October 9, 2025 • 22 mins
Here in the Beehive state, we are no strangers to volunteering. Utah consistently tops the nation when it comes to donating time to help others. In the Canyon School District, our community goes above and beyond to volunteer in our schools in a variety of ways.
In this latest episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from two members of the Canyons community who have dedicated countless hours to schools throughout the District – Jessica Davies, and Teneil Hansen. Davies began volunteering to be near her children and has since spent more than a decade in various positions from volunteer, to currently serving as the Central Elementary PTA Council President. Davies was also the 2024 Canyons Apex Volunteer of the Year. Hansen is no stranger to helping out in the classroom, volunteering for more than 15 years, and now service as a member of the Alta High School PTSA, as well as Secondary Council PTA Secretary.
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why we
get up close and personal withsome of the people who make our
schools great.
Students, teachers, principals,parents, and more.
We meet national experts too.
(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_03 (00:25):
Here in the Beehive State, we're no strangers to
volunteering.
Utah consistently tops thenation when it comes to donating
time to help others.
In the Canyon School District,our community goes above and
beyond to volunteer in ourschools in a number of ways.
Welcome to Connect Canyons.
I'm your host, Francis Cohen.
(00:45):
Joining me today are some of thequeens of volunteering.
We have 2024 Apex Volunteer ofthe Year and Central Elementary
PTA Council President, not tomention office guru for Alta
View Elementary, Jessica Davies,as well as Tanil Hansen, PTA
member at Alta High School, andSecondary Council PTA Secretary.
(01:07):
Not to mention both of you arefantastic photographers, just to
name a few of youraccomplishments.
Thank you both for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_02 (01:15):
We're glad to be here.
SPEAKER_03 (01:18):
You both have a lot of titles.
Can you tell us a little bitabout all of the things that you
do?
Taniil, why don't you start usoff?
SPEAKER_02 (01:25):
This year, I am back down to volunteering just at one
school because all of my kidsare at one school.
And so at Alta, I am thereflections chair.
And I'm also helping on thehospitality doing the teacher
meals.
SPEAKER_03 (01:44):
Just sharing reflections.
That's a small, small task.
Feeding just a few teachers.
Just doing a few things.
Just a few things.
And only at one school now.
How many schools were you atbefore?
SPEAKER_02 (01:58):
I've had three kids and they're spread out enough
that I have been at threeschools before.
J separate.
SPEAKER_03 (02:05):
Jessica, how about you?
SPEAKER_01 (02:08):
So I'm currently the essential elementary council
president.
And so I'm working with ninedifferent schools, elementary
schools, to help the presidentsat their schools with the PTA.
And before that, I was helpingat Jordan High School as the
treasurer, and I was thepresident at Alta View
Elementary.
My kids currently go to MountJordan Middle School and to
(02:30):
Jordan High School.
So I'm still a little bitinvolved with the PTAs there.
And then other than that, I'vedone SCC, the School Community
Council before, and I reallyenjoy spending my time at the
schools.
So just a few things for you aswell.
SPEAKER_03 (02:44):
Yeah.
What is it that got you bothstarted volunteering in the
first place?
And I'm curious to know what itis that keeps you coming back.
SPEAKER_02 (02:54):
I started about 15 years ago exactly.
I was doing the dates in my headwhen my oldest started school.
And I think it began becausebefore that I taught first grade
and I had some amazing parentvolunteers into my classroom.
And it makes a huge differenceif you have parents that are
(03:15):
involved, or even just parentsthat you know their name and
you've seen their face, whetherit just be a drop-off or pickup
or a nice word, you know.
I just a couple where they'relike, You're doing a great job.
You have my kid all day.
Thank you.
And so I knew as soon as hestarted kindergarten that I
(03:36):
needed to be involved just to tohelp the teachers on one hand,
to see where he was going andwhat he was doing all day.
And then just that fills thatlittle bit of my bucket, the
little bit of a teaching bug tobe back in the classroom.
Well, were you a teacher?
Yeah.
Um just a few years.
And then once my kids startedcoming, I was made the choice
(04:00):
that I could stay home and I'vebeen blessed that I've been able
to stay home.
I found a nice highway right inthe middle.
Yep.
And I was able to be back in theclassroom helping.
Or like teaching the juniorachievement classes in
elementary, and that gets youback in for once a week for a
little bit, or the artappreciation, or just helping
helping in the classroom once aweek kind of fills that filled
(04:23):
enough of the void for what Iwant to do right now.
So very nice.
Yeah, that's why I started isbecause I I had some great
parents in my classroom when Iwas the teacher.
And so I'm like, we're gonna bethat nobody else.
SPEAKER_03 (04:39):
And you've been coming back for 15 years.
Yes.
What keeps what keeps you wakingup every morning going, let's
go, let's do this?
SPEAKER_02 (04:47):
I think I do love the school environment and the
kids and the teaching, and andso I've just been involved.
How about you, Jessica?
SPEAKER_01 (05:01):
So when my oldest, who's now 16, was in
kindergarten, I wanted to beinvolved with her schooling.
I had a little two-year-old athome, so I knew I couldn't be in
the school a lot.
