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LCSC Volunteers

  Volunteers for the Literacy Council of Sumner County provide life-enhancing services to many people in our community. Tackling problems as varied as reading the newspaper or learning high level calculus, LCSC tutors meet each student at his or her level of need. And like all good teachers, our volunteers measure success by each student's personal progress. Of course, students are not the only ones who see their lives changed through tutoring relationships. Volunteering is often a challenge, but by putting themselves on the line, tutors often end up growing in ways they never thought possible. In addition, the relationship that a tutor forms with his or her student is often very gratifying. When a student succeeds, whether in passing eighth grade or finally receiving that long sought-after promotion, a tutor has the great joy of sharing in his or her student's success.

Why We Tutor

While we often speak in generalizations, each tutoring relationship is unique. The students of the Literacy Council of Sumner County experience various levels of success in their tutoring. Some are able to over come very small problems in limited subjects, while others are taught life-changing skills. But the LCSC views every success with equal satisfaction for a job well done. Here are some thoughts from our tutors:

• "Volunteering has enabled me to feel I can be of some value. It has also given me a lot greater respect for young people. You hear so many negative things, but I've found they're all very nice and it's been a delight to work with them. A number of them that couldn't pass their math have gone on to graduate—one even made A's for the first time since the fourth grade, which was every satisfying. Tutoring has kept me alert. - E.L.

• It's been a wonderful, growing experience. It not only helped other people, but it helped me, too. I would come home from work tired, and then I would go over to the library to meet my student. After the tutoring session, I would come out refreshed. - N.B.

• I have always loved to read—as a child, books were some of my best friends. Sharing this with others and enriching their lives is very meaningful to me. - R.P.

• Volunteering is an opportunity to help other people enjoy academics in an original and unconventional environment. - J.K.

• Seeing someone who has been struggling with a concept finally grasp the idea—voila! Fully lit bulb! There's nothing quite like seeing the smile and recognition. - K.K.

• Giving freely of my time and talents to strengthen skills and enhance reading abilities and self-esteem and being part of a student's success at sounding out new, unrecognized words—I love it! - L.B.

• The most rewarding aspect is knowing that after each session, the student has advanced another stride academically. J.K.

• Volunteering has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for me. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help an ESL student learn to read. - S.A.

• Volunteering has meant being selfish. Since (it seems clear to me) everything we send out eventually comes back to us, then helping others (when they've asked, so I'm not interfering with their lives) just keeps help, when needed, and good stuff coming back into my own life. J.C.

• Volunteering means that I feel that I am contributing to someone else's fulfilling his or her potential and meeting his or her goals. - L.B.

• Literacy Council of Sumner County volunteers enable each student to believe in him or herself and have hope, which is the essence of the human spirit. - M.A.

What makes a good volunteer?

• An interest in helping someone who struggles with reading or math.

• Time available on a weekly basis: 2-5 hours per week.

• Patience, flexibility, creativity, self-discipline, organization skills, empathy, and common sense.

• Enjoyment of working one-on-one helping individuals.

Remember, you don't need to be Albert Einstein to help someone by tutoring!

The need for volunteers

• The National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 2003 suggests that over 10,000 adults in Sumner County lack the ability to fill out a job application or read a simple story to a child.
• The 2000 U.S. Census tells us over 28,000 adults in Sumner County do not possess a high school diploma.
• A study compiled by Children's Defense Fund from the most up-to-date information currently available found that in Tennessee 73% of fourth grade public school students performed below grade level in reading, and 71% were below grade level in math. (Children's Defense Fund, State of America's Children, 2008)

Volunteer Opportunities

 

The LCSC always needs help:

Tutor a student (children or adults)

Reading , Spelling, Writing, Comprehension, Math, G.E.D. Prep, English as a Second Language

Speak to community civic groups on behalf of the LCSC

Marketing. Help us publicize our services

Help with fundraising

Serve on an Advisory Board

Volunteer for short-term special events

Board of Directors

To help our organization in planning, policy making, developing financial and community support. Experience helpful in fund raising, law, human resources, and board development. Monthly meetings. Approximately 4 hrs. per month.

Math Tutors

To help children or adults with basic math skills or algebra and geometry. 1-2 hrs. per week. All levels of proficiency are needed, from basic math through high school math levels.

• Adding and subtracting

• Multiplication and division

• Fractions, decimals, and percentages

• Algebra and calculus

Training

No matter what your volunteer interest, we have the training to get you started.

We offer:

•  General Orientation Classes

•  Workshops on Tutoring Subjects

•  Individual Volunteer Training and Support as Needed

  Tutor Tips

Get Started

What's next? Once you decide to become a tutor, you will be matched up with a current tutor to observe and discuss the tutoring experience, and participate in training sessions. Ready to make a difference? Print our Volunteer Application Form, fill it out and mail it to:

Literacy Council of Sumner County
260 West Main Street
Hendersonville, TN 37075

Or if you prefer, email info@literacysumner.org or call 615-822-8112 to set up an appointment.

 

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

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