Does your program need new tutor trainers? Then select some volunteers/staff to attend the Florida Literacy Coalition's Train the Trainer Course starting May 4 as a preconference to the Florida Literacy Conference.
Every program needs tutor trainers on site, and strong programs have several trainers. Experienced volunteers are a good source of new trainers. Some may be ready to grow into different roles in your organization.
Recruit volunteers who are computer savy. Often new college graduates are a good source because they have taken online courses to get their degrees. If you can find trainers interested in blending online tutor training with face to face opportunities, you will have a more flexible tutor training mode. Sign up by March 19 for the train the trainer course. Travel assistance is available. Go to http://www.floridaliteracy.org/ to sign up.
Showing posts with label tutor trainers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutor trainers. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Training New Tutor Trainers
Every program needs several tutor trainers. Ideally you should have at least 2 or more who are part of your paid or volunteer staff. This allows you to provide tutor workshops based on demand rather than waiting for trainers to come from outside your community.
The Florida Literacy Coalition makes it easier for you to add new trainers. They provide a train the trainer workshop every year which kicks off at the Florida Literacy Conference. This year the first session is on May 4 in Captiva, followed by an online session on May 13 and an additional workshop in Orlando on May 21 & 22. The session only costs $25 and travel funding is available. You must be nominated by your program by March 19 to participate. Go to the Coalition's web site to learn more and get the application.
For more ideas on providing tutor in service. Do a search on this blog using the word, in service.
Sandy Newell, President of VALF
literacyflorida@hotmail.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Lake County Tutors Participate in Professional Development
Lake County Library System (LCLS) Adult Literacy Program was thrilled to be able to welcome Sharon Jaskula and Karen Wishart to a tutor professional development workshop held on April 22, 2008 at the City of Tavares Public Library. The topic was Fast Track Reading System - pronunciation and phonemic awareness.
As a literacy program that provides services through the incredible dedication of volunteer tutors, we are constantly exploring topics for professional development and surveying our tutors to identify their interests and needs. Phonics is always at the top of the list! For many, remembering how they learned phonics and feeling prepared to share that knowledge with the adult learners can present a challenge. When I had the opporutnity to learn about the Jacksonville Public Library's program at a recent LF! workshp held in Sarasota I knew I had a winner that I absolutely HAD to share with our tutors!
Sharon Jaskula has worked with the Jacksonville Public Library’s award-winning Center for Adult Learning since 1986. As the Literacy Program Manager, Sharon and her staff provide computer– assisted and small group instruction to adults reading below the 7th grade level and ESoL students at five sites. In an effort to help learners reach their goals, Sharon and her team created a system that incorporates a unique, accelerated approach to reading instruction. The library has found that these instructional strategies work with basic reading students who have not succeeded in other programs and it is called the "Fast Track Reading System." Key components of the Fast Track Reading System include: Orton-Gillingham approach; Syllable division, syllable types & tapping; Controlled text (word lists, sentences, spelling, dictation, cloze & matching); Authentic materials (critical thinking activities & snapshots); and Teachable moments and open-ended questions.
We were so pleased to have 21 tutors join us for this 3-hour workshop. We all learned so much. They are clamoring for more and reported that this was one of the best professional development meetings we have had to date! They were so impressed that they are already putting what they learned into action with English Language Learners and Basic Literacy learners and we look forward to many success stories.
Sharon and Karen, thank you for joining the LCLS tutor team and sharing your curriculum, enthusiasm, and insights.
Erika L. Greene
Literacy Coordinator
As a literacy program that provides services through the incredible dedication of volunteer tutors, we are constantly exploring topics for professional development and surveying our tutors to identify their interests and needs. Phonics is always at the top of the list! For many, remembering how they learned phonics and feeling prepared to share that knowledge with the adult learners can present a challenge. When I had the opporutnity to learn about the Jacksonville Public Library's program at a recent LF! workshp held in Sarasota I knew I had a winner that I absolutely HAD to share with our tutors!
Sharon Jaskula has worked with the Jacksonville Public Library’s award-winning Center for Adult Learning since 1986. As the Literacy Program Manager, Sharon and her staff provide computer– assisted and small group instruction to adults reading below the 7th grade level and ESoL students at five sites. In an effort to help learners reach their goals, Sharon and her team created a system that incorporates a unique, accelerated approach to reading instruction. The library has found that these instructional strategies work with basic reading students who have not succeeded in other programs and it is called the "Fast Track Reading System." Key components of the Fast Track Reading System include: Orton-Gillingham approach; Syllable division, syllable types & tapping; Controlled text (word lists, sentences, spelling, dictation, cloze & matching); Authentic materials (critical thinking activities & snapshots); and Teachable moments and open-ended questions.
