Help Our Students Discover the World: Become an Anniston Academy Community Helper or Hobbyist!

Kathryn DuBray, DSW, LMSW
2 days ago
3 min read

At Anniston Academy, learning doesn't stop at textbooks. Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students meet real people who are passionate about what they do.

That's why we're launching our Community Helpers & Hobbyists Program, and we're inviting members of our community to become part of our students' educational journey.

Our goal is simple: one guest each month who can introduce our students to a career, trade, skill, or hobby they may have never experienced before.

Who Can Participate?

You don't have to be a teacher to make an impact.

Maybe you're a:

Firefighter
EMT
Police officer
Nurse or physician
Dentist
Veterinarian
Attorney
Engineer
Mechanic
Farmer
Librarian
Business owner
Military veteran
Carpenter
Pilot
Electrician
Chef
Postal worker

Or perhaps your passion is a hobby that brings you joy, such as:

Beekeeping
Pottery
Gardening
Photography
Painting
Woodworking
Quilting
Crocheting
Fishing
Bird watching
Astronomy
Baking
Music
3D printing
Model building
Leatherworking
Candle making
Robotics

If you're passionate about it, chances are our students would love to learn about it.

Why It Matters

Children often don't know what's possible until they see it.

Meeting people from different professions and learning about unique hobbies helps students:

Explore future careers.
Discover new interests and talents.
Develop curiosity and confidence.
Learn about the many ways people contribute to their communities.
Find meaningful leisure activities they may enjoy for years to come.

For many of our students, hands-on experiences create learning opportunities that simply can't be replicated through books or videos.

An Inclusive Learning Environment

Anniston Academy serves students ages 3–14 with a wide variety of strengths, learning styles, and support needs. Many of our students are neurodivergent, including autistic students, students with ADHD, Down syndrome, and other developmental or learning differences, alongside neurotypical peers.

Our classrooms are designed to be engaging, supportive, and inclusive. You may meet students who communicate in different ways, use sensory supports, ask lots of questions, or need extra time to process information. That's part of what makes our school so special.

Don't worry, you won't be doing it alone. Our teachers and clinical staff remain with students throughout every presentation to provide support and help ensure everyone has a positive experience.

What Does a Visit Look Like?

Most visits last about 60-90 minutes and can include:

Demonstrations
Interactive activities
Hands-on materials
Question-and-answer sessions
Sharing tools or equipment (when appropriate)
Explaining what a typical day looks like
Discussing how you discovered your career or hobby

Our students love learning by seeing, touching, asking questions, and participating whenever possible.

Leave a Lasting Impression

You never know which student might discover a lifelong passion because of your visit.

A future veterinarian might meet their first animal rescuer.

A future engineer might be inspired by someone who loves building.

A child who struggles to find hobbies they enjoy might discover pottery, photography, gardening, or beekeeping.

Sometimes all it takes is one experience to spark a new interest.

We'd Love to Meet You!

If you're interested in volunteering as one of our monthly Community Helpers or Hobbyists, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you have a fascinating career, a unique trade, or simply a hobby you're excited to share, your time could inspire the next generation of learners.

Together, we can show our students that there are countless ways to learn, create, serve, and thrive.

Interested in volunteering? Complete our Community Helper & Hobbyist Interest Form or contact Anniston Academy at Admin@annistonacademy.com for more information. We can't wait to welcome you into our classrooms!