I may be the only teacher on this board struggling with this but here goes. This is my 3rd year at my school. Part of our evaluations now involve campus involvement. Well to suffice it to say I don't have any. At the beginning of the year we were asked if we could volunteer to monitor detention and that would count on it. I did and got back that they didn't need me. Ok, sure. I have no idea what committees exist because they're not readily advertised. Pretty much anytime I have ever said Sure, I can be there. What do you want me to do? I get shot down. :crosseyed I'm a self-contained special ed teacher with an odd lunch time and no real team to speak of. What are some things that you did to get more involved?
Brainstorm some needs of your school, then talk with your principal about starting something to discuss this. Or ask your principal what committees exist and what you can join.
I teach 6th-8th grade students who are non-verbal. I'm not athletic by any means. I didn't think about clubs.
Maybe see if you can facilitate some sort of program where mainstream students come to your class during lunch/study hall to spend time with the kids in special education? You can market it as some sort of "Compassion Project".
School play? It is a HUGE undertaking so even if you aren't dramatically inclined there are still programs to create and print, costumes to find/make, advertising or ticketing to be done and just generally being an extra set of hands during practice for "crowd control". Does your school have any math or literacy nights? Volunteering for something like that might count? Chaperoning a dance?
I love the idea of heading up some charity or philanthropic undertaking - or parenting night for math/literacy. How about a book club or chess club? Our committees are listed at the beginning of the year. Ask your P. You could also consider anyone who is going to be out due to a health issue or maternity leave and ask the P if help is needed covering for that individual. I struggled with this at one school after a change in leadership. Not a problem currently - finding time for it all is more the issue now. I have 8 meetings and 3 presentations in a three-week period!
At my school the student council has to approve all school clubs. Often students will go to them and ask for a time and official charter or whatever, but they do not have a faculty member to sponsor them. If I were you I'd approach the student council or whomever runs this and say you'll step up if any kids need you for that purpose.