Um, so I was kind of looking foran opportunity to be involved,
and I saw that the schoolcommunity council still needed
some people, and the meeting wasonly once a month, and it was
just for a few hours, and Ithought, okay, I can do that.
(05:22):
I can I can be on the SEC.
So I started there and I justloved it.
And I felt like I knew so muchmore about what was going on in
my daughter's school, and I justfelt so much more involved as a
parent.
And it was important for her tosee that I was engaged in her
education and that it wasimportant to me.
I think that that sent themessage to her that it was an
important thing if I was willingto take my time and find a
(05:44):
babysitter and go to thesemeetings.
I think it it taught her that Ireally cared about her
education, and that made herfeel like it was important.
So I started there on the SECand then I just slowly, you
know, got sucked in.
I had I met more people at theschool, and then they'd say,
Hey, will you help with this?
Will you help with that?
So then I started helping withthe PTA, and that was, I mean,
(06:05):
the SEC was great.
PTA was even more fun.
I started helping with that.
I started helping with classroomparties, and then I ended up
being the PTA president therefor a year.
Well, president-elect the yearbefore that.
And um, I just haven't lookedback.
It's just been such a greatexperience and it's been
fulfilling for me as well.
And I get to see what's going onin my kids' schools and really
(06:26):
know what they're up to, and Ican have more conversations with
them at dinner.
I know the people at theirschools, so when they're
dropping names of differentteachers or different people
that work at their schools, Iknow who they're talking about.
So it's been really great.
SPEAKER_03 (06:36):
I imagine it's kind of nice to have that extra
connection with your kids whenthey're back in school because a
lot of times, you know, they'regone the whole day when you've
been used to them being home allsummer long or up until they're
in preschool or kindergarten.
So it's beautiful to see you'reable to get that connection with
your kids, but then also withjust a few hundred others.
(06:56):
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (06:57):
Right.
And it is kind of fun to havethe other, the other kids.
Yeah.
I remember one time I was in themiddle school parking lot after
school one day, and I had acouple of kids come up to me and
say, Hey, you're the PTA ladyfrom like the elementary.
Like, so they'd remembered mefrom years before, and they're
like, I, you know, I can't findmy ring.
(07:19):
Can I borrow your phone and callmy mom?
And I mean, it was one of thoselike, I'm a familiar face, and I
was in the school enough thatthey knew me, and I they kind of
looked familiar, but it wasn'tit wasn't one of like my kids'
friends, or it wasn't someonethat I knew by name, but they
had seen me at the school enoughthat they were comfortable to be
(07:40):
like, hey, PTA Lee.
Can you help us?
SPEAKER_03 (07:43):
That's very cool.
They knew you were trustworthyand were there to help them.
Yeah.
Listen, when they get to middleschool, they change so much from
when you probably saw them lastin fourth, fifth grade.
Your roles are obviously toptier.
You've dedicated countless hoursto students across the district,
but that's not the only way tovolunteer, Jessica.
(08:05):
You mentioned that when youstarted out, it was just an
hour-long meeting once a month.
What are some of the ways,whether it's PTA or just general
volunteering in the schools,that parents can get involved,
whether, you know, from quicklittle jumps into the classroom
or maybe they do want to spendall day, what are some of the
options out there for them?
SPEAKER_01 (08:25):
Well, I think that even just, you know, if you're
just trying to get started andyou don't know what to do, reach
out to your students' teachersand see if there's anything that
they need help with.
They may need help withclassroom parties that are
coming up.
They may need help with cuttingthings out.
If you're staying at home andmaybe you have little kids or
you don't have the time to spendtime in the school, maybe you
can take some things home andcut them out and get them ready
(08:48):
for the teachers if they need,or make little booklets for
them.
Or you can get involved withyour SEC or just talk to your
PTA, and I promise they willfind something for you to do,
even if it's just very small anda one-off project.
Um, we've had parents who havecome and they've helped set up
the stereo system, or they'vefigured found a playlist for an
activity, or even just takingpictures at an event.
(09:10):
There are a lot of things thatyou can do that it doesn't have
to be a huge time commitment.
So find a way to get involved.
I think it's important for ourstudents and for our children to
know that we care about theschool and what's going on
there.
And I promise that you will makefriends and you'll get to know
everybody at the school a lotbetter.
It's definitely worth it.
Some other things you can dofrom home are if you see
(09:30):
comments on maybe social mediapages, you know, asking about
schools within the district orasking about your school in
particular, you know, maybe youreach out to those people and
tell them why your school isgood and tell them about the
teachers and the experience thatyou've had.
Or if you're talking to peoplein your community, make sure
that you are being a goodambassador for your the school
district and for the students atthe schools, because I think a
(09:52):
lot of parents who aren'tinvolved at school don't
recognize how hard the schoolworks to take care of the
children that are there.
And that's one thing that I justloved when I was there as
president.
I was there every single day forprobably two or three hours,
mostly not because I had to bethere as a president, but it was
so inspiring for me to be there.
And I was just amazed to see howmany people in that school are
(10:15):
looking out for every single oneof those students.
I didn't see anybody that wasbad mouthing any students,
anybody that was, you know,frustrated with those students.
I just saw so much care and somuch love for those students and
everybody working together.
And it was really inspiring.
