Volunteer for Citizen Schools – Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of experience do I need? What kinds of topics can I teach? Where can I teach? What is the time commitment? When do apprenticeships begin and end? Can I teach with someone else? What if I don't know anyone who can teach with me? I can't commit to teaching an apprenticeship, but I still want to be involved in Citizen Schools. What are my options? Can I assist an experienced volunteer before trying it myself? What kind of training will I receive? What kinds of resources are available to Citizen Teachers? What kinds of facilities are available to Citizen Teachers? Can I see some existing lesson plans or curricula? Can I see some WOW!s? How will I be supported? How do I get started?

1) What kind of experience do I need?

Volunteering with Citizen Schools doesn't require any teaching experience as only a handful of our Citizen Teachers come to us with it. Dedication and enthusiasm are the most important qualities in a successful Citizen Teacher. You are guaranteed to experience challenges that will require a personal commitment to working with your apprentices, so experience working with youth or leading teams is helpful.

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2) What kinds of topics can I teach?

Everything from web design to fishing! At Citizen Schools, we are experts at helping you develop fun and engaging apprenticeships, based on whatever you know and love to do. If you are a lawyer or a business professional or an artist, you can teach law or business or art. If you are a lawyer who loves to garden or play the guitar, you can teach those things too. We offer detailed, flexible, time-tested apprenticeship plans in popular areas like business, journalism, creative writing, and technology to get you started. Citizen Teachers have taught hundreds of apprenticeships in a wide variety of subjects.

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3) Where can I teach?

Citizen Schools serves many sites across the country. Find a Citizen Schools site near you!

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4) What is the time commitment?

The whole experience spans 13 weeks and between 30 and 40 hours. Here's what it includes:

• Extensive group and 1:1 training with Citizen Schools staff
• An on-site orientation and Apprenticeship Fair in the first week
• 10 weeks of instruction with apprentices, culminating in a WOW!
• On-going coaching with your Citizen Schools Team Leader
• A final session in the 11th week for apprentices and Citizen Teachers to reflect on their journey

We find that most of our volunteers put far more into their experience with us than we could detail here. It's amazing what comes over you when you start to share your passion with an enthusiastic group of middle school youth!

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5) When do apprenticeships begin and end?

We provide apprenticeships in two fixed semesters during the academic year.

• Spring apprenticeships generally begin in the last week of February and end in mid-May.
• Fall apprenticeships generally begin in the last week of September and end in mid-December.

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6) I can't commit to teaching an apprenticeship, but I still want to be involved in Citizen Schools. What are my options?

We have other volunteer opportunities on a very limited basis. These opportunities include volunteering as a panelist or a judge, helping out at Citizen School events, assisting with mailings and administrative work and coaching apprentices during their homework time. These opportunities are available on a site-to-site basis at the discretion of the Campus Director. Contact a Campus Director at a Citizen Schools site near you.

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7) Can I teach with someone else?

Yes! In fact, we encourage Citizen Teachers to teach in teams. We find it very helpful to have another set of hands in the classroom. Additionally, if for some reason you cannot be at an apprenticeship session, you will have someone who can lead it that week. We do encourage volunteers teaching in teams to clearly define their responsibilities and roles to facilitate communication and planning.

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8) What if I don't know anyone who can teach with me?

As able, we will match up volunteers who have similar interests and site preferences.

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9) Can I assist an experienced volunteer before trying it myself?

As able, we will match up individuals with an experienced volunteer. Keep in mind that anxiety about teaching is totally natural, but we want you to be as comfortable about your apprenticeship as possible. The staff at Citizen Schools will help you with lesson plans, developing your WOW! and anything else you may need to lead a great apprenticeship. Remember, thousands of adults just like you have become successful Citizen Teachers!

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10) What kind of training will I receive?

At Citizen Schools, we believe that preparation is key to both the student learning experience and the Citizen Teacher experience. Learn more about how we prepare you to lead your apprenticeship.

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11) What kinds of resources are available to Citizen Teachers?

Each apprenticeship receives an $80 budget for expenses related to the apprenticeship. Generally, this budget has covered expenses like travel during the apprenticeship, snacks and paper supplies. We encourage volunteers to seek donations for apprenticeships if they anticipate needing more than $80. We can also supply you with flip chart paper, tape, markers and writing utensils at your site. Any items purchased for use in the apprenticeship and reimbursed by Citizen Schools, should be left at the site upon completion of the apprenticeship.

Our greatest resource is our experienced staff. You will form a close coaching relationship with the staff at your site. They will be with you every step of the way offering suggestions and encouragement.

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12) What kinds of facilities are available to Citizen Teachers?

The typical apprenticeship takes place in a public school classroom. Generally, volunteers are not permitted to write on the blackboards (we supply flip charts and markers) because the teachers who occupy the rooms during the school day often leave important class information on the board. Computer labs are available on a limited basis. If you are interested in using computers in your apprenticeship, we will work to place you at one of the sites where we have technology facilities. Cooking facilities, dance studios, and gyms are also available on a limited basis. Please discuss your facility needs with your site. 

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13) Can I see some existing lesson plans or curricula?

We can offer you apprenticeship curricula in areas such as business, architecture, law, finance, and community service. Select snapshots are available here. We have reference materials for many other subject areas, and the staff at your site will be able to connect you with them.  

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14) Can I see some WOW!s?

Yes! Check out some of our WOW!s that are available online. Or, if you'll be in one of our communities in mid-December or mid-May, give a call to the Campus Director of the nearest Citizen Schools site and see if you can visit a WOW! in person!

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15) How will I be supported?

Each Citizen Schools site is led by a Campus Director. Team leaders assist the Campus Director in developing curriculum and are in most cases responsible for a team of apprentices.  Your team leader (also called a Teaching Associate or a Teaching Fellow) will assist you in the classroom and provide coaching throughout your apprenticeship. We find that Citizen Teachers who maintain consistent and timely communication with their team leaders have the best experience and the most successful apprenticeships!

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16) How do I get started?

The first step is completing a volunteer application. Once you've completed your online application, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for Citizen Teacher training at a Citizen Schools campus near you. Once we've received your application, a member of our staff will be in touch to expand on the next steps. 

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