Volunteer with JA

Junior Achievement (JA) economic education programs are taught by trained volunteers from the local business and professional community.  Our Classroom Consultants serve as role models and share their expertise utilizing integrated, sequential and age-appropriate curricula that help young people use information, apply basic skills, think critically and solve complex problems.

Volunteers are provided with an orientation that prepares them to enter the classroom for a successful series of lessons. All consultants are given detailed lesson plans, student workbooks, and virtually all of the needed materials.  The lessons are designed specifically for each grade level, and contain lots of hands-on and group activities to make them fun and interesting for everyone involved.  The experience is much like bringing a field trip to the classroom.

The elementary programs consist of five lessons each, requiring the consultant to make five weekly visits to the same classroom. Each visit will last from a half hour to an hour, depending on the grade level. The middle school programs consist of six lessons each, with each visit lasting the length of a middle school period.  The High School programs are more diverse in their requirements.

JA also provides programming to after school programs, summer programs, lunchtime Career Seminars and Job Shadow opportunities.  While many of these programs take place during the school year, a growing number occur over the summer. In addition JA provides guest speakers to classrooms, facilitating volunteers in sharing their expertise with students on a short term basis, usually 1-3 visits.

Prospective volunteers are interviewed to determine which program best fits their background and interests.  Volunteers are matched with a classroom and arrange the schedule of lessons with the teacher.  For elementary programs the scheduling is flexible—less so for middle and high school programs.  Your involvement will make a difference to the next generation.  We invite you to take up the challenge.  Get involved today!