And I think the parents who aremore involved are in a really
great place to let other parentsknow what's really going on in
(10:35):
our schools and how wonderfulthe people are that are working
there.
SPEAKER_03 (10:38):
It can be so fun to see those comments too.
You know, on the districtwebpage, we'll we've been
posting about our some of ournew principals stepping into new
roles at different schools.
And to see the comments, youknow, oh, we love Mrs.
So-and-so or Mr.
So-and-so was our favorite atthis school.
And they all kind of then feedoff each other.
Oh, yeah, my daughter had hisclass too, and how great it was.
(11:00):
And it's beautiful to kind ofsee that community coming
together.
I loved your idea aboutplaylists and uh setting up the
entertainment center.
You know, people have differenttalents that you may not think
of being extremely useful whenit comes to setting up for
events and things like that.
SPEAKER_01 (11:17):
And I think if you do have a talent that you want
to share, or if you think ofsomething that you could do that
they're not necessarily askingfor, you should reach out to
them.
If you think of things and waysthat you can help the school,
reach out to your PTA presidentor reach out to your classroom
teacher and see if you can helpwith those things.
I don't think we necessarilyneed to wait for somebody to
(11:37):
come and ask us to do something,or for somebody to come and
share the needs that they'reseeing.
If you feel like there'ssomething that you can do to
help the school, you should justgo ahead and reach out and see
if you can do it for them.
You may have an idea that theydon't even think of.
SPEAKER_02 (11:50):
Right.
I think there's a lot of thingsthat that people can do that we
have no idea they can do.
And so even just going to themonthly PTA meeting as a parent.
I mean, they're open.
You can attend SEC meeting as aparent.
You can just show up and sit inthe back and get involved that
(12:13):
way just by gleaning all theinformation that's out there
that you might not know.
And then if something does comeup and they need one of the
schools, I would help with thebook fair, and we would just do
a little book talk.
And I'm like, I love to readpicture books outside.
I mean love to read picturebooks.
And so we would just go in andand share a book and say, Hey,
(12:37):
we have a book fair duringPirateacher Conference.
Come and see.
And that, you know, that's ifyou just did that, that's once a
year or twice a year.
SPEAKER_03 (12:45):
And that's who didn't love a book fair too.
SPEAKER_02 (12:48):
That was it.
Yeah.
So I think there's a lot ofthings and just coming to a PTA
meeting or coming into theclassroom where you can kind of
gauge what's needed and thendon't be afraid to say, hey, I
could help with that.
SPEAKER_03 (13:01):
Yeah.
And then you're seeing what'sgoing on at your kids' school,
whether you want to, you know,be involved on a daily basis,
like you said, or even justbeing able to talk with your kid
about, oh yeah, I I heard in themeeting that you guys are doing
that this week.
That sounds like so much fun.
That's really great.
We've been talking about PTA andSCC.
Can you explain the differencesbetween those two?
SPEAKER_01 (13:25):
The PTA is the parent teacher association.
So that is the parent group forthe school.
And so they will do a lot ofdifferent activities.
They'll do things to support thechildren in the school.
A lot of times they'll supportthe teachers in the school as
well.
The SCC is the school communitycouncil, and that is set up at
the school, and they go overland trust money and some other
(13:46):
funding that's provided by thestate.
And it's nice because as aparent, you actually get to have
a say in where that money isgoing at your school.
And both of those meetings arevery informative, at least at
our school.
The principal is at thosemeetings every time and shares a
lot of information about what'sgoing on at the school and you
know, different projects thatthey're working on.
And so you learn a lot as aparent when you're involved in
(14:08):
either one of those things.
SPEAKER_03 (14:10):
Very cool.
I actually didn't know thatabout the SEC.
You've worn a lot of differenthats in your time volunteering,
whether it's PTA, whether it'sas a parent in a classroom.
What have you gotten out of yourtime volunteering?
What is it that, you know, whenyou go home and like you said,
it fills your cup.
What is it that fills your cupwhen it comes to volunteering?
SPEAKER_02 (14:30):
I think there's a lot of different parts that can
fill you up.
One of them is just theassociation you have with the
students or the kids.
And, you know, they can look upto you as an adult that, you
know, is not scary or is not,you know, it's just a person
(14:52):
that cares about you and yourwelfare.
Um, another one is just theassociation with all of the
other parents that arevolunteering.
And like you like have aninstant group of people that are
like-minded and they care aboutthe kids and they care about the
school and they care about whatis going on.
And so all of a sudden you havea whole group of people that
(15:14):
that want to be there.
They're not forced to be there.
So when you're like, hey, weneed someone to do this, you
have people that go, Oh, I wantto do that.
And so that's kind of a fun, um,that's kind of a fun group to be
in, is because everyone chose tocome.
Everyone chose to show up andeveryone cares.
Kind of a shared triumph.
SPEAKER_01 (15:34):
Yes.
A lot of times we joke in thePTA that it's the same ten
people doing things, and you'llhear that over and over again.
But I think there's a reasonthat those 10 people at, you
know, whatever school they're atare super engaged.
And it's because they started uhvolunteering and then they
discovered how awesome it is.
(15:56):
And and I think if more peoplewere to get involved even at a
smaller level, I think theywould find out that it's really
addictive.
