JA of Central Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do I have to know how to teach?

No, you do not have to know how to teach. JA staff provides all the training necessary to teach your class. Also, materials provided include Consultant Guides and other support to help you have a successful experience. This gives you the opportunity to gain teaching experience and sharpen your presentation skills. In addition, JA staff members are always here to help you through the process.

2) Do I have to provide my own materials?

No, classroom materials are provided by Junior Achievement and are funded by contributions from business in the greater Richmond area. All you provide is your time, business experience, and willingness to share your skills and expertise with future entrepreneurs.

3) What is the time commitment?

Elementary programs require a 5-week commitment at 35-40 minutes per week.
Middle grades require an 8-10 week commitment at 50 minutes per week.
High school programs require 12-13 week commitment at 1 hour per week.

4) Is training provided?

Yes, training is provided by the Junior Achievement Education Managers. The training takes approximately 1-12 hours. The training allows the volunteer to become familiar with the program materials and classroom management techniques. Online training resources are also available.

5) How far do I have to travel to teach a class?

You may choose to deliver programs at a school near your home or your place of employment. Junior Achievement serves the Richmond area and the surrounding counties. To see a listing of participating schools, please click here.

6) What if I travel frequently for business and my work schedule interferes with my JA schedule?

Many of our volunteers choose to team-teach a class with a colleague. A team of two consultants is a great way to be able to volunteer even with a tough workload.

7) How can Junior Achievement provide programs to schools at no charge?

The programs are funded through the generous contributions of local businesses, civic organizations, individuals like you and annual special events. To find out more about how you can help Junior Achievement financially, please click here.

8) How many students does Junior Achievement of Central Virginia reach?

Junior Achievement of Central Virginia reaches more than 17,000 students and is expected to grow every year. By the year 2005, Junior Achievement expects to reach 20,000 students!

9) Who can Voluteer for JA?

Junior Achievement volunteers come from diverse age groups, backgrounds, and occupations. Business professionals, senior citizens, retirees, parents, and college students all take time out of their busy schedules to teach kids how business works. When volunteers draw upon their own personal experiences, they bring credibility to the information and new perspectives into the classroom.

10) Once I sign up, how do I contact the teacher?

JA Education Managers will provide you with the contact information. As a volunteer it is your responsibility to contact the teacher. Remember that leaving a message for the teacher does not always mean that he/she has received it. If you don't hear back from the teacher within the next couple of days, make a second call.

11) What do I do if I am unable to attend my scheduled session?

The teacher has already planned that time for a JA program. Please be considerate and call the teacher, ahead of time if possible, and let her/him know that you will not be presenting a JA program for that day. Please make sure you schedule a different time with the teacher so that all lessons in the material are covered.

12) Am I alone in the classroom with the students?

No. The teacher will be in the classroom at all times. The teacher serves as a second consultant, shares any information with you that will make the program run smoothly, assists in your presentations, reinforces the concepts between lessons, and manages student behavior.

13) What should I do if a student is disruptive?

On the first visit, be sure you discuss discipline with the teacher. Familiarize yourself with the school's discipline policies. If a pattern of disruption is present and discipline is needed, the teacher is responsible for delivering it.

14) What happens once I finish my class?

You should submit a Completion Form to the JA office and at the end of the semester you will receive an Evaluation Form to fill out. You may also submit the Evaluation Form online.

15) How does JA determine if programs are helpful to the students?

At the end of each semester, JA sends out evaluation forms to volunteers, as well as teachers. After receiving the forms back, they are summarized and evaluated. Also, please visit the "About JA" area of this Web site to see SOL correlations.