JA Spolights
Volunteers
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, JA would like to recognize a few volunteers whose dedication in the classroom has inspired students, teachers, and other volunteers. Read on!
JA Volunteer:
Melanie Williams
Employer:
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
JA Class:
Careers with a Purpose
What inspires me to donate my time are the kids that I am helping and seeing what they are learning through the program.
The impact of this program that I have seen is that some students who are shy come out of there shell. Those who really are interested are striving to do better or find other programs with JA that they are interest them.
Some students like what I am doing--volunteering my time--they would like to do it also for younger kids. So I feel that the program helps everyone involved whether you are the teacher in class, student or volunteer you all get a reward at the end. That is knowing you have helped someone.
One of my favorite moments is from my first time teaching. I had one student who I though would never listen to me. One day he came to me after class and started asking me questioned about what we just went over in class. Here I thought he was not paying me any attention but he just didn't want his peers to know that he was really interested in what I was saying. When I go back to the school sometimes he comes by and talks me about what colleges he wants to attend and can I help me achieve his goal in life to become a successful business man. That is all the reward that I need is to know that I have touch some child's life with JA.
Teacher Feedback:
Melanie's classroom teacher said this about her JA Volunteer: "Melanie went above and beyond what was required of her. She contacted colleges and put folders together for each student."
JA Volunteer:
Richard Sale
JA Class:
High School Programs
Over the last 7 years I have had the time to volunteer. I have found JA to be
the most rewarding for me and I feel I can be more impactful with my time. It
has been a great experience!
I work mostly with high school seniors, teaching economics and personal finance. I see
three big impacts for the students:
1. understanding how
what they are learning in class is used in the "business
world"
2. understanding of
economics/ business principals importance is every one's daily
life
3. exposure to a
"business professional." Most of the students I work with are from blue collar
homes with single parents.
What stands out for me is the good feeling I get
every time I meet with the students. I find most of the students very
appreciative of my efforts and that means a lot to me. I look forward to going to
class every time.
JA Volunteer:
David Riesland
Employer:
Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon
JA Class:
Ourselves
I have found that, over the years, I have developed a real connection with
the teachers at Shwab Elementary
school. I thoroughly enjoy the time that I spend in
their classrooms. They are as glad to see me as I am to see them and their
students.
This location of this particular school is such that many of the
students have very different home lives than my own child may enjoy. When I
visit the classroom, that is not very apparent, though. They are so thrilled to
have someone come to their class that makes them feel special that I can't help
but feel sad when my visits are complete. The reactions I get with each and every visit make me forget about
what my commitments might be taking me away from.
As we
progress through the series of stories and activities, I can see the children
doing a better job of listening to the stories in a way that they can retain
what they heard and be able to answer questions even if it is a couple of days
later. They seem eager to want to take the materials home to share with their
families. I'm also starting to get siblings of students that may have
been in one of my sessions five or six years ago. It took awhile to get used to
students telling me about handouts or activities before we had discussed them.
That makes me feel good that past students were sharing their materials at
home.
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Annalise Miyashiro, JA Intern
As part of her course of study at Vanderbilt University, Annalise was required to select a Nashville organization for whom she was interested in serving as an intern. Annalise chose to JA. She shares what she learned as a JA classroom volunteer and intern.
[During my JA internship I] started working on the pre- and post-test data collection
and analysis. I was given resources from the JA office in Eastern Iowa and encouraged to make adjustments. While I'm competent in Excel, I wouldn't
consider it an area of expertise - I had a lot of work ahead of me. I went through the different tests and
weighed my options for how to incorporate the new attitudinal section of the
test. It was so exhilarating to discover
new Excel formulas and be able to put them in a spreadsheet to be used later,
and I left each day feeling satisfied with my progress.
Over the course of a few months I devised a new spreadsheet
template [to include the new] attitudinal
section, qualitative reflective information, and a student information
section. These were each broken down
into the districts and programs that would be featured in the study.
While I'm proud of my work with the pre- and
post-tests and hope will be able to benefit JA in the future, one of the most
rewarding aspects of the internship was getting to teach a JA class.
I taught Our Region
with Mrs. Bolton's class at Cockrill Elementary.
Despite being an education major, I was nervous going into class for the
first time. Some of the questions that
ran through my mind were, "Was I prepared enough? I'm still a student, what kind of real life/working
advice can I possible offer? Do I look
old enough to teach?" During my first
day of teaching the lesson went well and they were very receptive to learning and I
did my best to learn their names.
The next week I learned that they loved to dance and they
performed their chicken dance for me; I promised to teach them hula at the
conclusion of our class. By the end of
the five weeks I was sad to have to say goodbye. After completing the post-tests they had an
ice cream party and I had to get to class back at Vanderbilt, so I left with
the promise of returning for the hula lesson.