And so those same 10 people thatare super involved, they've
really caught that bug.
And I started volunteering tohelp be there for my student and
to be aware of what was going onin the school.
I keep volunteering because it'sit's helpful to me and it makes
(16:17):
me a better person and it makesme a much happier person.
And I actually go home from theday and I'm a lot more involved
in my stu my children's lives,and I'm a lot patient, more
patient than I thought I wouldbe.
I thought if I was at the schoolall day, every day, or you know,
for large hours of the dayvolunteering, and then now I'm
actually working at a schoolbecause I didn't want to leave
it because I love volunteeringso much.
(16:37):
Um, but after being at theschool for hours during the day,
you'd think that you'd go homeand you'd just be exhausted and
you'd be sick of kids, but I'veactually found the opposite is
true.
And I'm a lot more patient withmy kids.
And I think a lot of that has todo with that I am filling that
cup and I'm going home feelingrejuvenated because I have been
able to give my time and dothings that I love.
(16:59):
And it's so inspiring to be at aschool and see all of these
people that are just doing theirbest for these kids and see them
go showing up every single dayand getting to be involved in
something like that is reallyneat and it's very unique.
Most people who are, you know,going to jobs and things don't
get to spend that time justtrying to make sure that kids
(17:20):
are okay.
And so I really like that and Ithink it's really inspiring.
SPEAKER_03 (17:24):
That does sound very inspiring.
I need to go do somevolunteering now.
You know, I've we've spoken witha lot of uh PTA members and SEC
members here, and I think that'sone of the main takeaways that
they always say is it's spendingtime with the kids and
understanding them a little bitmore and getting those, you
know, those brilliant smiles.
(17:44):
Hey PTA lady, you know, thosemoments.
But then also the camaraderiewith maybe it is just 10 people,
but I've heard so many membersand volunteers say they have
come away with a lifelong groupof friends, you know, whether
it's talking once a day or oncea month at a meeting, it's just
(18:06):
something that really stickswith you.
What would you say to, I mean,if that doesn't sell
volunteering, I don't know whatwill, but what what message
would you have for any parentswho may be on the fence about
volunteering?
SPEAKER_02 (18:22):
I would just say get out of your comfort zone and
ask, or just show up, or justjust be there just one time.
Ask your teacher one time whatyou can do.
And it doesn't go away like fromelementary.
Elementary is really busy.
There's lots of stuff, there'slots of activities that teachers
(18:42):
are like, yes, come, come in myclassroom.
You know, you can read books onFriday, or you can help with a
small group, or you can cutstuff out for me.
But the gate continues on, andmiddle school and high school
kids also need they need somecaring adults around.
Yeah.
And if you're if you're the onefriendly face and they're having
(19:04):
a rough time and they're notpassing their classes, and so
their teachers are frustrated,and they're, you know, and
you're like, hey, it's so goodto see you.
I'm so glad you came.
I mean, they they need that.
Yeah.
They need that too.
And so don't forget about middleschool and high school.
And I know at the middle schoolsI've been at, we've done
(19:27):
lunchtime activities.
PTAs sometimes put on alunchtime activity, and it's an
eye-opening experience to comeat lunchtime in a middle school
and uh, you know, run a game, oryou can you can really see
what's going on.
So that night at dinner withyour kids, you can be like, Hey,
how's lunch going?
You know, like I've been there.
(19:47):
And so when they're like, ah,lunch, or they're like, Oh, it's
great, you're like, Iunderstand.
Yeah.
So don't count out the the bigkids too.
They need they need a friendlyface, and whether that's just a
smile, because you show up oncea month and walk through the
cafeteria to get to the PTAmeeting, and that counts too.
SPEAKER_03 (20:08):
Yeah.
I think you're right, everyoneneeds that, you know, even just
a smile or a kind word.
You don't know.
Maybe it's just an extra boostto a great day that they're
already having, but maybethey're not having such a great
day.
And it's amazing to see what onekind word can do to boost your
make you put you on a bettertrack for the day.
Yeah.
Who watch you, Jessica?
SPEAKER_01 (20:30):
I would just add to that that just start small if
you feel overwhelmed by it, findsomething small to do and just
slowly get your foot in thedoor.
And I think we need to rememberthat everybody is busy and every
family has varying levels ofbusy, and some families may not
be able to volunteer.
So if you have the time tovolunteer, you know, whether
you're a parent or agrandparent, volunteer not just
(20:52):
for you, your student, but forthose students whose families
can't volunteer because itreally takes a village.
And the more adults we can getthere into those elementary
schools that are there helpingthose kids and volunteering, the
better off our education systemwill be.
And we just all really need towork together.
So find time if you have it.
I know there are a lot ofparents that are at home that
(21:12):
might be able to give even justa couple hours a week.
And I promise that you'll make adifference, and not only for
them, but it'll make adifference in your life.
Totally agree with that.
SPEAKER_03 (21:22):
I think that's perfect.
You know, an hour can make adifference, a smile can make a
difference.
And if you have the time todonate beyond that, by all
means.
I mean, you guys haveestablished quite a great
community here at Canyons, andwe appreciate all the hard work
you do.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And thank you for listening.
