No teaching experience is necessary to become a STAIR tutor. During one 2-hour tutor training session, tutors learn about STAIR policies, daily routine, and how to use the professionally designed curriculum in conjunction with a variety of teaching aids and supplemental materials. To ensure newly-trained tutors are comfortable with the process, they have a chance to observe an experienced tutor working with a student prior to being assigned their own student.
Once the tutor is trained, s/he chooses a STAIR tutoring site, usually at a local church or school most convenient for her/him. Tutors give one or two afternoons (MW or TuTh) or one Saturday morning a week for fun one-on-one interactive tutoring and mentoring sessions with second grade students. Each site has a Site Director, a specially trained STAIR staff person, who works with the tutors and students to ensure a successful tutoring experience for all.
At the tutoring sessions, STAIR tutors work with the students to complete the lessons included in 5 progressive units of reading instruction. The volunteer tutor and child read together, play word games, practice phonics, and write stories.
STAIR tutor training sessions are held in September and October at the beginning of the first school semester and again in January and February when the second semester begins. Individual training sessions also are scheduled as the need arises. The training sessions are conducted at a variety of locations throughout New Orleans at convenient times. Refreshments are always served.
Student Materials: Every summer STAIR staff assemble curriculum materials for the upcoming school year. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including collating, stapling, cutting, and coloring. STAIR workdays are conducted at a variety of locations at convenient times for volunteers to participate.
Office Help: STAIR also enjoys the help of volunteers for special projects.
You too can give the gift of reading by donating to STAIR. Visit our Donations page to learn about your options and then use our secure online credit card form to make your donation.
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