Three weeks later I returned to Cockrill Elementary with my
portable iPod speakers and a Hawaiian print dress. It was great seeing the class
again! I
taught them a section of Elvis's "Rock-a-Hula Baby." And even though they giggled while learning
the ami (a dance move where you move your
hips in a circle), we had a great time and they boldly took turns leading the
class.
Looking back on my experience with Junior Achievement, not
only do I feel so blessed to be welcomed into the JA family, I also feel
optimistic that the work I did will be beneficial to JA. I felt challenged by my tasks, grew my
knowledge base, and boosted my confidence while completing each small
task. I truly admire that the large
network of JA staff and volunteers who dedicate their time to a great purpose
and sincerely appreciate this opportunity.
Mahalo nui loa JA of Middle Tennessee! |
Generous Thanks!
Junior Achievement would like to thank the Rogers Group for their generous donation of $5,000 to support JA programming.
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JA Staff
Operations
Trent Klingensmith
President
Rachel Dyer
Director of Operations
Patrice Godshalk
Administration & Operations Assistant
Marketing
Beth Torres
VP, Events & Funding Development
Laura Lovell
Special Events Manager
Jessica Bowers
Marketing Associate
Programs
Andy Schenck
Director of Programs
Karen Boom
Program Manager
Holly Houston
Program Manager
Allison Wright
Program Manager
Charlisa Pugh
Program Manager, Job Shadow
Elizabeth Robertson
Programs Assistant
JA BizTown
Rachel Dyer
Director of JA BizTown
Leona Cherry
Instructional Manager
Lisa Erdman
Instructional Manager
Freya Hearn
Instructional Manager
Bethany Wynns
Instructional Manager
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About JA
JA believes helping young people succeed today will help our communities
succeed in the future.
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National Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 2009 In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, this month's Insight is dedicated to all the volunteers who work to make JA's mission possible in Middle Tennessee.
To all our volunteers--thanks for being incredible!
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Inside the President's Corner
with
Trent Klingensmith
Dear JA Supporters,
In celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2009, this issue of Insight is all about YOU--the people who keep this organization going strong throughout Middle Tennessee. We want to honor you and thank you for all that you do. None of our accomplishments would be possible without the dedication of our 2,000 volunteers. More than 40,000 students have already benefited from your contributions.
I, as well as the staff at JA and our Board members, want to thank you for the difference you are making in the lives of our young people with the gifts of your time, energy, and resources. You the volunteers are what truly make this organization stand out in the community, and I am very proud of that!
It is no coincidence that National Volunteer Appreciation Week comes at the end of National Financial Literacy Month. Throughout April, Junior Achievement offices across the country have recognized this designation by sharing tips and helpful hints on being financially literate within their communities. By celebrating our volunteers in Middle Tennessee, we are honoring the financial literacy education our students are receiving through your time in their classrooms.
Thank you again for all you do!
Sincerely,
Trent
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Volunteers Promote Events
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2009 Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Music City Bowl-A-Thon
Bowling on the High Seas
Volunteering with JA does not just occur in classrooms or in
JA BizTown. Thousands of community volunteers are actively supporting JA
through fundraising events, which ensure that Junior Achievement programs are
offered to teachers at no cost.
The 2009 Bowl-a-Thon, Bowling on the High Seas, will raise
$310,000 for JA programming, thanks to the efforts of 2,000 bowlers throughout
Middle Tennessee. More than 25 companies have already completed their day of fun
at the lanes and 10 more companies are awaiting their chance to be a part of
this event! Fundraising efforts are still going strong, ensuring that this
event will meet its goal. If you or your company would like to get involved, it
is not too late! Just contact Laura Lovell for more information.
Golfers enjoy a day at Gaylord Springs while supporting JA!
The Franklin American Mortgage Golf Classic presented by
Gaylord Entertainment will be held on June 12th at Gaylord Springs.
Companies from all over the Southeastern U.S.
will enjoy a first-class experience on the links, all while providing valuable
educational programs to Middle Tennessee students. A discounted sponsorship
rate is available through April 30th! Get more information and
register your team here
or contact Laura Lovell.
Volunteers are also needed to drive drink
carts, monitor hole in ones, and greet golfers. Please contact Jessica Bowers if you are interested in spending a day on the course making this
event a great experience for the golfers!
No matter what the event, your participation makes a huge
impact in Middle Tennessee and we thank you for your support!
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Volunteers Enhance Education
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JA in a Day provides convenient way to volunteer
When most volunteers hear "Junior Achievement" they think
about the traditional way of teaching JA, one lesson at a time over 5 to 7 weeks.This month we are highlighting a
different type of program called JA in a
Day. This is a program gaining popularity with JA of Middle Tennessee. Not only does it provide convenient volunteer opportunities for employees but it goes a long way to help us reach our goal of teaching JA to 45,000 students
this school year throughout Middle Tennessee.