If there's a topic you wouldlike to hear discussed on the
(21:44):
podcast, send us an email tocommunications at
canyonsdistrict.org.
SPEAKER_00 (21:51):
Thanks for listening to this episode of Connect
Canyons.
Connect with us on Twitter,Facebook, or Instagram at
Canyons District, or on ourwebsite, CanyonsDistrict.org.
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why we
get up close and personal withsome of the people who make our
schools great.
Students, teachers, principals,parents, and more.
We meet national experts too.
(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_03 (00:25):
Here in the Beehive State, we're no strangers to
volunteering.
Utah consistently tops thenation when it comes to donating
time to help others.
In the Canyon School District,our community goes above and
beyond to volunteer in ourschools in a number of ways.
Welcome to Connect Canyons.
I'm your host, Francis Cohen.
(00:45):
Joining me today are some of thequeens of volunteering.
We have 2024 Apex Volunteer ofthe Year and Central Elementary
PTA Council President, not tomention office guru for Alta
View Elementary, Jessica Davies,as well as Tanil Hansen, PTA
member at Alta High School, andSecondary Council PTA Secretary.
(01:07):
Not to mention both of you arefantastic photographers, just to
name a few of youraccomplishments.
Thank you both for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_02 (01:15):
We're glad to be here.
SPEAKER_03 (01:18):
You both have a lot of titles.
Can you tell us a little bitabout all of the things that you
do?
Taniil, why don't you start usoff?
SPEAKER_02 (01:25):
This year, I am back down to volunteering just at one
school because all of my kidsare at one school.
And so at Alta, I am thereflections chair.
And I'm also helping on thehospitality doing the teacher
meals.
SPEAKER_03 (01:44):
Just sharing reflections.
That's a small, small task.
Feeding just a few teachers.
Just doing a few things.
Just a few things.
And only at one school now.
How many schools were you atbefore?
SPEAKER_02 (01:58):
I've had three kids and they're spread out enough
that I have been at threeschools before.
J separate.
SPEAKER_03 (02:05):
Jessica, how about you?
SPEAKER_01 (02:08):
So I'm currently the essential elementary council
president.
And so I'm working with ninedifferent schools, elementary
schools, to help the presidentsat their schools with the PTA.
And before that, I was helpingat Jordan High School as the
treasurer, and I was thepresident at Alta View
Elementary.
My kids currently go to MountJordan Middle School and to
(02:30):
Jordan High School.
So I'm still a little bitinvolved with the PTAs there.
And then other than that, I'vedone SCC, the School Community
Council before, and I reallyenjoy spending my time at the
schools.
So just a few things for you aswell.
SPEAKER_03 (02:44):
Yeah.
What is it that got you bothstarted volunteering in the
first place?
And I'm curious to know what itis that keeps you coming back.
SPEAKER_02 (02:54):
I started about 15 years ago exactly.
I was doing the dates in my headwhen my oldest started school.
And I think it began becausebefore that I taught first grade
and I had some amazing parentvolunteers into my classroom.
And it makes a huge differenceif you have parents that are
(03:15):
involved, or even just parentsthat you know their name and
you've seen their face, whetherit just be a drop-off or pickup
or a nice word, you know.
I just a couple where they'relike, You're doing a great job.
You have my kid all day.
Thank you.
And so I knew as soon as hestarted kindergarten that I
(03:36):
needed to be involved just to tohelp the teachers on one hand,
to see where he was going andwhat he was doing all day.
And then just that fills thatlittle bit of my bucket, the
little bit of a teaching bug tobe back in the classroom.
Well, were you a teacher?
Yeah.
Um just a few years.
And then once my kids startedcoming, I was made the choice
(04:00):
that I could stay home and I'vebeen blessed that I've been able
to stay home.
I found a nice highway right inthe middle.
Yep.
And I was able to be back in theclassroom helping.
Or like teaching the juniorachievement classes in
elementary, and that gets youback in for once a week for a
little bit, or the artappreciation, or just helping
helping in the classroom once aweek kind of fills that filled
(04:23):
enough of the void for what Iwant to do right now.
So very nice.
Yeah, that's why I started isbecause I I had some great
parents in my classroom when Iwas the teacher.
And so I'm like, we're gonna bethat nobody else.
SPEAKER_03 (04:39):
And you've been coming back for 15 years.
Yes.
What keeps what keeps you wakingup every morning going, let's
go, let's do this?
SPEAKER_02 (04:47):
I think I do love the school environment and the
kids and the teaching, and andso I've just been involved.
How about you, Jessica?
SPEAKER_01 (05:01):
So when my oldest, who's now 16, was in
kindergarten, I wanted to beinvolved with her schooling.
I had a little two-year-old athome, so I knew I couldn't be in
the school a lot.
Um, so I was kind of looking foran opportunity to be involved,
and I saw that the schoolcommunity council still needed
some people, and the meeting wasonly once a month, and it was
just for a few hours, and Ithought, okay, I can do that.
(05:22):
I can I can be on the SEC.
So I started there and I justloved it.
And I felt like I knew so muchmore about what was going on in
my daughter's school, and I justfelt so much more involved as a
parent.
