TOPS
What is TOPS?
TOPS (Tutor Outreach in Provo Schools) provides classroom aides for elementary and middle schools in the Provo School District. There are multiple subjects to choose to help with, including reading, math, robotics, and language immersion.
How do I get involved?
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Description: Volunteers interact with children at Provo schools, helping the teachers and supporting the students.
Volunteer Commitment: You choose the day, time, and classroom in which you serve. You will volunteer at the same time for one hour each week for one semester. If you have your own transportation you are encouraged to sign up for schools that are farther away from campus or carpool with other friends and volunteers. Here are the classes volunteers can help with this semester:
After School
- Art Clubs
- Chess Clubs
- STEM Science Fair clubs
- and more!
High School
- Orchestra
- Physics
- Math
- Biology
- World History
Middle School
- Portuguese Immersion
- Band
- Yearbook
Elementary School
- Reading
- Centers
- Math
Step 1:
Fill out the survey found here. Once that is completed you will receive an email from the TOPS team with the next steps, including a Google Sheet that lists all school needs. Once you receive that email, sign up on the Google sheet for a one hour weekly commitment throughout the semester.
Step 2:
Attend our opening social each semester to get to know the directors and other volunteers! This is a fun time to learn about and be excited to help with TOPS!
Step 3:
Look in our guide of each school to learn more about what you need to do on your first day volunteering. Please also review this orientation and this form. You will be asked to sign the form when you arrive at the school. Note that the Child Protection Training is no longer required.
Step 4:
Check in with the front office and let them know you are volunteering with TOPS. Ask them for directions to the classroom and sign the log.
Step 5:
Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early in order to meet the teacher you will be volunteering with. Be confident! Be yourself!
Step 6:
Get to know the teacher a little bit more and get their contact information! That way if anything comes up you can contact them directly.
Step 7:
Enjoy the hour that you have to volunteer! Be helpful and sure to represent BYU in a positive light.
Step 8:
In the BYU app add the Y-Serve category in order to log your service hours as a TOPS volunteer. Always log your volunteer hours!
Questions??
If you have any questions feel free to contact the directors of TOPS! We are so excited to get to work with you!
These steps to get involved may also be referenced here!
Contact Info
Being able to interact one on one with kids and seeing breakthroughs with homework was super satisfying. Getting to know the class was super fun.
The kids were so so cute and precious and I loved getting to volunteer this semester!! I got to learn how to help students more and the teacher who I helped, Mrs. Miner, was the absolute best. Volunteering with TOPS helped me solidify that I want to be an elementary school teacher.
It was so interesting and fun to go into a classroom and apply what I have been learning in my classes. I saw real change and improvement in my students from week to week which shows the real impact of the program in Provo schools. The kids have so much personality and were a joy to be around each week. I also loved the variety in needs so I could serve exactly where and when worked best for me. It was definitely the best part of my week.
It was incredible what his love for me and my love for him did to my day. I remember frequently being near tears, as I’d leave the building, just so happy to have been there for him that day.
The volunteers worked with students individual or in small groups to work on skills those students were working on. For example, they pulled students to work on letter names and sounds. Now most of my students know their letter names and sounds because they were exposed them so often. I had many make big jumps in just a month time.
The dedication of our volunteers created a more personalized learning environment, allowing students to receive the extra attention they needed. Their support fostered a sense of accomplishment and motivation, and I saw real growth in my students’ skills and confidence. I am incredibly grateful for their time, effort, and commitment to helping my students succeed.