EdCC wants reading tutors
Published on Thu, Sep 2, 2010Read More News
Edmonds Community College is looking for literacy volunteers, offering free training to people who will help adults improve their reading skills.
The Volunteer Literacy program, which provides tutoring to adults in the college’s ESL, GED, and Basic Education programs, needs more reading tutors.
The college’s Volunteer Literacy Program will offer free training for adult reading tutors 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17, in Snohomish Hall 304 at the college, 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.
Those who complete the training will be asked to commit two hours per week for six months as a literacy volunteer.
One such volunteer is Rob Scarr, an Edmonds resident and physician at the Everett Clinic who has been a tutor for two and a half years, teaching math, science, and social studies to students in GED classes.
“I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives, and I’ve always enjoyed teaching and mentoring.” Scarr said.
“Why volunteer? My family has a long tradition of volunteering. It’s expected within our family.”
The training “Teaching Adults to Read: Components of Reading,” will include new research into what works for adult learners and new strategies for teaching reading.
It focuses on alphabetics, fluency, and comprehension skills. The training is funded by the National Institute of Literacy and is based on the institute’s research, publications, and recommendations for adult literacy instruction.
“Most of the students really want to learn, or at least pass the test, and they do appreciate the help,” Scarr said. “ It’s fun when their eyes light up when they understand something.
“These students have combined challenges — a very basic understanding of some of the subjects, and for many English isn’t their first language.
“They need the one-on-one interaction so they can get their questions answered and understand the process.”
Adult literacy expert Kathy St. John will teach the one-day course.
St. John has worked in adult literacy for more than 20 years as an ESL teacher, literacy program coordinator, and a consultant for organizations including the National Institute for Literacy and ProLiteracy Worldwide.
Besides helping to make a difference in peoples lives, volunteers will find they get as well as give.
Volunteers find they have many rewarding experiences, such as what Scarr describes as his best volunteer experience.
”That would be when a student I’d been working with told me her friends had tried to get her to skip class because it was such a beautiful day,” Scarr said.
“But she said she had to come to class because she knew I was going to be there — that’s how I can tell I’m making a difference.”
Scarr also has some advice for anyone considering volunteering to become a tutor:
“Do it,” he says. “It’s an interesting challenge to learn how to do it well, and it makes a big difference in people’s lives.
“These students won’t get it from lecture alone. They need more personal contact. You don’t have to be great in math to help — and you can also teach reading and social studies. “There are lots of ways to help.”
For more information or to register, call Nancy Strom at 425-640-1032.
Find out more about Edmonds Community College’s Volunteer Literacy Program at http://www.edcc.edu/vlp/.
The Volunteer Literacy program, which provides tutoring to adults in the college’s ESL, GED, and Basic Education programs, needs more reading tutors.
The college’s Volunteer Literacy Program will offer free training for adult reading tutors 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17, in Snohomish Hall 304 at the college, 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.
Those who complete the training will be asked to commit two hours per week for six months as a literacy volunteer.
One such volunteer is Rob Scarr, an Edmonds resident and physician at the Everett Clinic who has been a tutor for two and a half years, teaching math, science, and social studies to students in GED classes.
“I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives, and I’ve always enjoyed teaching and mentoring.” Scarr said.
“Why volunteer? My family has a long tradition of volunteering. It’s expected within our family.”
The training “Teaching Adults to Read: Components of Reading,” will include new research into what works for adult learners and new strategies for teaching reading.
It focuses on alphabetics, fluency, and comprehension skills. The training is funded by the National Institute of Literacy and is based on the institute’s research, publications, and recommendations for adult literacy instruction.
“Most of the students really want to learn, or at least pass the test, and they do appreciate the help,” Scarr said. “ It’s fun when their eyes light up when they understand something.
“These students have combined challenges — a very basic understanding of some of the subjects, and for many English isn’t their first language.
“They need the one-on-one interaction so they can get their questions answered and understand the process.”
Adult literacy expert Kathy St. John will teach the one-day course.
St. John has worked in adult literacy for more than 20 years as an ESL teacher, literacy program coordinator, and a consultant for organizations including the National Institute for Literacy and ProLiteracy Worldwide.
Besides helping to make a difference in peoples lives, volunteers will find they get as well as give.
Volunteers find they have many rewarding experiences, such as what Scarr describes as his best volunteer experience.
”That would be when a student I’d been working with told me her friends had tried to get her to skip class because it was such a beautiful day,” Scarr said.
“But she said she had to come to class because she knew I was going to be there — that’s how I can tell I’m making a difference.”
Scarr also has some advice for anyone considering volunteering to become a tutor:
“Do it,” he says. “It’s an interesting challenge to learn how to do it well, and it makes a big difference in people’s lives.
“These students won’t get it from lecture alone. They need more personal contact. You don’t have to be great in math to help — and you can also teach reading and social studies. “There are lots of ways to help.”
For more information or to register, call Nancy Strom at 425-640-1032.
Find out more about Edmonds Community College’s Volunteer Literacy Program at http://www.edcc.edu/vlp/.
