Community outreach can happen inside and outside of the classroom.
As a teacher, not only do you educate children, but you help instill important characteristics and values in your students. One way to motivate your students to reach their full potential as responsible and caring citizens is to model that behavior by involving yourself in community service projects and opportunities. Undoubtedly your students and community will benefit from your volunteerism.
Literacy Projects
Getting kids interested in reading is the cornerstone of any education. Organize a book drive and involve your class, school and community by encouraging donations of gently used books and monetary donations. Donate the collected books to a struggling library or another school district in need of books for its students. Donated books can help charitable organizations such as Room To Read, a group that promotes literacy in the developing world. Consider keeping some of the donated books to develop a program that involves you and your students reading to senior citizens at long-term care facilities, retirement homes or hospitals.
Taking Care of the Environment
Spearheading a volunteer water monitoring program through the Environmental Protection Agency can get your students and community involved in a worthwhile environmental project, while teaching an important lesson about stewardship. The EPA's water monitoring programs focuses on streams, lakes, rivers, wetlands and other bodies of water. Depending on the project, volunteers are responsible for testing water quality, collecting data and cleaning up garbage along shorelines. Develop a small project with clear, obtainable goals before moving onto a bigger project.
Operation Christmas Child
Sending basic school supplies and small toys to children living in developing countries can help you extend a much needed helping hand to those in need. Each year, the Samaritan's Purse organizes Operation Christmas Child, a program that distributes shoe boxes filled with items for needy children. Lead your own Operation Christmas Child program in your school by having your students collect shoe boxes, raise donations and pack the boxes for distribution. Pens, pencils, writing pads, toothpaste, soap, dolls and cars are all items distributed through this program.
Teachers Without Borders
Volunteer your own services and experiences with Teachers Without Borders. This organization organizes educational service projects and offers successful applicants unpaid internships in a variety of capacities, including working in foreign countries. If you are unable to volunteer to work in another country, the organization also offers other volunteer opportunities, allowing teachers to make a difference in their own communities. Some positions involve translating documents, fundraising and expanding membership.
Tags: your students, Christmas Child, Operation Christmas, Operation Christmas Child, Child program