Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity that can directly impact our community? Consider becoming a volunteer tutor who works with our adult literacy/adult basic education or English as a Second Language (ESL) students!

Our volunteer tutors aid adult learners by helping students to reach their learning goals. There are two tutoring capacities: 1) Classroom tutor and 2) Small Group tutor. A classroom tutor assists a professional adult literacy instructor in the classroom, providing supplemental instruction to students by either circulating in the classroom or working with small groups of students needing help with certain subjects. A Small Group tutor, under the guidance of a professional adult literacy instructor, acts in an instructor capacity leading a small group of students who need to improve their literacy skills. Although prior teaching experience is helpful (most especially for Small Group tutors), it is not required for volunteer positions. Volunteer tutors do not need a teaching certificate or to be able to speak a foreign language. However, we do ask that our volunteers:

• Have good reading and writing skills in English
• Classroom tutors: possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Commit to working in a classroom at least once a week (daytime or evenings), approximately 2 1/2 hours a week, for a minimum of six months
• Small group tutors: possess a four-year degree or be pursuing a four-year degree. Commit to independently leading a small tutor group at least twice a week (afternoon or evenings), 1 1/2 hours each session, for a minimum of six months.
• Participate in periodic, face-to-face, or online training workshops offered free of charge
• Attend a workshop on volunteering in the Adult Literacy program at NCC
• Model respect and understanding for students
• Be flexible and adaptive
• Keep a sense of humor and share enthusiasm
• Have an interest in lifelong learning!

Volunteer Tutor Application Process

To find out more about how to become a volunteer tutor in your area, please visit http://www.volunteerlv.org/ for information on how to get started on your application. Click on "Volunteer Opportunities" and type in the keyword "NCC" to find out about our latest offerings. Volunteer Tutors will be asked to complete the following application process before receiving a tutoring assignment:

• Complete specific online courses related to adult learning through a free website (approximately 45 minutes in length).
• Attend a Volunteer Orientation workshop, which is offered multiple times per year in a late afternoon time frame
• Fill out an application form and clear a PA background check (paid for by the College).