And it was important for her tosee that I was engaged in her
education and that it wasimportant to me.
I think that that sent themessage to her that it was an
important thing if I was willingto take my time and find a
(05:44):
babysitter and go to thesemeetings.
I think it it taught her that Ireally cared about her
education, and that made herfeel like it was important.
So I started there on the SECand then I just slowly, you
know, got sucked in.
I had I met more people at theschool, and then they'd say,
Hey, will you help with this?
Will you help with that?
So then I started helping withthe PTA, and that was, I mean,
(06:05):
the SEC was great.
PTA was even more fun.
I started helping with that.
I started helping with classroomparties, and then I ended up
being the PTA president therefor a year.
Well, president-elect the yearbefore that.
And um, I just haven't lookedback.
It's just been such a greatexperience and it's been
fulfilling for me as well.
And I get to see what's going onin my kids' schools and really
(06:26):
know what they're up to, and Ican have more conversations with
them at dinner.
I know the people at theirschools, so when they're
dropping names of differentteachers or different people
that work at their schools, Iknow who they're talking about.
So it's been really great.
SPEAKER_03 (06:36):
I imagine it's kind of nice to have that extra
connection with your kids whenthey're back in school because a
lot of times, you know, they'regone the whole day when you've
been used to them being home allsummer long or up until they're
in preschool or kindergarten.
So it's beautiful to see you'reable to get that connection with
your kids, but then also withjust a few hundred others.
(06:56):
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (06:57):
Right.
And it is kind of fun to havethe other, the other kids.
Yeah.
I remember one time I was in themiddle school parking lot after
school one day, and I had acouple of kids come up to me and
say, Hey, you're the PTA ladyfrom like the elementary.
Like, so they'd remembered mefrom years before, and they're
like, I, you know, I can't findmy ring.
(07:19):
Can I borrow your phone and callmy mom?
And I mean, it was one of thoselike, I'm a familiar face, and I
was in the school enough thatthey knew me, and I they kind of
looked familiar, but it wasn'tit wasn't one of like my kids'
friends, or it wasn't someonethat I knew by name, but they
had seen me at the school enoughthat they were comfortable to be
(07:40):
like, hey, PTA Lee.
Can you help us?
SPEAKER_03 (07:43):
That's very cool.
They knew you were trustworthyand were there to help them.
Yeah.
Listen, when they get to middleschool, they change so much from
when you probably saw them lastin fourth, fifth grade.
Your roles are obviously toptier.
You've dedicated countless hoursto students across the district,
but that's not the only way tovolunteer, Jessica.
(08:05):
You mentioned that when youstarted out, it was just an
hour-long meeting once a month.
What are some of the ways,whether it's PTA or just general
volunteering in the schools,that parents can get involved,
whether, you know, from quicklittle jumps into the classroom
or maybe they do want to spendall day, what are some of the
options out there for them?
SPEAKER_01 (08:25):
Well, I think that even just, you know, if you're
just trying to get started andyou don't know what to do, reach
out to your students' teachersand see if there's anything that
they need help with.
They may need help withclassroom parties that are
coming up.
They may need help with cuttingthings out.
If you're staying at home andmaybe you have little kids or
you don't have the time to spendtime in the school, maybe you
can take some things home andcut them out and get them ready
(08:48):
for the teachers if they need,or make little booklets for
them.
Or you can get involved withyour SEC or just talk to your
PTA, and I promise they willfind something for you to do,
even if it's just very small anda one-off project.
Um, we've had parents who havecome and they've helped set up
the stereo system, or they'vefigured found a playlist for an
activity, or even just takingpictures at an event.
(09:10):
There are a lot of things thatyou can do that it doesn't have
to be a huge time commitment.
So find a way to get involved.
I think it's important for ourstudents and for our children to
know that we care about theschool and what's going on
there.
And I promise that you will makefriends and you'll get to know
everybody at the school a lotbetter.
It's definitely worth it.
Some other things you can dofrom home are if you see
(09:30):
comments on maybe social mediapages, you know, asking about
schools within the district orasking about your school in
particular, you know, maybe youreach out to those people and
tell them why your school isgood and tell them about the
teachers and the experience thatyou've had.
Or if you're talking to peoplein your community, make sure
that you are being a goodambassador for your the school
district and for the students atthe schools, because I think a
(09:52):
lot of parents who aren'tinvolved at school don't
recognize how hard the schoolworks to take care of the
children that are there.
And that's one thing that I justloved when I was there as
president.
I was there every single day forprobably two or three hours,
mostly not because I had to bethere as a president, but it was
so inspiring for me to be there.
And I was just amazed to see howmany people in that school are
(10:15):
looking out for every single oneof those students.
I didn't see anybody that wasbad mouthing any students,
anybody that was, you know,frustrated with those students.
I just saw so much care and somuch love for those students and
everybody working together.
And it was really inspiring.
And I think the parents who aremore involved are in a really
great place to let other parentsknow what's really going on in
(10:35):
our schools and how wonderfulthe people are that are working
there.
SPEAKER_03 (10:38):
It can be so fun to see those comments too.
You know, on the districtwebpage, we'll we've been
posting about our some of ournew principals stepping into new
roles at different schools.
And to see the comments, youknow, oh, we love Mrs.
