Donna Schwarting
Donna Schwarting
Extension Educator — 4-H Volunteer Development
Caldwell Complex
208-454-6556
Caldwell Research and Extension Center
University of Idaho
1904 E. Chicago Street, Suite AB
Caldwell, ID 83605
As part of UI Extension 4-H Youth Development, I oversee the volunteer management system and provide support to county Extension personnel in recruitment, training and retention of 4-H volunteers statewide.
M.S., University of Idaho, 2011
B.A., St. Joseph's College, 1995
A.A., College of Southern Idaho, 1988
- Volunteer system management
- Experiential learning
- Youth-serving organizations
- Organizational leadership
- Adult learning
- Generational trends in volunteerism
Donna Schwarting spent the past 20 years involved with youth-serving organizations. She began her professional career working in public schools as an English teacher and reading specialist in a rural community in southern Idaho. She was then asked to be an instructional coach and support other K-12 educators by delivering ongoing individual and whole group training. During that time, she was also an active parent volunteer working directly with her local 4-H club for many years.
In the summer of 2011, Ms. Schwarting moved with to Cody, Wyoming to work as a reading specialist, instructional coach and member of their district’s School Improvement Team. She then returned to Idaho in 2016 as an elementary principal before accepting the position as area Extension educator, volunteer leadership development for University of Idaho Extension, Idaho Positive Youth Development.
She currently oversees the statewide volunteer management system addressing compliance to the relevant laws, policies, procedures and practices designed to mitigate risks for both the participants as well the youth-serving organization. Additionally, she uses her extensive educational experience to help develop and deliver trainings for county 4-H professionals and 4-H volunteers throughout Idaho.