto newsletter
- » fundraising
- » helping with internet and other computer technology
- » manual labor, including gardening, building repair, or painting
Time Commitment
Because we are a small school and the impact of visitors and volunteers is easily felt, and because volunteers must gain a student’s trust and be of prolonged help to him or her, we ask for a minimum commitment of 6 weeks. We may make exceptions to this in the case of a more experienced volunteer with specialized training, such as a special education consultant or reading specialist, or in the case of volunteers who plan to work exclusively outside the classroom.
Responsibilities
A new volunteer’s time at MFS will begin with a tour of the school and a meeting with the assistant director to discuss hopes and expectations of both parties. Volunteers will then spend a few days observing classes to get a feeling for the school culture. During this time, conferences with individual teachers may be arranged to discuss possible volunteer assignments.
During his or her sojourn at MFS, the volunteer will meet with the assistant director on a bi-weekly basis to discuss problems, successes, or changes.
Changes of schedule or responsibilities need to be negotiated with the assistant director and teacher(s).
Volunteers are asked to arrive on time for their commitments, dress appropriately, and respect school rules. They are encouraged to read and ask about Quaker philosophy and education.
Benefits
Perhaps the school’s greatest benefit to volunteers is a friendly, dynamic environment in which to work. Volunteers can develop enriching relationships with students, staff, and parents. The activities of the Monteverde Meeting that are centered at the school can also be beneficial in helping a volunteer participate in the community: monthly potlucks, Quaker Meeting for Worship, square or folk dancing, school fund raisers, and talks.
During the week, the school’s telephone is available to a volunteer for short calls. Volunteers may receive mail at the school’s address. E-mail is available also. Occasional field trips or staff potlucks are open to volunteers. Coffee and tea are always on tap.
The school assists volunteers who want to live with local host families by locating suitable families, often those who have children at the school, and serving as liaison between families and volunteers.
Debriefing
At the end of their time at MFS, volunteers may request a written evaluation or letter of recommendation from the school. We schedule a debriefing meeting with each volunteer, during which time the administration will listen to pluses and minuses of the volunteer's experience and encourage suggestions for how the school can improve its work with volunteers.
How to Apply
For your convenience, the Visiting Volunteer Application is available in three formats:
- » as an [html file]
- » as a [pdf file]
- » as a Microsoft Word [doc file]