So-and-so or Mr.
So-and-so was our favorite atthis school.
And they all kind of then feedoff each other.
Oh, yeah, my daughter had hisclass too, and how great it was.
(11:00):
And it's beautiful to kind ofsee that community coming
together.
I loved your idea aboutplaylists and uh setting up the
entertainment center.
You know, people have differenttalents that you may not think
of being extremely useful whenit comes to setting up for
events and things like that.
SPEAKER_01 (11:17):
And I think if you do have a talent that you want
to share, or if you think ofsomething that you could do that
they're not necessarily askingfor, you should reach out to
them.
If you think of things and waysthat you can help the school,
reach out to your PTA presidentor reach out to your classroom
teacher and see if you can helpwith those things.
I don't think we necessarilyneed to wait for somebody to
(11:37):
come and ask us to do something,or for somebody to come and
share the needs that they'reseeing.
If you feel like there'ssomething that you can do to
help the school, you should justgo ahead and reach out and see
if you can do it for them.
You may have an idea that theydon't even think of.
SPEAKER_02 (11:50):
Right.
I think there's a lot of thingsthat that people can do that we
have no idea they can do.
And so even just going to themonthly PTA meeting as a parent.
I mean, they're open.
You can attend SEC meeting as aparent.
You can just show up and sit inthe back and get involved that
(12:13):
way just by gleaning all theinformation that's out there
that you might not know.
And then if something does comeup and they need one of the
schools, I would help with thebook fair, and we would just do
a little book talk.
And I'm like, I love to readpicture books outside.
I mean love to read picturebooks.
And so we would just go in andand share a book and say, Hey,
(12:37):
we have a book fair duringPirateacher Conference.
Come and see.
And that, you know, that's ifyou just did that, that's once a
year or twice a year.
SPEAKER_03 (12:45):
And that's who didn't love a book fair too.
SPEAKER_02 (12:48):
That was it.
Yeah.
So I think there's a lot ofthings and just coming to a PTA
meeting or coming into theclassroom where you can kind of
gauge what's needed and thendon't be afraid to say, hey, I
could help with that.
SPEAKER_03 (13:01):
Yeah.
And then you're seeing what'sgoing on at your kids' school,
whether you want to, you know,be involved on a daily basis,
like you said, or even justbeing able to talk with your kid
about, oh yeah, I I heard in themeeting that you guys are doing
that this week.
That sounds like so much fun.
That's really great.
We've been talking about PTA andSCC.
Can you explain the differencesbetween those two?
SPEAKER_01 (13:25):
The PTA is the parent teacher association.
So that is the parent group forthe school.
And so they will do a lot ofdifferent activities.
They'll do things to support thechildren in the school.
A lot of times they'll supportthe teachers in the school as
well.
The SCC is the school communitycouncil, and that is set up at
the school, and they go overland trust money and some other
(13:46):
funding that's provided by thestate.
And it's nice because as aparent, you actually get to have
a say in where that money isgoing at your school.
And both of those meetings arevery informative, at least at
our school.
The principal is at thosemeetings every time and shares a
lot of information about what'sgoing on at the school and you
know, different projects thatthey're working on.
And so you learn a lot as aparent when you're involved in
(14:08):
either one of those things.
SPEAKER_03 (14:10):
Very cool.
I actually didn't know thatabout the SEC.
You've worn a lot of differenthats in your time volunteering,
whether it's PTA, whether it'sas a parent in a classroom.
What have you gotten out of yourtime volunteering?
What is it that, you know, whenyou go home and like you said,
it fills your cup.
What is it that fills your cupwhen it comes to volunteering?
SPEAKER_02 (14:30):
I think there's a lot of different parts that can
fill you up.
One of them is just theassociation you have with the
students or the kids.
And, you know, they can look upto you as an adult that, you
know, is not scary or is not,you know, it's just a person
(14:52):
that cares about you and yourwelfare.
Um, another one is just theassociation with all of the
other parents that arevolunteering.
And like you like have aninstant group of people that are
like-minded and they care aboutthe kids and they care about the
school and they care about whatis going on.
And so all of a sudden you havea whole group of people that
(15:14):
that want to be there.
They're not forced to be there.
So when you're like, hey, weneed someone to do this, you
have people that go, Oh, I wantto do that.
And so that's kind of a fun, um,that's kind of a fun group to be
in, is because everyone chose tocome.
Everyone chose to show up andeveryone cares.
Kind of a shared triumph.
SPEAKER_01 (15:34):
Yes.
A lot of times we joke in thePTA that it's the same ten
people doing things, and you'llhear that over and over again.
But I think there's a reasonthat those 10 people at, you
know, whatever school they're atare super engaged.
And it's because they started uhvolunteering and then they
discovered how awesome it is.
(15:56):
And and I think if more peoplewere to get involved even at a
smaller level, I think theywould find out that it's really
addictive.
And so those same 10 people thatare super involved, they've
really caught that bug.
And I started volunteering tohelp be there for my student and
to be aware of what was going onin the school.
I keep volunteering because it'sit's helpful to me and it makes
(16:17):
me a better person and it makesme a much happier person.
