Anyone interested in becoming a Literacy tutor should first complete an initial inquiry form. After completing the form, you will be contacted by a member of Literacy staff about next steps. Please take a few minutes to browse our website and learn more about the program!
The Basics
The Literacy program matches volunteer tutors with adults and young adults (16+) who wish to improve their literacy skills. Our tutors come from all walks of life; we see retired teachers, recent college graduates and current students, stay-at-home parents, full-time employees, etc. The one thing they all have in common is the desire to help someone build their literacy skills and live a more empowered life.
We will provide you with the tools, resources and support needed to become a successful Literacy tutor. Prospective tutors attend a free six-hour training facilitated by Literacy staff before being matched with a learner. No prior training or experience is required, nor do you need to speak a second language. Both tutors and learners have access to ongoing support from the Literacy office for the duration of their involvement in the program.
Successful literacy tutors will have:
- Patience
- Empathy
- Curiosity
- A collaborative mindset
- Respect for other cultures, beliefs, identities, lifestyles and backgrounds
Literacy tutors must be at least 18 years old and have the equivalent of a high school education. We ask that our tutors be fluent in English and have the willingness and ability to communicate regularly with Literacy staff. Everyone entering the program must participate in a background check (though a flagged check in itself doesn't necessarily preclude anyone from participating). We ask for a minimum commitment of one hour per week for one year. Some tutors choose to leave the program after a year, and some choose to stay for much longer!
So- I'll be teaching someone to read, right?
Maybe- but maybe not! It all depends on your learner’s current level of ability, and, more importantly, on their goals and immediate literacy needs. While some adult learners want to work on learning to read, there are many other literacy goals a learner may have. Here are a few common examples:
- English Language Learners (ELLs) may want to practice their conversational English or focus on building their vocabulary around a certain topic (like job-seeking, navigating healthcare needs, or communicating with a child’s school)
- Learners may want to practice internet and technology skills in order to search for information, use email, set up a social media account, or fill out online forms or applications
- Learners may ask for support as they prepare for a specific test or exam such as the GED or HiSET (note: we do not guarantee any math tutoring), the TOEFL, the U.S. Citizenship test, the written portion of the driver’s license test, food handler’s permit, etc.
We will help you focus on supporting your learner and their specific goals, whatever they may be!
How do you pair tutors and learners?
We consider factors such as location, ability and willingness to travel, schedule and availability, and any specific requests made by tutors or learners. For example, some female learners may occasionally request to be placed with a female tutor. Some people are willing to drive across town for their sessions while others may need to meet closer to home.
Once we've found a potential learner for you to work with, we will contact you to confirm. If it seems like a good match, we'll work to schedule an initial meeting between you, your potential learner, and one of our Literacy Specialists. After your initial meeting, you and your learner will work together to decide on a time and place for your weekly sessions.
Occasionally, a match doesn't work out for one reason or another. Schedules may change, priorities may shift, personalities or communication styles may clash. If that's the case, we encourage you to contact the office so we can work with you to find a more appropriate match. This is nothing to worry about and something we've handled many times before- the important thing is that everyone is comfortable with their match.
I'm not bilingual- how would I tutor someone who doesn't speak English?
Whoever you're matched with will know at least a basic amount of English. We ask that learners have enough English to allow for communication with staff and tutors, scheduling appointments, setting goals, etc. We will provide you with all the tools and support you need to work with an English Language Learner!
What if I feel unprepared or like I don't know what I'm doing?
That's normal! Just remember that we're here to support you for the duration of your tutoring journey. We have two excellent Literacy Specialists on staff who are glad to assist you with creating lesson plans, selecting materials to use during your sessions, or brainstorming if you're feeling stuck. The literacy office also offers many continuing education workshops and other programs throughout the year to provide our tutors with additional resources and support. Tutoring is a collaborative effort!