Volunteer Mid-SouthVolunteer Mid-SouthAcademy Tutoring Project Academy Tutoring Project

Memphis Academy of Health SciencesMemphis Academy of Health Sciences..

Marilyn.Rabinowitz

Project GoalsProject Goals

Help new charter schools develop the capacity to support an effective volunteer tutoring program.

Recruit and train volunteers to provide one-on-one/small group tutoring to students in reading and math.

History of the ProgramHistory of the Program

1990’s Volunteer Memphis (VM) developed the “Raising Readers” program- brought volunteers into Memphis City Schools (MCS) to read to elementary students

2001 –This program expanded to become the Our Children Our Future Tutoring Program-managed by MCS

December 2003 - Hyde Foundation asked VM to bring tutoring program to two new schools - MAHS and KIPP Academy

January 2004 - Program started - MAHS an L shaped wing in Caldwell -

Volunteers tutored in the hallways –Beth Stayton served as 7th teacher and tutor coordinator.

Recruited a total of 10 reading tutors, provided support to 15 students.

History of the ProgramHistory of the Program

2005-2006 - Added middle school math tutoring at MAHS and KIPP and elementary reading tutoring program at Southern Avenue Charter School.

2006-2007 - Added STAR Academy and Circles of Success Learning Academy

2008-2009 –Served two middle schools, three elementary schools Tutored elementary and middle school math, pre-algebra, algebra

and reading, creative writing and science

Recruited and trained 125 new volunteers ( plus 25 returning tutors ) More than 225 students received tutoring support. Of those, 30+ tutors served more than 65 MAHS students.

How it works!How it works!

VM recruits, trains and background checks each volunteer Volunteers receive intro to volunteering + specialized

training (in reading or math) and tutor manuals Volunteers can provide “one-on-one” or small group

tutoring – Must tutor at least one hour a week for the school year– Record their service hours and provide notes on what was

covered in the session– Notify school if they expect to miss a session or leave the

program VM works with volunteers and school during the year to

make sure things work smoothly

School Leaders’ ResponsibilitiesSchool Leaders’ Responsibilities

Enthusiastically endorse the program

Work with VM to build a structure to support tutors

Identify staff member to serve as tutor site coordinator

Provide tutoring rooms and additional resources when possible

Schedule events to show appreciation for tutors

Faculty and Staff ResponsibilitiesFaculty and Staff Responsibilities

Identify and prioritize students needing tutoring (VM recommends students scoring in 25-49 percentile)

Obtain parental permission for each student to participate in the program

Match students with tutors Identify a back-up student in case the regular student is not

available Provide information to tutor on the student’s academic

needs Provide feedback to tutor when possible Alert tutor to changes in schedule

Who are our tutors?Who are our tutors?

Doctors, lawyers, retired teachers…

Who are our tutors?Who are our tutors?

Scientists,

College students, scientific researchers, and bankers…

Who are our tutors?Who are our tutors?

Our volunteers are talented, dedicated, successful people who want to make a difference in the life of a child.

Profile of MAHS tutorsProfile of MAHS tutors

Roughly 50% men 50% women Range in age from 18-75 Represent 20 different zip codes 1/3 returning tutors – 2/3 new tutors 2/3 math tutors – 1/3 reading tutors 97% are currently in college or have completed

some college 44% have 4 year degrees 22% have graduate/professional degrees

Tutor’s Perspective – Why do they tutor?Tutor’s Perspective – Why do they tutor?

– Love working with kids – Want to be a positive influence – Share their love of reading or math– Want to make a difference in community– Interested in teaching– Work-study or scholarship requirements

Tutor’s PerspectiveTutor’s Perspective

Many have demanding jobs and busy schedules, but manage to make time for tutoring

Their time is limited – want to be effective Want to focus each session on the student’s individual

needs -don’t want to figure that out over several sessions Their primary investment is in the student – then the school Bond very quickly - look forward to seeing the student each

week Disappointed if student is not available or session is

cancelled due to last minute schedule changes If that happens frequently…you lose them

Tutor PerspectiveTutor Perspective

Respect and admire teachers- you know child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.

Team players -want to support your goals for the students Don’t want to intrude on teacher’s limited free time- or be a

nuisance Want focus - “what do you want me to work on” to help this

student succeed Say they like data and statistics – but they really want to

talk to the teacher Want feedback – “how did my student do on last week’s

test” Looking for best practices, shortcuts, teaching tips,

websites, worksheets, games

Tutor Wish List – Focus Group ResultsTutor Wish List – Focus Group Results

# 1 More Communication - with Teacher– Tell me a little bit about this student (personality,

learning style, new to MAHS…)– What specifically should I be working on? – Should I reinforce what is going on in class – or go back

an teach missing skills? Top 10 weak areas?– Do you want me to use specific materials, worksheets,

texts?– Can I get a “heads-up” on what I should cover?– Feedback during the year – test results– Can you share some key techniques?– How do I handle child’s negative attitude to tutoring?– Am I helping? How can I do a better job?

Tutor Wish ListTutor Wish List

#2 More Communication -with SchoolMAHS has most “flexible” schedule (Good for

school – bad for tutors)– Alert site-coordinator to changes in schedule– Give tutors frequent reminders of testing

schedules, holidays, special events– Try to minimize number of times a tutoring

session has to be cancelled– Identify alternate students to work with tutor if

usual student is out – Follow-up if tutor misses a session

Tutor Wish ListTutor Wish List

#3 More resources- contribute to the tutor room

Level appropriate books, reading materials/hand outs

Number lines, white boards, math games, manipulatives, vocabulary

Access to computers - good web-sites Tips for changing pace of session Ways to make it more fun Rewards – uniform pass

Next stepsNext steps

Working on quick and easy ways to improve communication – minimize burden on teacher– Have 2009-2010 schedule – send reminders and

newsletters– Face Book Page and Google Group for each school-

tutors invited – teachers?– Share email addresses?– Initial meeting with teacher/tutor?– Folder with profile – test summary?– Times teacher might be available for quick consult?– Tutor/teacher group chats?

Next StepsNext Steps

Working on improving tutoring rooms Organizing existing materials Ordering some games and supplies Storing assortment of books from First

Book – given to students during the year Installing a computer Recruiting for 2009-2010

We want your ideas on ways to take the We want your ideas on ways to take the tutoring program to the next level.tutoring program to the next level.

Marilyn Rabinowitz – Program Director mrabinowitz@volunteermidsouth.org - (901) 523-2425 ext. 203

Ms. Merry Anderson is MAHS Site Coordinator Ms. Biles, Mr. Weathers and Ms. Stayton and

are key members of the team Deke Iglehart and Steve Brown are highly

experienced tutors Face Book site is Volunteer Mid-South

Academy Tutoring Project

Academy Tutoring Project Volunteer TutorsAcademy Tutoring Project Volunteer Tutors

Tutors want to be part of the team- part of the MAHS family

They are a valuable resource - offer strong academic skills and a confidence boost for the student.

They often bring additional resources to the school.

They become staunch advocates in the community for MAHS and charter schools.

They – like you - are all about the kids!

Volunteer Mid-South Volunteer Mid-South Academy Tutoring ProjectAcademy Tutoring Project