And I actually go home from theday and I'm a lot more involved
in my stu my children's lives,and I'm a lot patient, more
patient than I thought I wouldbe.
I thought if I was at the schoolall day, every day, or you know,
for large hours of the dayvolunteering, and then now I'm
actually working at a schoolbecause I didn't want to leave
it because I love volunteeringso much.
(16:37):
Um, but after being at theschool for hours during the day,
you'd think that you'd go homeand you'd just be exhausted and
you'd be sick of kids, but I'veactually found the opposite is
true.
And I'm a lot more patient withmy kids.
And I think a lot of that has todo with that I am filling that
cup and I'm going home feelingrejuvenated because I have been
able to give my time and dothings that I love.
(16:59):
And it's so inspiring to be at aschool and see all of these
people that are just doing theirbest for these kids and see them
go showing up every single dayand getting to be involved in
something like that is reallyneat and it's very unique.
Most people who are, you know,going to jobs and things don't
get to spend that time justtrying to make sure that kids
(17:20):
are okay.
And so I really like that and Ithink it's really inspiring.
SPEAKER_03 (17:24):
That does sound very inspiring.
I need to go do somevolunteering now.
You know, I've we've spoken witha lot of uh PTA members and SEC
members here, and I think that'sone of the main takeaways that
they always say is it's spendingtime with the kids and
understanding them a little bitmore and getting those, you
know, those brilliant smiles.
(17:44):
Hey PTA lady, you know, thosemoments.
But then also the camaraderiewith maybe it is just 10 people,
but I've heard so many membersand volunteers say they have
come away with a lifelong groupof friends, you know, whether
it's talking once a day or oncea month at a meeting, it's just
(18:06):
something that really stickswith you.
What would you say to, I mean,if that doesn't sell
volunteering, I don't know whatwill, but what what message
would you have for any parentswho may be on the fence about
volunteering?
SPEAKER_02 (18:22):
I would just say get out of your comfort zone and
ask, or just show up, or justjust be there just one time.
Ask your teacher one time whatyou can do.
And it doesn't go away like fromelementary.
Elementary is really busy.
There's lots of stuff, there'slots of activities that teachers
(18:42):
are like, yes, come, come in myclassroom.
You know, you can read books onFriday, or you can help with a
small group, or you can cutstuff out for me.
But the gate continues on, andmiddle school and high school
kids also need they need somecaring adults around.
Yeah.
And if you're if you're the onefriendly face and they're having
(19:04):
a rough time and they're notpassing their classes, and so
their teachers are frustrated,and they're, you know, and
you're like, hey, it's so goodto see you.
I'm so glad you came.
I mean, they they need that.
Yeah.
They need that too.
And so don't forget about middleschool and high school.
And I know at the middle schoolsI've been at, we've done
(19:27):
lunchtime activities.
PTAs sometimes put on alunchtime activity, and it's an
eye-opening experience to comeat lunchtime in a middle school
and uh, you know, run a game, oryou can you can really see
what's going on.
So that night at dinner withyour kids, you can be like, Hey,
how's lunch going?
You know, like I've been there.
(19:47):
And so when they're like, ah,lunch, or they're like, Oh, it's
great, you're like, Iunderstand.
Yeah.
So don't count out the the bigkids too.
They need they need a friendlyface, and whether that's just a
smile, because you show up oncea month and walk through the
cafeteria to get to the PTAmeeting, and that counts too.
SPEAKER_03 (20:08):
Yeah.
I think you're right, everyoneneeds that, you know, even just
a smile or a kind word.
You don't know.
Maybe it's just an extra boostto a great day that they're
already having, but maybethey're not having such a great
day.
And it's amazing to see what onekind word can do to boost your
make you put you on a bettertrack for the day.
Yeah.
Who watch you, Jessica?
SPEAKER_01 (20:30):
I would just add to that that just start small if
you feel overwhelmed by it, findsomething small to do and just
slowly get your foot in thedoor.
And I think we need to rememberthat everybody is busy and every
family has varying levels ofbusy, and some families may not
be able to volunteer.
So if you have the time tovolunteer, you know, whether
you're a parent or agrandparent, volunteer not just
(20:52):
for you, your student, but forthose students whose families
can't volunteer because itreally takes a village.
And the more adults we can getthere into those elementary
schools that are there helpingthose kids and volunteering, the
better off our education systemwill be.
And we just all really need towork together.
So find time if you have it.
I know there are a lot ofparents that are at home that
(21:12):
might be able to give even justa couple hours a week.
And I promise that you'll make adifference, and not only for
them, but it'll make adifference in your life.
Totally agree with that.
SPEAKER_03 (21:22):
I think that's perfect.
You know, an hour can make adifference, a smile can make a
difference.
And if you have the time todonate beyond that, by all
means.
I mean, you guys haveestablished quite a great
community here at Canyons, andwe appreciate all the hard work
you do.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And thank you for listening.
If there's a topic you wouldlike to hear discussed on the
(21:44):
podcast, send us an email tocommunications at
canyonsdistrict.org.
SPEAKER_00 (21:51):
Thanks for listening to this episode of Connect
Canyons.
Connect with us on Twitter,Facebook, or Instagram at
Canyons District, or on ourwebsite, CanyonsDistrict.org.
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