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Give the Gift of Readinggift

What’s a gift that…
will be treasured forever,
is guaranteed to fit,
will be used every day,
will never break,
will make a wonderful, everlasting
change in someone’s life,
and creates a positive ripple
throughout the community?



Gaston Literacy is committed to producing top quality results for its students, and to helping them achieve personal, educational and job-related goals through literacy. 

Research shows that adults need the following to learn to read:  support, encouragement, teaching, role-modeling, confidence, appropriate reading material and a purpose. 

It is our policy to provide tutor training as well as materials without charge to volunteers who commit to tutor a Gaston Literacy Council student.  Tutor Training utilizes best practices methodology according to ProLiteracy America quality standards.

Qualifications:

  • Must be 18 years or older, with transportation.
  • Possess the minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
  • Must submit a clean criminal background report, if requested. 

Volunteer workshops are held at
Gaston Literacy Council
located in the Wesley Center—downstairs
116 South Marietta Street,
Gastonia, NC 28052

Driving Directions

For information about tutor workshops
 
Call 704 868-4815  or click here to send email
Volunteer Development Minimize

Gaston Literacy Council, Inc. (GLC) is committed to equipping volunteers with the best methodology, materials, and know-how to deliver high quality services in keeping with standards set by ProLiteracy, the world’s largest literacy organization of which we are an accredited affiliate.  New volunteers are required to complete an initial orientation and training process designed to generally acquaint them with core competencies and best practices within the field.  
volunteers
Workshop opportunities prepare volunteers to tutor students in Adult Basic Education, Pre-GED, English as a Second Language, and Reading Soul Mates.  Key elements of GLC’s volunteer training include:  pre-inventory of knowledge; literacy issues and background; needs and characteristics of learners; learner-centered instruction; learning styles; speech sounds; basic tutoring techniques; principles of language acquisition; total physical response; goal setting; lesson planning; assessments; and agency policies and procedures.  

Instruction utilizes Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences as a guide to successful teaching.  Tutors are also introduced to the Kolb Cycle to foster growth and development as students take part in active experimentation as well as reflective observation on how they are learning.

 
 

Rights and Responsibilities Minimize

A volunteer at Gaston Literacy Council has the right to:

  • Orientation, initial and ongoing training, and a concise job description.
  • A position that is worthwhile and challenging, that will promote his/her learning and growth.
  • Receive support, guidance and direction from a designated supervisor.
  • Be treated with respect and given appropriate recognition.
  • Be kept informed on new initiatives and have opportunities to offer suggestions and ideas.
  • Be trusted with necessary confidential information.
  • Expect a mutually satisfying relationship with his/her student(s) and should seek a new student assignment if the needs of both parties are not being met.
  • A safe work site which is comfortable and conducive to the work being done.

  • Request a letter of reference which, in adherence with GLC practices, indicates only the dates and length of service as well as a current job description for the work that was performed.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Work regularly one-to-one or in small groups with adult learners. Individual tutors and students typically meet at least twice weekly for one-hour sessions.
  • Develop meaningful lesson plans designed to meet the goals and needs of the adult learner.
  • Document and submit a short monthly report on hours spent tutoring and preparing student-centered lessons as well as student accomplishments.
  • Adhere to agency guidelines on issues such as confidentiality.
  • Attend in-service training opportunities.
 

Volunteer Matching Minimize

Volunteers who work as little as one or two hours per week make a huge difference in someone’s life and their community.  Caring and compassionate people are needed to work one-on-one with nonreaders, teach groups of non-native speakers how to communicate in English, or work with at-risk second graders during the school day.  All of these activities make a dramatic, positive impact on others’ lives.  Not only will you help others, most tutors report a great sense of satisfaction. 

After completing the initial training workshop and at the time of matching, volunteers undergo a customized orientation/training session focusing on the assigned student’s goals and needs; curriculum review and lesson planning; appropriate materials, teaching strategies; agency policies and procedures; and tutor reporting procedures.

Either at the time of re-matching a volunteer with a student or during the student assessment process, each tutor’s skills are examined, students’ goals revisited, additional training needs determined and training scheduled if necessary as part of  GLC’s volunteer evaluation process.  Tutors are also encouraged to meet with their program coordinator any time questions or concerns arise.

volunteering
 

Gaston Literacy Council, Inc.
704.868.4815

116 South Marietta Street
Gastonia, NC  28052
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