STAR needs volunteers to teach, tutor
For students interested in teaching or tutoring, the Students Teaching Arithmetic and Reading (STAR) is in need of volunteers to help tutor elementary students across the valley.
STAR, a non-profit organization, consists of Utah State University students who want to serve their community in a more academic way.
“Our goal is to provide one-on-one tutoring on math and reading skills to elementary students,” said Marie Christensen, director of STAR.
Volunteers will spend at least an hour a week tutoring elementary students in their respective schools. They will work under the direction of the school teachers, Christensen said.
Glenda Tripp, a special education teacher at Wilson Elementary School, said STAR has brought a lot of excitement as well as improvement into the classroom. Tripp, who started using STAR in her classes eight years ago, still looks forward to every STAR volunteer visit.
“STAR makes a big difference in academic gains the children make during the year. It also provides good training and social skills for the children,” Tripp said.
With the help of STAR, her students make major improvements in their reading and arithmetic skills. The children love the volunteers and they work very well together, she said.
STAR began in 1994 when Emily English, a USU student, decided to use her skills to help elementary students in the community. Under the direction of Quinn Bennion, service vice president of Associated Students of Utah State University, she organized STAR.
The organization began with only eight volunteers helping out in a total of eight elementary schools around the valley. The number of schools increased to 12 as a result of the volunteers’ dedication and the schools’ good response. Schools that use STAR in their classrooms include Wilson, Providence, Lincoln, Woodruff and Ellis elementary schools.
“Being STAR volunteers make our day better because the children are excited to see us. The children need our help,” said Alicia Exeter, school director for STAR.
“The key reason to STAR’s success is because the people who are involved do not do it for money but for the love of service,” Tripp said.
STAR is looking for interested volunteers to fill its school director position. Application forms are available at the Taggart Student Center, Room 332 for students who are either interested in being a part of STAR or the open position.