¡Bienvenidos!

Welcome to the new school year! Volunteers are needed to make this program a success. Please consider volunteering for this very rewarding program. Training is provided for all volunteers interested.

The purpose of the elementary Spanish language program is to introduce the students to another language during their early years of formal language acquisition. Research has shown that this is the prime time for children to become bilingual, and Leander ISD has chosen Spanish to complement English as the dual languages. The vision is that elementary students will learn the rudiments of the Spanish language such as the alphabet, pronunciation rules, exception rules, and many vocabulary words relating to everyday life. They will also learn basic conversational skills. All the material that is taught is based on grade appropriateness.

Spanish Program Volunteers Needed

We are recruiting for the Volunteer Spanish Program for elementary schools. All training and teaching materials are provided. You can sign up by contacting Maria Vaso at [email protected].

General Information

Leander ISD’s Volunteer Spanish Program is recruiting volunteers for all elementary campuses (Grades K–5). Volunteers are matched with a classroom in the school of their choice and will teach Spanish once a week for 30 minutes. The district provides all program materials and training for volunteers.

Positions include:

  • Volunteer Teachers: Teachers should have an elementary level of Spanish and the ability to engage children for thirty-minute durations. Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire school year.
  • School Coordinator: The School Coordinator recruits volunteers and matches them with participating teachers at their school. Knowledge of the Spanish language is not necessary with this position. Coordinators may also serve as volunteer teachers.

If you would like information about the program, please contact our Global Lanuguages Coordinator, Maria Vaso at [email protected]

Program at a Glance

Volunteers will teach their assigned classroom for 30 minutes each week. Lessons are provided and follow the scope and sequence as follows:

Lesson #Kinder1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade
1 & 2Greetings and Magic WordsGreetings and Magic WordsNumbers (0–100)Simple PhrasesSimple PhrasesSimple Phrases
3 & 4Numbers (0–20)Numbers (0–50)AlphabetNumbers (0–2,000+)Math FunctionsSchool Subjects
5 & 6ColorsColorsVowels and ConsonantsPersonal PronounsPrepositionsAdjectives
7 & 8ClassroomClassroom (Expanded)CognatesSportsExpanded TimeFrequency Words
9 & 10OppositesOppositesQuestionsTimeCommunity PlacesChores
11 & 12Animals (Pets)Animals (Farm)Animals (Zoo)Animals (Sea)Solar SystemTable Settings
13 & 14Immediate FamilyExtended FamilyFood (3 Meals)Fruits and VegetablesMeatsRestaurant
15 & 16Days of the WeekThe CalendarTransportationProfessionsInfinitivesInternal Body Parts
17 & 18Main Body PartsBody Parts (Face)Body Parts (Expanded)EmotionsHealthFive Senses
19 & 20Months and SeasonsShapesWeatherBackyardTener IdiomsGeography
21 & 22SongsAt SchoolRooms in the HouseFurnitures and AppliancesHousehold ItemsVacations
23 & 24Simple CommandsSimple CommandsClothingClothing AccessoriesActivitiesFinal Review

Volunteer Teacher Guidelines

In order to promote volunteering in LISD schools, it is essential for all volunteers to adhere to a professional code of ethics. We ask that volunteers pay special attention to the following items:

Volunteer Code of Ethics 

  1. Attitude: Volunteers are recognized as professionals. In that role, a professional attitude is one of mutual respect and confidence. Remember to be friendly and courteous at all times. Please come to school with a good attitude, one that will say to the principal, teachers and students that you are happy to be there and that you are glad to have this opportunity to work with them.
  2. Classroom Management: Although the classroom teacher is required to remain in the classroom during the Spanish lessons, the volunteer is expected to reinforce the classroom rules of conduct. Appropriate language and behavior are expected of all volunteers.
  3. Dependability: Make a professional commitment to be dependable and on time. Please notify the school as soon as possible if you are unable to come to school and fulfill your volunteer commitment. The teachers and students are counting on you. If any issues arise that will keep you from fulfilling your commitment please let the classroom teacher know right away.
  4. Communication: We want your volunteer work to be a great experience. If you have any questions concerning policy and procedures, please ask the appropriate person: the teacher, School Coordinator, District Coordinator, or the principal.
  5. Confidentiality: Like teachers, volunteers have a code of ethics to keep confidential matters within the school. Discussion of confidential matters and criticism of students or school personnel is inappropriate. As a volunteer, we do not want to be responsible for sharing any information that might be detrimental to a student or staff member.
  6. Support: As volunteers, you are in a support position. You can also expect to receive the support of the classroom teacher, the office staff, the School Spanish Coordinator and the District Spanish Coordinator. If you have any questions, concerns, or need guidance, please ask the appropriate person.
  7. Dress and Grooming: Volunteers are to reflect professionalism in dress and grooming. Please come dressed as you would expect a classroom teacher to dress.

