2027 Literacy Project Volunteer Form

Thank you for your interest in being a guest reader for the 2027 Literacy Project: Dr. Nora Feldpausch's Little Grandpa and Me. Your time and enthusiasm as a volunteer are essential to the success of this program, helping us inspire students and share valuable knowledge about agriculture. We have been asked to add additional tools to your Volunteer Reader tool box before sendng you into classrooms--:) These are not designed to discourage anyone, but enhance your experiences, conversations and interactions with the students and the teachers. A fun and easy way is for each person to sign up online and have a training party at a group meeting!   

1. Individual sign ups--no longer are we allowed to have group signups by an individual or organization. Each Reader must fill out a sign up form. 

2. Training online modules or paper training will be available in December with a simple quiz at the end that is sent to CoAITC for verification of trained readers. Check with Cyndi if you would like a paper copy.   

3.  A list of schools that have requested a Volunteer Guest Reader can be found on this Google Spreadsheet linked here. bit.ly/3WZEd1t 

The list is organized by County. Be sure to take note of the number of classes and students requesting the visit as some schools will require more time. The teacher has also listed their ideal days and times to help you gauge if you can be their guest reader. If you see classes or schools that you would like to pair with, indicate that information on the third part of this form. We will then connect you with the teacher. We do expect that you will coordinate directly with the teacher once the initial connection has been made to schedule the visit and make any necessary arrangements.  

You only need to complete this form once. If there are additional classes/schools you'd like to visit that were not included on your form, please email those requests to Cyndi Hofmeister, CoAITC education program coordinator, at cyndi@CoAgClassroom.org. 

Please complete the following form. There are three sections to the form including: General Volunteer Information, CoAITC Volunteer, and Code of Conduct.  NEW in 2026: EVERY PERSON WHO SERVES AS A VOLUNTEER READER MUST COMPLETE AND PERSONALLY SIGN THE CODE OF CONDUCT, no substitutes please. 

Vision and Mission

The vision of Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom (CoAITC) is to advance agricultural literacy in the next generation of consumers, citizens, and professionals. CoAITC’s mission is connecting Colorado educators and students to their food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources.

Code of Conduct

Given its vision and mission, Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom (CoAITC) asks and expects volunteers to follow a set of standards of behavior. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure a positive experience for students, teachers, volunteers, and others and to protect the safety of the volunteer, students, teachers, employees, and other involved parties. 

As a volunteer, I will: 

1. Act in a way that is in line with the purpose and values of CoAITC and that enhances the work of CoAITC.
2. Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
3. Be responsible and accountable in the way I carry out my role.
4. Follow CoAITC’s Nondiscrimination Policy and Whistleblower Policy. 
5. Follow the rules and policies of the school, classroom, and event.
6. Be respectful of others’ abilities.
7. Respect the privacy of all students, teachers, volunteers, and others by keeping all information confidential (including, but not limited to test results, identity, contact information, and home/family matters).
8. Be dependable and prepared, and arrive on time
9. Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children and/or youth, never drawing specific attention to individuals based on race, creed, religion or color.
10. Never be alone with individual children and/or youth without another adult being notified.
11. Maintain appropriate physical boundaries at all times, and touch others - when necessary - only in ways that are appropriate, public, and non-sexual. 
12. Communicate any concerns or questions to the teacher, principal, or CoAITC Executive Director.

As a volunteer, I will NOT:

1. Touch or speak to others in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
2. Inflict any physical or emotional abuse such as striking, spanking, shaking, slapping, humiliating, ridiculing, threatening, bullying, or degrading others.
3. Use profanity while volunteering.
4. Smoke, vape, use, possess, or be under the influence of tobacco products, cannabis products, or illegal drugs at any time while volunteering. 
5. Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
6. Give a child who is not my own a ride home alone.
7. Engage in private communications with children and/or youth via text messaging, email, Facebook, Twitter, or other similar forms of electronic or social media. 

ACCEPTANCE OF CODE OF CONDUCT

I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in my removal as a volunteer. I understand that I have received a copy of, read and understood, and agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of this Code of Conduct.

VERIFICATION OF SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF VOLUNTEER READER TRAINING 

I understand that my behaviors that are inconsistent with the Volunteer Reader Training or my failure to complete the training may result in my removal as a volunteer. I understand that I have received a copy of, read and understood, and agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of this Code of Conduct.