List: Volunteer/Tutor "Job" Description

Purpose
  • To help an adult to develop and use reading, writing, and math skills to meet self-identified goals
Benefits
  • An altered perception of the world
  • Greater understanding and appreciation of different values and lifestyles
  • More skill in (creative) problem-solving
  • An enhanced understanding of the problems of illiteracy
  • Specific methods and strategies for helping an adult make sense of our print-oriented world
  • The joy of watching adults grow, change, and become skilled and passionate learners
  • (Note: Some volunteers -- who have volunteered consistently for two or more years -- may also request letters of recommendation for employment, higher education, etc.)
Volunteer Qualifications
  • Mature demeanor (plus over 20 years old or enrolled in college), respectful, empathetic
  • Good reading and writing skills and/or good math skills
  • Sense of humor
  • Dependable, truthful, prompt, organized, realistic expectations
  • Flexible, friendly, patient, optimistic, sensitive, creative
  • Maintain confidentiality about learners' lives and the work you are doing with them
  • Willingness to follow instructions, yet use initiative
  • Ability to make observations, question these observations, seek ways to assist learners based on these observations, engage learners in testing hypotheses to figure out what works best

Commitment/Responsibilities -- Classroom Setting
  • Complete two 3-hour online trainings: Tutor/Volunteer Orientation & Reading Horizons Phonics Workshop. Submit completed forms.
  • Complete two-day Tutor/Volunteer Training Workshop. 
  • Help adult learners accomplish all of their quarterly goals. Figure out best ways to encourage and support adult learners' progress. 
  • Work with either one or several learners (depending on the instructional focus of the group when you arrive) for at least 2-3.5 hours weekly for a minimum of 12 months. (Note1: Minimum of 4 months expected from college students. Note2: Volunteers may take vacations, etc., throughout the year.)
  • Record work done with learners in their work logs at the end of individual work sessions (or before you leave). 
  • Attend all Tutor Talks (in-service training sessions) for ongoing tutor training. (These trainings are held from 10:30-12:30 on Day 2 of each series of Tutor/Volunteer Training Workshops.)
  •    Participate in at least one state-sponsored workshop annually.
  •    Complete other online trainings, as appropriate.

Commitment/Responsibilities -- Library Setting
  • Complete two 3-hour online trainings: Tutor/Volunteer Orientation & Reading Horizons Phonics Workshop. Submit completed forms.
  • Complete two-day Tutor/Volunteer Training Workshop. 
  • Help an adult learner accomplish all of the learner’s quarterly goals. Figure out best ways to encourage and support the adult learner's progress. 
  • Work one-to-one with an individual -- twice weekly for a minimum of 90 minutes each time in a public place, such as a library for a minimum of 12 months. (Note1: These meetings should be separated by at least one day. Note2: During vacations or other short periods when tutors are not available, tutors need to leave learners with appropriate practice activities.)
  • Design each session in advance (about 30-60 minutes/session). Design sessions that stay focused on learner’s goals, needs and interests, use real-world materials; and illustrate the how and why as well as the transfer of knowledge from the tutor to the learner. Include home practice activities to be done between tutoring sessions. Meet with staff quarterly to discuss goal setting and celebrate goal attainment.
  • By the 5th of each month: Submit last month’s—lesson plans, hours (travel, preparation, and tutoring), progress (e.g., title of book read; description of task can now do independently and anecdotes which illustrate changes in the learner), successes, and concerns.
  • Attend all Tutor Talks (in-service training sessions) for ongoing tutor training. (These trainings are held from 10:30-12:30 on Day 2 of each series of Tutor/Volunteer Training Workshops. See blog for specific dates.)
  • Participate in at least one state-sponsored workshop annually.
  • Complete other online trainings, as appropriate.

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Literacy Action Center, 3595 S Main Street, Salt Lake CityUtah  84115
Phone: 801/265-9081   Web: www.LiteracyActionCenter.org
Visit our web site. Read our blogs. Join us on Facebook.


                                   We serve English-speaking adults 
                           in Salt Lake County and Davis County, Utah.
 No person shall be denied services because of race, religion, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.

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