Volunteer in Nashville public schools and make a difference! There are several ways to volunteer and opportunities to work with different age groups. The PENCIL staff is ready to help you find the volunteer activity that works for your schedule and meets your interest. Whether you are already volunteering in a school or you are a new volunteer, you must register with PENCIL Foundation. Please fill out thisVolunteer Registration Formand mail or fax back to PENCIL.
Please review the volunteer opportunities below to determine whether background authorization is required. If it is, you will need to fill out the Background Authorization Form.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Academics – Background Check Required
Volunteers meet during the school day with a student or small group of students to help them increase their academic performance. An hour-long training session is required.
Reading tutors help an elementary or middle school student for 30 minutes per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. If you chose this opportunity, please write “Reading Partner” on your registration.
Classroom Readers read one to four times per month for 30-45 minutes to a classroom of elementary students. Please write “Classroom Reader” and indicate the number of times per month.
Math tutors help a group of up to four students for 45 minutes in grades 3-8 per week for minimum of eight weeks. Please write “Math Partner” on your registration.
Some schools need tutors in other academic areas. Please write “Other Academics” and indicate your area of expertise.
Mentoring – Background Check Required
Volunteers meet during the school day with a student or small group of students to provide knowledge, skills, information and perspective as the youngsters encounter everyday challenges at school and home. An hour-long training session is required.
Career Mentoring volunteers work with a small group of high school ninth-graders for one hour per week for a minimum of 12 weeks to discuss careers and personal development topics. Please write “Career Mentor” on your registration.
Traditional Mentoring volunteers meet with an individual student in grades K-12 for 30-60 minutes per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Please write “Traditional Mentor” on your registration.
Enrichment – Background Check May Be Required
Many volunteers share their professional or hobby skills by providing enrichment activities for students on an occasional or weekly basis during school or afterschool. The need for a background check varies; please check with the school principal. Please write “Enrichment” on your registration and specify your activity.
School Helper – Background Check May Be Required
Some volunteers want to provide general help in the school office, library or lunchroom. Other volunteers have already identified a unique position in consultation with a teacher or principal. The need for a background check varies; please check with the school principal. Please write “School Helper” on your registration and specify your activity.
Agency volunteers-- Background Check May Be Required
Many Nashville nonprofit agencies provide volunteers for our schools. Please write “Agency Volunteer” and specify the organization and activity.
LP PENCIL Box – Background Check Not Required
LP PENCIL Box volunteers work at the school supply center at McCann Learning Center in West Nashville during the workweek or on selected Saturdays. Please write “PENCIL Box” on your registration.
Volunteer in Nashville public schools and make a difference! There are several ways to volunteer and opportunities to work with different age groups. The PENCIL staff is ready to help you find the volunteer activity that works for your schedule and meets your interest.