Generally the only teachers who volunteer at PTO events are those who are also parents in the district. If other teachers want to volunteer, they are always welcome. But it should not be a requirement.

IMHO, the role of the teacher is to teach. The role of the principal is to manage the school. The role of the parents is to volunteer time and money to support the schools.


Our teachers do support the PTO tremendously during our one fundraiser each fall. They collect money, they donate through kids who otherwise would be bringing in empty envelopes, they distribute prizes, they give up a half-day of instruction to lead the children in the walkathon event itself.

jodicamp , regarding your sentence "The teachers benefit from the money that is raised at the fundraisers."

I have alwasy been atschools that raised around 100k per year. I have nver seen a teacher at a meeting or at an event. And thats their decision and I dont question it.

I dont think teachers "benefit" from fundraisers. But the things bought with those $$ pays for stuff that allows them to perform their job better, and doing a better teaching job helps ALL the kids at the school.

Basically, we are happy to raise $$ for the school but dont 'expect' anything in return as in volunteer hours from staff, but only that they just keep on doing their job as well as they can.

Of course, they are more than welcome to attend pto things and meetings, and the show of involvement is a plus for the KIDS to see their teachers there, but its just not expected of 'becuase the $$$$ we rasied' went to the school (and why are we raising money in the first place ? becuase the beurocrats cut school FUNDING - I am more irritated by the funding cuts and having to raise money for library books that should paid for by taxes!!!!)

jodicamp, I know you are frustrated but I think you need to let this go a little, the amount of energy that you can put into wondering why can go to better use. Maybe take a look at things that your teacher do for you group, and trust me it may seem like they don't but I bet they do more than you think. I also worry about your statement of the PTO members having lifes outside of PTO, that line worries me because it sounds a little negative. If members of your pto are actually saying this you guys need to do some team building, some fun stuff just for your members, get some perspective back, that statement to me sounds like there is some burnout??maybe?
Trust us veterans you will have some that may help at some events, you may have a few that come to meetings, you will have that classroom help with sending home your materials, and that same help making sure your fundraisers get in the right place. Your group needs to be very careful with this issue, I have seen where schools dissolve parent groups because of things just like this.

beignets&coffee;129236 wrote: " In addition, our principal does not "make them" volunteer. "

Does the President/CEO of the fortune 500 company in your area 'make' their employees do pro bono work after hours?

Why should it be any different in public education?

Volunteer work is just that.

I don't think I would say volunteering for a school function is the same as pro bono work after hours. The teachers benefit from the money that is raised at the fundraisers. I guess I just don't understand why teachers cannot volunteer ONE hour a year to help out at fundraisers that are benefitting them as well as the students. I know they have lives outside of the classroom....so do all of the PTO members. We are there to support the teachers the best we can. I just don't think one hour a year is asking too much. I certainly may be in the minority, but this frustration is constant at our school.

CapeDad;129228 wrote: . I hope that when they do see an area where PTO can help, they submit a 'Wish List' item to us to address the problem.


How do the teachers/PTO do this? What types of items does the 'Wish List' cover? We had an anonymous request for wish lists for next year. It's never been done, we don't know what they are talking about or where to start.

Tim -

I love the article! Going to share it with all of our Board Members. Frustrations are running high this time of year. I think Spring Fever is kicking in. Thanks for the great perspective!