MOLINE, ILLINOIS (September 15, 2026) — A classroom volunteer doesn’t need to be a teacher. They don’t need a degree in education. And they certainly don’t need to have all the answers. They just need to be willing to spend a little time with a group of students and share what they know.
Junior Achievement of the Heartland is looking for volunteers to teach JA lessons in classrooms across the Quad Cities and surrounding communities this school year. With thousands of students waiting for JA learning experiences, volunteers are needed to help bring those lessons to life.
So, what does a JA volunteer actually do?
They walk into a classroom with a ready-to-use lesson. They talk with students about things they encounter every day, like earning money, making choices, setting goals, exploring careers, and understanding how the world around them works. They ask questions, lead activities and, most importantly, give students someone from the community who is willing to show up for them.
“You don’t have to be an expert or have experience in a classroom,” said Lysa Hegland, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland.
“Our volunteers are simply people who are willing to give their time, share their experiences and help a student see what might be possible for them. Sometimes, that one hour can make a bigger impression than they realize.”
JA provides the curriculum and materials, so volunteers aren’t expected to create lessons or figure everything out on their own. JA staff also help volunteers feel prepared before they step into the classroom.
The time commitment is manageable, too. Most JA classroom learning experiences involve volunteers teaching a series of short lessons, often one class period at a time. Volunteers can choose a classroom that interests them and work with the educator to find a schedule that works for everyone.
And the impact can be surprisingly meaningful.
It might be a student who has never thought about what kind of career they want someday. A child who finally understands why saving money matters. A student who discovers they’re good at something they didn’t know they could do. Or simply a kid who remembers that an adult from their community took the time to come into their classroom and believe in them.
That is what JA volunteers make possible.
“Kids don’t need us to come in and give them a lecture,” said Hegland.
“They need people to talk with them, listen to them and help them connect what they’re learning in school to the world they’re going to enter someday. That’s what JA volunteers do.”
As Junior Achievement of the Heartland celebrates seventy years of serving young people, its work continues to help students prepare for what’s next, building the knowledge, confidence, and experiences they need for life after graduation. That preparation is an important part of creating pathways to economic mobility, giving young people the exposure and opportunities they need to make informed decisions about their education, careers, and financial futures.
Volunteers are needed throughout Junior Achievement of the Heartland’s 24-county service area.
Individuals, businesses, and community groups can learn more and sign up at heartland.ja.org/volunteer.
Looking for a specific classroom opportunity? View a list of open classes here:
heartland.ja.org/volunteer/opportunity/volunteering-in-the-classroom.
About Junior Achievement of the Heartland
Junior Achievement is education for what’s next. As a strategic partner working in collaboration with educators, employers, investors, leaders, and the communities they serve, we are dedicated to helping students achieve academically today and economically tomorrow. As a leader in experiential learning operating on a national scale with over a century of experience, we are driving toward lasting change. This means ensuring a generation of students has the transferable skills and competencies needed to navigate a rapidly-changing world. By delivering career-connected learning, we are invested in accelerating economic mobility through education. By helping students become confident, capable, and connected today, we can ensure they have access to opportunity-filled futures tomorrow. Junior Achievement reaches more than 4.6 million students annually across nearly 100 US markets, and is part of JA Worldwide, which serves over 19.9 million students in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.ja.org.
Locally, Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves 24 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Visit heartland.ja.org for more information.
