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At every school, there are opportunities for you as a teacher to be involved with students outside the classroom. This could be as common as taking your students on a school field trip to sponsoring a group of students who are going to work independently with senior citizens as part of a history project. There are school-sponsored clubs, sport teams and community service projects that rely on teachers to supervise and coach participants.

Some teachers feel uncomfortable working with students on something unrelated to instructional activities in a classroom. If you are unsure of your ability to take on this role, discuss your questions and concerns with an administrator, a mentor or a colleague. You might also see if there is an opportunity for you to assist a more experienced teacher for the first part of the year or entire year so that you can gain experience yourself without having to take full responsibility.

Working with students outside class usually feels less formal, emphasizing a different dynamic between teacher and student. Here are some tips for making it a successful experience for both you and the students you work with:
  1. Do not become overly familiar with students. Remember that you are not "one of them" no matter how close in age you are. It is easier in informal situations to see yourself as a friend more than a teacher. Always remember that you are a professional educator when working with students in any capacity.

  2. Do not share too much personal information with students. This includes comments about your social life, who you live with, what you do in your free time and what you might think about other teachers. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would be comfortable sharing the information with students when an administrator or parent is present.

  3. Always be a good role model as a caring adult helping students make good decisions and improve their abilities.

  4. Be generous with your enthusiasm, support and appreciation for the efforts and energy students put into their extracurricular activities.

  5. Empower students with your trust by allowing them to make some decisions. Your job is to provide guidance and assistance, but the purpose of many extra-curricular activities is to expand opportunities for student leadership and decision-making.