Frequently asked questions

How much time do I need to commit to JA?

The best part of being a JA volunteer is the flexibility. Volunteers in the elementary grades, K-6, present 5 activities, each about 35-45 minutes in length at a time determined by the teacher and the volunteer. Middle grade volunteers present 8 activities, 45 minutes in length. High School programs are taught by the teacher and the volunteer serves as a resource person, meeting with the students at times determined by the teacher and volunteer, with a minimum of 8 meetings.

We ask that each JA volunteer visit the classroom for an observational visit before starting the program. This initial visit provides an opportunity to observe the teacher’s classroom management style, introduce yourself to the students, become familiar with the school, and set up the schedule of visits.

JA is offered three times during the school year. The Fall Term begins in early October and ends in December before school vacation. The Winter Term begins in January and ends in early March. The Spring Term runs from mid-March through May. Scheduling of actual class visits during each term is flexible and determined by the teacher and the volunteer.

Do I have to know how to teach?

No, you don’t have to know how to teach to present JA’s interactive hands-on activities. JA provides training, easy to use materials, a concise Consultant Guide and support to help every JA volunteer have a successful JA experience.

Can I only teach one (1) class during the year?

That’s the great part about JA- the flexibility!!! Volunteers can teach as many classes as they wish, during the school year. Some volunteers teach the same class, every year at the same time of year. Other volunteers teach one class each term, while others take the winter off. When and where you teach JA depends on your schedule and your preferences.

How do I know where JA classes are requested?

Each year teachers across the state request JA. A complete list of class requests is kept at the JA office in Portland. If you don’t have JA in your area, you could approach a local school on your own and if there is interest, the JA staff will work with you to secure funding and program materials.

What skills do I need to be a JA volunteer?

JA volunteers are as diverse as the many faces in our state. Our volunteers are business community, retired seniors, high school and college students, parents and community members. All JA volunteers have one thing in common- a passionate desire to help young people learn more about their world and to broaden their horizons by introducing them to new ideas and career opportunities. JA is about sharing life experiences with young people and encouraging them to strive to be the best they can and to realize the world offers many choices.

What can I expect when I sign up to become a JA volunteer?

JA is dedicated to ensuring that each JA volunteer has a successful JA experience. Training is mandatory for each new volunteer and always open to returning volunteers who want to share their experiences or refresh their skills. Trainings are held once a month at location in Portland or if you live in a JA Advisory Council area, local trainings are available.

Training sessions are one-hour and offer a brief history of JA, a review of student characteristics and a review of the JA program materials.

New volunteers are also offered the opportunity to “shadow” a veteran JA volunteer. The JA mentors can offer presentation tips, insights into the program and support for new volunteers.

The JA Program Director maintains close contact with each volunteer, through mail, email and is always available to answer questions. In addition JA staff members and Board members are involved in class observations for new JA volunteers. Class observations offer another opportunity to interact with an experience JA volunteer and the written follow up can offer insights into presentation and program techniques.

At the end of each JA term, volunteers and teachers are asked to complete an evaluation form, providing feedback on the JA training process, materials, and class experience and teaching partnership. Each evaluation is reviewed and ideas or problems are acted upon if possible.

Am I alone in the classroom?

JA is a teaching partnership. The teacher should never leave the room unless there is an emergency. The JA volunteer presents each activity and the teacher provides classroom management if needed, offers insights into the class, helps out if the volunteer needs assistance and follows up on the concepts presented by the JA volunteer during the time between visits.

What happens if my teacher leaves me alone?

Speak to the teacher about the need to stay in the classroom. If you don’t receive an answer that satisfies you or the behavior continues contact the JA Program Director who will contact the teacher and reinforce the partnership concept and the need to remain in the classroom and be a participant in the activities.

What does the JA program kit look like?

Each JA volunteer receives a “nifty” JA briefcase complete with all the materials necessary to have a successful JA experience! Each kit contains two Consultant and Teacher Guides, one for you and one for the teacher. All student materials are packages in lots of 30. Most kits contain student workbooks, Certificates of Achievement, JA postcards and magnets, a pretest and posttest, and interactive presentation materials. Each JA Consultant Guide contains a Master List of the kit materials and should be reviewed before the class starts.

What do I do with the extra materials?

More than likely you will have student materials leftover. The average class size in Maine is 19-21 students. JA program materials are packages for 30 students. The extra materials may be left with the teacher or recycled.

How do I contact my teaching partner?

JA provides each volunteer with the name, address, telephone number and email address (if available) for the teaching partner. As technology increases in the local schools, it is hoped that we will be able to supply all email addresses. The volunteer should first call the school and either speak to the teacher or leave a message. This can result in “phone tag.”

The best time to contact teachers is before school or within 15 minutes after school ends. As a general rule, high school and middle schools begin classes by 7:30AM and end between 1:45PM and 2:30PM. Elementary schools usually start between 8:15 and 8:45 and end between 2:45 and 3:15PM.

If you experience difficulty in reaching your teacher after leaving several messages, please contact the JA Program Director or your local JA Advisory Council. Don’t wait until the term is over, it is important to let the office know if classes are proceeding as scheduled!

Why do I have to fill out forms?

There are several forms all volunteers are required to complete:

• The Volunteer Information form is completed before the volunteer is placed in a class or receives training. This form provides the contact information for the JA office or local Advisory Council and will be given to the teaching partner. In addition at the bottom of the form, the volunteer must sign that he/she has read, understands and will abide by the Volunteer Conduct Standards, which are printed on the reverse of the Volunteer Information form.
• The Class Registration form is sent to the volunteer along with the teaching partner information and is to be completed and returned to the JA office in Portland after the first class visit. The Class Registration form provides vital information to JA including the number of students and the time and days of the classes.

Who started JA?

Junior Achievement was founded by Horace Moses, who also founded 4-H, in 1919 in Springfield, MA. The program was designed to help young people recognize how their talent and abilities can create better lives for themselves and those around them.

What is JA’s Mission?

The mission of Junior Achievement is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

When did JA start in Maine?

JA has been in Maine since 1965. It started with the Company Program model, where students from area high schools met at a central location, formed a company, sold stock, made a product, sold the product, hopefully earned a profit and then liquidated the company. The students were guided by a group of 4-5 adult advisors from area companies. Local companies provided the funds to help support the programs.

Is JA just for high school students?

No, JA is for all students grades K-12. In the early 1970’s JA introduced Project Business, an in-school economic education for middle school grade students. The program was so successful that soon a sequential economic education program was developed for students K-12.

How does JA work?

JA takes a partnership approach to education. JA matches funding and volunteers and classrooms. Educators provide access to the classroom and a learning environment. Corporations, small businesses, foundations, individuals and service clubs contribute volunteers and financial resources. For its part, JA develops the curriculum, secures the funding, and recruits and trains volunteers to provide programs to students in grades.