What feedback from community members do students want/need?

[Ann Abbott]

A TA who is teaching SPAN 232 "Spanish in the Community" this semester stopped by my office yesterday. She mentioned that some of her students who work at public schools, working in the classroom, feel that the teachers aren't very happy to have them there. Here is some background information:
*Teachers are not obliged to "take" my students; they let the volunteer coordinator know when they would like help in their classrooms.
*My students work there two hours each week. Their level of Spanish fluency varies from intermediate to advanced; their inclination to take initiative and work independently also varies.
*The feedback that I receive from the schools is that our students are *very* appreciated.

So, I'm trying to figure out what is going on. Are the teachers truly unhappy to have my students there? Which students? Which teachers? Are the teachers unsure how to delegate? Are my students expecting "warm fuzzies"--pats on the back, smiles, thank-you's--to make them feel that their work is appreciated?

Any ideas you have would be greatly appreaciated!!!