Volunteer in Paradise
Volunteer in Paradise (VIP), an award-winning program that invites members of the community to support students by providing one-on-one and small-group tutoring in reading and math, cultivates respectful and meaningful relationships to support high expectations and a culture of growth.
VIPs partner with teachers, who have nominated students, to provide reading and math instruction. Students in the program receive in-person or virtual academic support from dedicated VIP tutors during the school day or after school. These VIPs, who make a meaningful difference in a child’s education, receive a minimum of eight hours of training. They also foster positive relationships and act as caring adult role models.
Become a VIP Today!
Do you have a passion for giving back? Are you interested in helping students succeed? If so, the Volunteer in Paradise program is for you. Training and support if provided.
PVSchools is looking for dedicated, high-quality volunteers who are seeking meaningful opportunities to make a difference. Volunteer tutors, proven to make an impact on academic achievement, are needed in all subject areas from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Our volunteers;
- Work one-on-one or with small groups of students with the goal of increasing their academic achievement.
- Serve as caring adult role models.
- Receive professional training to prepare for working in a classroom.
- Develop a supportive working relationship with teachers.
- Become part of the school community.
- Meet new friends through continuing education seminars and socials.
Requirements:
- Volunteer at least one day per week with a predetermined schedule.
- Work up to 10 hours per week during school hours.
- Commit to the entire academic school year ending in May.
- Complete a fingerprint background check.
- Attend a volunteer orientation and two half-days of professional training.
Sign up today for one of the monthly orientations to get started.
Achieving the Points of Light certification signifies that VIP has the capability and management expertise to strategically use volunteers to improve the performance of the organization. VIP joins the top 11 percent of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer management and organizational performance, making PVSchools the only school district with a program in Arizona to hold this prestigious distinction. The rigorous process took 12 months to complete, and entailed partnering with Arizona State University's Lodestar Center, which provided coaching and training to the VIP Administrator and the Leadership Team. VIP will be up for recertification in 2024.
Testimonials
- What our VIPs are saying about their experience...
- What teachers say about their VIPs...
- What aspiring teachers engaged in the VIP College Corps have to say...
- Former PVSchools Principal Chad Lanese on the VIP College Corps program...
What our VIPs are saying about their experience...
What teachers say about their VIPs...
What aspiring teachers engaged in the VIP College Corps have to say...
Former PVSchools Principal Chad Lanese on the VIP College Corps program...
Frequently Asked Questions
- What qualifications and experience are required for volunteers?
- What if I have travel or other plans that might cause me to miss a couple of tutoring sessions throughout the year?
- What do VIP volunteers do?
- To which school will I be assigned?
- Can you tell me more about the Volunteer Orientation? I haven’t decided whether I am ready to make a commitment yet.
- I have a fingerprint card. Will I still need to be fingerprinted?
- I was fingerprinted when I volunteered for another school/nonprofit. Will I need to be fingerprinted again?
- Is there a charge for fingerprinting?
- What will I learn in training?
- How is ongoing support provided once I begin work in a school?
- Will schools participating in the VIP program continue to use parent volunteers?
- What is the VIP College Corps?
What qualifications and experience are required for volunteers?
What if I have travel or other plans that might cause me to miss a couple of tutoring sessions throughout the year?
What do VIP volunteers do?
To which school will I be assigned?
Can you tell me more about the Volunteer Orientation? I haven’t decided whether I am ready to make a commitment yet.
I have a fingerprint card. Will I still need to be fingerprinted?
I was fingerprinted when I volunteered for another school/nonprofit. Will I need to be fingerprinted again?
Is there a charge for fingerprinting?
What will I learn in training?
How is ongoing support provided once I begin work in a school?
Will schools participating in the VIP program continue to use parent volunteers?
What is the VIP College Corps?
VIP in the News
Share the Love by Joining VIP
Read about how a husband and wife couple strengthen their bond through VIP.
Daily Point of Light Awarded to VIP Cathy McKeever
Read about Cathy McKeever's Point of Light Award for her support of PVSchools students and teachers.
Ready to grow its impact, Volunteer in Paradise turned to the Service Enterprise Initiative
Read the Service Enterprise Initiative-featured article on Arizona State University's Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation website.
Volunteer in Paradise Goes Virtual to Support PVSchools Teachers and Students
Volunteers in Paradise College Corps - Partnership with PVCC
Start Making a Difference! Contact Volunteers in Paradise
If you would like to learn more, please contact Marisha Geraghty, VIP Specialist, at (602) 449-2053.
Golden Bell Promise Programs Award Winner
Arizona School Boards Association
Volunteer in Paradise received the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) Golden Bell Promise Programs Award for Excellence during in 2017. The Golden Bell Promise Award recognizes school programs throughout Arizona that have shown outstanding successes in student growth.
First Place Magna Award
National School Boards Association
The Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders who take bold and innovative steps to improve the lives of their students and their communities. An independent panel of school board members, administrators and other educators selected the winners from nearly 250 submissions, and the presentation was made at NSBA's Annual Conference in Nashville. The VIP program earned a First Place Magna Award in 2015.