Georgia teenagers taking on real teaching responsibility — planning lessons, managing a classroom over video conferencing, and being accountable for another child's progress — well beyond what a typical high school volunteer opportunity offers.
We see this as a genuine civic-engagement and leadership-development pipeline for Northeast Georgia youth, built around the same model that built the organization itself: young people stepping up to lead, not just participate.
This document outlines what the role involves, what we expect of volunteers, and how volunteer hours are tracked and certified.
Part 1Role & Responsibilities
As an ESL Volunteer Instructor, you will:
1Plan lessons appropriate to your assigned student's level, using provided curriculum materials and resources as a foundation.
2Lead live video sessions with your assigned student via Google Meet, on the schedule agreed with your coordinator.
3Track student progress across sessions — noting what was covered, what needs reinforcement, and any concerns.
4Log attendance for every session in the volunteer portal immediately after each class.
5Communicate professionally with your student (and, where applicable, their family) through the in-app messaging system.
6Report any concerns — technical, behavioral, or safety-related — to your adult coordinator promptly, per the Digital Code of Conduct.
Part 2Time Commitment
45 minutes per week
One full semester (~12–16 weeks)
Fixed day/time, agreed with coordinator
At least 24 hours in advance
Part 3Obligations
By participating, volunteers agree to:
1Arrive prepared and on time for every scheduled session.
2Maintain a respectful, encouraging, and patient teaching approach at all times.
3Keep all sessions supervised per the Digital Code of Conduct — adult oversight is always in place per Article Seven of the Corporation's Bylaws.
5Log hours accurately and promptly — certificates are issued based on logged, verified sessions only.
6Continue to comply with the signed Online Youth Volunteer Agreement for the full duration of participation.
Part 4Volunteer Hours Certification
1Hours are tracked automatically through the volunteer portal's session and attendance log.
2Certificates are issued upon request or at the end of each semester, reflecting total verified hours.
3Certificates are signed by the Director and include the volunteer's name, total hours, program dates, and a brief description of responsibilities — suitable for school service-hour requirements, National Honor Society, scholarship applications, or resume use.
4School counselors or verifiers may contact risingwithmelodies@gmail.com to confirm any certificate's authenticity.
Part 5Standing & Removal
Volunteers who do not meet attendance commitments, violate the Code of Conduct, or fail to maintain professional standards may have their certificate eligibility paused or their volunteer status ended, at the discretion of the Board.
Part 6Questions
Contact your coordinator or risingwithmelodies@gmail.com with any questions about scheduling, responsibilities, or certification.
Volunteer hours certificates issued under this program are signed by: