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San
Joaquin

Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science (TOPS) is a comprehensive partnership program for helping schools tap the tremendous talent that exists in our society among retired scientists. TOPS helps develop effective partnerships that combine the knowledge and skills of classroom teachers with the content knowledge of retired scientists and engineers by volunteering to serve in a school and enhance the science learning of students. TOPS is more than just placing scientists in classrooms; TOPS Partners are trained and supported as they commit to spend a year in a school.


Recruiting the TOPS Partner 

  • Qualifications of a TOPS Partner

The Partners come from a variety of scientific or technical careers, with degrees in science or technology.  Former scientists, engineers, technicians, physicians, pharmacist, and science teachers and professors have found delight and satisfaction as they contribute to education in a very special way.

  • Screening

Security and state regulations require TB and fingerprinting screening. 

  • Commitments for joining the TOPS Program

TOPS Partners become the science resource for a school.  They volunteer for a minimum of 80 hours during a school year, or about 10 hours for 8 months.


Preparing the TOPS Partner

  • Training

Several times a year, new and returning Partners attend workshops covering pedagogy, science standards (state and national), and inquiry based learning.  During these workshops, Partners role play classroom procedures and practice different teaching methods.

Partners share model lessons they have developed and receive guidance and encouragement from TOPS staff and other Partners.

Partners attend conferences with their Lead Teachers, e.g., California Science Teachers Association.

  • Mutual assessment

Before and during the year, there are several opportunities for the TOPS Partner and the school to assess their commitment and to improve the Partnership.

  • Curriculum resources

Partners enhance their skills by participating in enrichment programs, such as, Math Science and Beyond, GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science), and K-12 Alliance.


Preparing the School

  • School commitment

School makes a commitment to support science learning by students and teachers.  Principal, school staff, and parents are involved in the decision to become a TOPS Partnership School.

  • Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher (LT) takes responsibility to help the Partner learn the school culture. LT helps the Partner match scientific background with school's needs and science matrix.  LT works with the Partner to schedule classroom presentations, teacher workshops, family science activities, and other programs (for example, science or rocket clubs).


Supporting the Partnership

  • Follow up

TOPS staff continually monitors and supports each School Partnership to maintain vitality and health. 

  • Networking meetings

Several times during the school year, TOPS Partners and LTs are brought together for networking and for sharing experiences and resources.  Special school problems and opportunities are discussed.

  • Parent involvement

Family Science Nights and special newsletters encourage parent and community participation and support of local TOPS Partnerships.


Evaluating and Continuing the Partnership

  • Ongoing evaluation

Regional TOPS Staff Developers (SD) regularly assess the health of each school partnership to provide guidance and help to solve any problem.

  • End of the year  evaluation

The whole school partnership is evaluated, and assessment instruments have been developed for the principal, LT, TOPS Partner and SD.

  • Preparing to continue
  • The evaluations set the stage for returning TOPS Partnerships.  Most Partners volunteer for more than three or four years.  All TOPS Partners report very rewarding experiences and help recruit their fellow retirees.