JA in a Day allows
volunteers to go into the classroom for 3-4 hours and teach all of the lessons
in one day, sharing the teaching responsibilities among several people. This is particularly beneficial during the final month of school
because the children have learned a lot of the subject matter during the year,
and JA helps them retain that information before they head out for summer
break! JA in a Day is also helpful
for many volunteers because it allows you to block out several hours of time to
teach JA in one day as opposed to multiple visits over the course of several
weeks.
Many companies have shown interest in the program, as it provides team-building and volunteering opportunities for groups with a one-day time commitment. Ford Motor Credit and HSBC discovered this through particpation in the fall semester. We hope that
you and/or your company will consider volunteering through JA in a Day!
We want to say a special thanks to the
companies and volunteers that have developed partnerships in the following elementary schools:
AZ Kelley Regions
Mt. Juliet Deloitte
Mt. View Caterpillar Financial Services
HCA
JA Staff
Paragon Mills Ford Motor Credit
Pepsi
Roy Waldron Publix
Vanderbilt Medical Group
Caterpillar Financial Services
Tusculum Caterpillar Financial Services
If you are interested in volunteering with JA in a Day please contact the Programs Department to get more info.
Once again, we thank all of our volunteers, no matter in what capacity you donate your time! We could not reach so many children
each year without your commitment and dedication; thank you for all you do! |
Top Ten Volunteer Firms
as of April 10, 2009
Junior Achievement would like to recognize the following companies that encourage their employees to volunteer in the classroom. Thank you for your support!
Company # of Classes Taught # of Volunteers
1 Caterpillar Financial 124 77
Services
2 Regions 90 66
3 Ford Motor Credit 88 63
4 Deloitte 79 46
5 Publix Super Markets 74 46
6 Bridgestone Americas 55 43
7 State Farm Insurance 46 32
8 HCA 46 32
9 Square D Company 43 27
10 Ingram 36 28 |
Volunteers Bring Town to Life
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Adults help kids learn real-world skills
Volunteers are an essential part of JA BizTown - without
them the Town just wouldn't run as it should!
There is a volunteer in each of the 14 businesses in the town,
encouraging the students as they learn their jobs and start working, helping
them think through their decisions, and making connections for them between what
they are experiencing and "the real world."
This year, we've already had more than 750 volunteers in JA
BizTown. And the great thing is that as
beneficial as the program is for the students, it's also a great experience for
the volunteers too! Here's just a
handful of the feedback from volunteers so far this school year:
"This program totally rocks! I think the kids learned a
lot while having a great time. I had a great time too!"
Walnut Grove
Elementary, Williamson
County
Oakmont
Elementary, Sumner
County
"This was an awesome experience for the kids. They
learned so much! ...I love this field trip and so did the kids - they even said
they see how what they learn in school now applies to real life!"
Winstead
Elementary, Williamson
County
"It was an awesome experience! I only wish that all
schools would have the privilege of coming!"
Stoner Creek Elementary, Wilson County
"This was a fantastic opportunity for our kids. Thank
you to all staff - you were very organized and made it fun for adults and kids
alike!"
Sunset Elementary, Williamson
County
We're not
done with JA BizTown for the school year yet - we're looking forward to working
with the volunteers who will assist the 24 schools coming through this program
before the end of May!
If you've
ever volunteered with our JA BizTown program - thank you for the investment
you've made in the workforce of tomorrow.
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Volunteers Host Job Shadowers
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Nashville high school students shadow AT&T employees for a day.
JA volunteers are multi-faceted. Some teach programs in the classroom, some monitor a shop in JA BizTown. Others volunteer their time to teach students outside of the clasroom. AT&T employees recently volunteered in this way, hosting nearly 100 students from Metro Nashville's Big Picture and Pearl Cohn High Schools for a job shadow day.
On March 24, these students visited AT&T's Downtown and Brentwood locations, touring the facilities and participating in demonstrations, followed by on-site mentoring from the AT&T employees.
"In order to get the economy
growing again and to sustain that growth, we need to invest in America's
future, which includes giving today's students the skills and training to
compete and succeed in a global economy," said Gregg Morton, President of
AT&T Tennessee. "We're investing
time and talent to strengthen our communities by promoting education programs
that create economic opportunity."
The job shadow initiative is
part of the AT&T Aspire program, one of the largest-ever corporate
commitments to high school retention and workforce readiness. The initiative is
designed to support proven approaches to promoting educational success, from
the classroom to the workplace.
The AT&T/JA Worldwide
Job Shadow is committing 400,000 employee volunteer hours to reach 100,000
students in grades 9-12 over multiple years. Last fall, 8,205 students in 89
cities participated in the initiative.
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