From September 26-30, NBC will host Education Nation, a nationally broadcast, in-depth conversation about improving education in America.

Event highlights include a summit with top leaders in education, multi-media coverage on all NBC stations and online outlets, Teacher Town Hall with Brian Williams and interactive exhibits in Rockefeller Plaza.

Two of our national partners, University of Phoenix and American Express, are sponsors of this effort and will showcase opportunities for volunteers to make a difference in schools.

We hope this incredible conversation will inspire you to become part of the solution.

Here are 33 ways you can make a difference in schools:

1. Assist a classroom (support a teacher)
2. Coach a sports team
3. Tutor
4. Mentor a student
5. Teach job and/ or professional skills
6. Start a School Club: Books; Music; Drama; Art; Writing; Homework; Cooking… (What are you good at?)
7. Volunteer as a Crossing guard
8. Donate time as a Hallway monitor
9. Become a playground monitor
10. Support Service-Learning activities (see section: Practicing Service-Learning)
11. Support the school Computer Lab
12. Support the school Library
13. Read a book to a classroom
14. Start a school garden
15. Support other parents/guardians by: carpooling, walking children home from school, waiting with children at the bus stop.
16. Coordinate donation drives to support teachers and students
17. Organize an annual school supply drive
18. Organize a Fundraiser
19. Supervise or judge the science fair
20. Supervise evening or weekend activities
21. Write grant proposals
22. Attend School board meetings
23. Chaperone events on and off school grounds (field trips, sports games)
24. Read a book to a classroom
25. Participate in PTA or school board meetings that take place once a week or once a month
26. Create a classroom website for parents from home
27. Organize a phone or email tree for parents
28. Create classroom curriculum or materials from home
29. Organize files for teachers from home
30. Provide homework help to your child at home
31. Encourage recreational reading and writing over television and video games to your child at home
32. Supervise evening and weekend activities
33. Organize a one-time project such as painting classrooms, school ground beautification, or a school-cleanup day

To learn more or to find a volunteer project near you, visit HandsOn Network’s Education Nation project search page.

Also, did you know that October 23rd is Make A Difference Day,the largest, annual day of service?

Make A Difference for kids in your community.

• Spread the Word
• Create a Project
• Find a Project
• Get Resources
• Share Your Story