Program Overview
Berkeley Schools Volunteers (BSV) Classroom Volunteers (CVs) are custom matched by BSV to BUSD Host Teachers who’ve requested extra adult support in their classroom. Matches are based on grade-level and subject area interests of the volunteer and educator needs. Under the guidance of the BUSD Host Teacher, CVs work with students 1:1, in small groups, or whole class, as well as support learning from behind the scenes.
BSV welcomes Classroom Volunteers from all walks of life. Our volunteers are professionals and retirees, students and parents. They come from many different countries and speak many different languages. Our volunteers live both within and beyond Berkeley’s city limits. What unites Classroom Volunteers is their commitment to kids and their passion for learning (as well as teaching). Classroom Volunteers also share a vision of high quality public schools for all students.
Volunteer opportunities vary greatly across grade level, subject, and school. Whatever your skill or interest, there’s a place for you in BSV!
Here are a few examples volunteer jobs:
- Elementary: Kindergarten Support @ Washington. A Kinder teacher is seeking a few consistent volunteers to support students with individual/partner social emotional and academic needs. Tues/Thurs 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.; Weds 10:45-11:45 a.m.
- Middle School: Spanish Support @ Longfellow. A 6th-7th grade Spanish/English teacher in the Two-way Immersion program is seeking volunteers who can support during 1st, 3rd and/or 4th periods (early to late mornings), Mon/Wed/Fri.
- High School: Math & Science After School Tutoring in Berkeley High’s College & Career Center for a volunteer comfortable with tutoring 1-on-1 or in a small group of kids. Tutoring occurs in a large room with 50-80 kids. Weds 3:30-5 p.m.
Consistency matters — both for student learning and for strong teacher-volunteer partnerships. We ask that volunteers commit to their volunteering through the end of the school year. Usually, this looks like a minimum of 1 hr/week though many do more than that. Some volunteers choose to support more than one classroom at the same time.
BSV works in close partnership with BUSD on matters of student, staff, and volunteer safety. Learn more about BSV’s Safety Protocols.
Classroom Volunteers must first satisfy these BSV Screening Requirements (though some requirements are waived for parent/guardians).
Classroom Volunteers should expect the matching process to take 2-6 weeks, based on staff capacity, time of year and volunteer motivation.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
BSV onboards new and returning Classroom Volunteers on a rolling basis each year, August-February. (Note that BSV prioritizes returning volunteer placements each August-September.)
BUSD EDUCATORS:
Request A Volunteer
BUSD educators, both certificated and classified, may request volunteer support from BSV’s Classroom Volunteers program anytime between August and February each school year.