Volunteer Spanish Teacher’s Guidelines

  1. All volunteers must fill out a volunteer application for the district and get a background check. Volunteers must get cleared by the district prior to volunteering at the school. The application is available at this link: Volunteer Application
  2. All first-time volunteers must attend an orientation held by Michelle Michels, Spanish Volunteer Program Specialist. Returning volunteers may also attend, if they choose.
  3. Contact your teacher and give them your contact information. Send them the expectations for the program. Your school coordinator will send this to you.
  4. Once your day and time has been assigned to you, you need to be there each week unless your teacher tells you differently. Please be reliable, as your teacher is planning the week’s lessons around this class. Plus, the students look forward to it each week.
  5. Notify the classroom teacher as soon as possible if you cannot make a class. You can also call volunteers from the sub list or fellow Spanish teacher volunteers for a replacement for the week. If you cannot reach the teacher, have the office notify the teacher that you have a sub coming in or need to cancel or reschedule.
  6. Lesson ideas are included on the Program Lesson Plans & Resources page. You can always work with one another on lesson planning or contact your School Coordinator for lesson ideas.
  7. Please return any supplies that you take for a lesson once your lesson is complete. You are not to take any materials out of the school.
  8. Confidentiality: Please do not discuss confidential matters outside of the classroom. 
  9. Any problems throughout the year, please contact your School Coordinator or Michelle Michels, Spanish Volunteer Program Specialist, at [email protected].

Helpful Teaching Suggestions

  1. It is normal to be nervous on the first day of class. Spend the time you need to introduce yourself and get to know the students. This will put you at ease and get the kids excited that they are learning Spanish.
  2. It will take a couple of weeks to get a feel for the type of class you have. You may have an active class or one that is laid back. Once you know, you can plan activities that match their energy level and interests. 
  3. If students get too excited and talk out of turn, just remind them of the classroom rules. Also, review the discipline system with the classroom teacher so that you can be consistent with the teacher. You may even use Spanish commands to reinforce good behavior such as “Siéntate, por favor,” or “¡Presta atención!” The Spanish version of David Goes to School is an awesome way to talk about the rules in Spanish class.
  4. Implement cooperative learning strategies (Think, Pair, Share or Round Robin). Try to plan activities where students can encourage and help each other through equal participation. This is especially effective for students who feel intimidated talking in front of a large group.
  5. Come over-prepared! Some lesson activities are completed much quicker than you would think. Have a few games or songs in your back pocket so that you are never left without something to do. Puppets are also a great way to teach language in a fun, engaging manner.
  6. Create a routine! Have a hello song at the beginning of the lesson and a good-bye song at the end. Students do well with routine. If you can play the guitar or ukulele bring it to play during the songs!
  7. Have fun! Be excited and your students will be excited!

Coordinator Guidelines

  1. School Coordinators (SC) will work with the District Coordinator (DC) in setting up the Spanish program at their school and maintaining it throughout the year.
  2. The School Coordinator (SC) and the District Coordinator (DC) will meet with the principal at the beginning of the year to discuss the program.
  3. The SC will recruit volunteers during the first month through fliers, newsletters, and PTA correspondences. (Press release to be provided by DC)
  4. The SC will direct all volunteers to complete a district volunteer application and background check form. They will also forward to volunteers all pertinent information provided to them by the DC.
  5. The SC will determine the grade preference, days, times, and number of classes each volunteer teacher is willing to teach.
  6. The SC will send an email to their school’s teaching staff informing them about the program. This email will be sent through the principal’s office. (email to be provided by DC). This email also informs teachers of how they can sign up for the program.
  7. Once teachers have signed up, the SC will match each one with a volunteer.
  8. SC will send an introductory email to both the classroom teacher and the volunteer. This email (provided by DC) will contain contact information for both parties as well as the assigned day and time for Spanish lessons.
  9. The SC will provide the volunteer Spanish teachers AND the office a copy of the final Spanish schedule. This schedule will also include the names and contact information for all the volunteers.
  10. SC will notify DC of any teaching materials issues. They will also make sure at the end of the year, all materials are neatly returned and organized for the following year.

Campus Staff Guidelines

  1. The principal and the District Coordinator will meet to discuss how the program will be implemented at the school.
  2. The principal will inform the staff (classroom teachers, librarian and office staff) about the Spanish program and what their roles will be within the program.
  3. If the program is new to a school, the principal will work with the Spanish Coordinator to set up a location to store the teaching materials. Materials should be placed where classroom lessons will not be disturbed by volunteers retrieving materials.
  4. The District Coordinator will provide the principal with the name and contact number of their school’s coordinator. The principal will then provide this information to the office staff along with the District Coordinator’s name and contact number.
  5. The office staff will direct calls concerning the program to either the School Coordinator, the District Coordinator, or the principal.
  6. It may be necessary at times for the office staff and/or the principal to help the School Coordinator with recruitment (fliers displayed, press releases included in the school’s weekly newsletter, etc.)
  7. The classroom teachers will work with the School Coordinator and the volunteer Spanish teachers to set up the schedule for their Spanish classes. The Spanish classes can be taught during non-core curriculum times.
  8. The classroom teachers must remain in the classroom during the Spanish lesson. This is required by the district.
  9. The classroom teachers will be provided with the contact number and email address for their volunteer Spanish teacher.
  10. Classroom teachers need to notify their volunteer Spanish teacher whenever a school activity such as testing, parties, an assembly, field trips, etc. will interfere with the Spanish lesson.

Appreciation

Thank you for participating in the LISD Volunteer Spanish Language Program. This program exists because of your gift of time. It is greatly appreciated!

And thank you to the Spanish Volunteer Coordinators who served on the committee to make this website possible. We truly appreciate the countless hours you spent working on revising manuals and creating lesson plans.