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.
“I taught first grade, and I had some amazing parent volunteers in my classroom,” Hansen says. “It makes a huge difference if you have parents that are involved, so I knew as soon as my son started kindergarten that I needed to be involved.”
Both Davies and Hansen have seen first-hand how someone taking on even a seemingly minute task, can make a big difference in the education of Canyons students.
“We’ve had parents who have come and they’ve helped set up the stereo system or they’ve found a playlist for an activity or even, just taking pictures at an event,” Davies says. “There are a lot of things that you can do that, it doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. So, find a way to get involved.”
Whether joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or the School Community Council (SCC), or volunteering to work on cutting out a project for a student while you’re at home, Davies and Hansen encourage anyone to become involved in the schools.
“The more adults we can get into those schools that are there helping those and volunteering, the better off our education system will be,” Davies says. “We just all really need to work together, so find time if you have it. I know there are a lot of parents that are at home that might be able to give even just a couple hours a week, and I promise that you’ll make a difference and not only for them, but it’ll make a difference in your life.”
Episode Chapters
2:50 – Why We Started Volunteering
Our experts share their reasons for volunteering and what kept them coming back for more every year.
5:01 – Finding Your First Way In
It’s a common misconception that volunteering means having hours upon hours to give, but we learn how even small acts can make a big impact in our schools.
10:42 – PTA vs. School Community Council
For those who do have a bit more time to give, our experts explain the difference between the PTA and SCC and how they might be the perfect fit for individual skillsets.
13:25 – What Volunteering Gives Back
Studies have proven that the act of doing something for someone else out of the kindness of your heart, can improve your mental health. Our experts share what it’s like to be in a community of fellow givers.