We were so pleased to have 21 tutors join us for this 3-hour workshop. We all learned so much. They are clamoring for more and reported that this was one of the best professional development meetings we have had to date! They were so impressed that they are already putting what they learned into action with English Language Learners and Basic Literacy learners and we look forward to many success stories.
Sharon and Karen, thank you for joining the LCLS tutor team and sharing your curriculum, enthusiasm, and insights.
Erika L. Greene
Literacy Coordinator
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Volunteer Literacy Program Resources
Read more below about health literacy, board management, fundraising, grants, recruiting trainers, and how to become a member of LF! volunteers.
Health Literacy
As tutors and adult learners know, coping with poor health and hospitals is more difficult if you struggle with reading. Patients entering hospitals are asked if they have an advance directive, but the form is too hard for many to read. A simpler form is now available.
Typical written advance directives are written at a 12th grade level. This form is used by patients to document end-of-life treatment wishes, designate decision-makers, and promote discussion on treatment. An easier to read advance directive form written in a 5th grade level can be downloaded for free in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese at http://www.iha4health.org/
Volunteer programs can use this and other medical forms as real life examples in lessons.
Board Management
Many of Florida’s literacy programs are run by nonprofit boards. To learn more about board basics go to:
Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Board Management
http://www.allianceonline.org/FAQ
This site compiles questions related to Board Development, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Financial Management and Risk Management.
At your next board meeting, use the following list of fundraising tasks to evaluate your program.
BOARD FUNDRAISING TASKS
Have input into fundraising plan
Organize and participate on fundraising committee
Identify and cultivate new prospects/donors
Ask peers for donations
Always be an advocate for the agency
Make introductions for staff to follow-up
Accompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Give to the volunteer literacy program
STAFF FUNDRAISING TASKS
Accompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Research new and existing donors
Write case materials
Assist board in any way possible
Write proposals
Accompany board members on solicitation visits
Ask for money when appropriate
Take care of all logistics related to fundraising activities
Plan, plan, plan
Grants
Dollar General
The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants award funding to non-profit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Organizations must provide assistance in one of the following instructional areas:
Adult basic education;
General education diploma preparation; or
English for speakers of other languages.
The next open solicitation for request for proposals will be in January 2008. Please check in January at http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.071019.aspx
If you would like advice on grant writing, contact Sandy Newell, 850-245-6624 or literacyflorida@hotmail.com.
Florida Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants
The next application for LSTA grants is due March 2008. The application will be available at http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Literacy/Funding2.html Libraries can use the 2007 application as a template to develop a draft. There will be no major changes in the grant application for 2008. Technical assistance for libraries on grant writing is available through Sandy Newell snewell@dos.state.fl.us
Recruiting Trainers
One of the most interesting and challenging aspects of running a volunteer tutoring program is training tutors. Well trained tutors is the basis for a successful literacy program.
Programs need to offer volunteers additional opportunities to help your program. Recruit and mentor new trainers. Look for those who do well in the tutor training workshop. Observe their communication skills and understanding of how to work with adults. Candidates include experienced tutors and people with good facilitation and communication skills. Potential trainers need to know how to provide quality, interactive learning experiences for adults.
New trainers can attend a train the trainer workshop at a preconference to the 2008 Florida Literacy Conference. Technical assistance on program improvement and training trainers is also available from LFv. To get the latest on the 2008 preconference, go to http://www.floridaliteracy.org/con2008.html.
Health Literacy
As tutors and adult learners know, coping with poor health and hospitals is more difficult if you struggle with reading. Patients entering hospitals are asked if they have an advance directive, but the form is too hard for many to read. A simpler form is now available.
Typical written advance directives are written at a 12th grade level. This form is used by patients to document end-of-life treatment wishes, designate decision-makers, and promote discussion on treatment. An easier to read advance directive form written in a 5th grade level can be downloaded for free in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese at http://www.iha4health.org/
Volunteer programs can use this and other medical forms as real life examples in lessons.
Board Management
Many of Florida’s literacy programs are run by nonprofit boards. To learn more about board basics go to:
Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Board Management
http://www.allianceonline.org/FAQ
This site compiles questions related to Board Development, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Financial Management and Risk Management.
At your next board meeting, use the following list of fundraising tasks to evaluate your program.
BOARD FUNDRAISING TASKS
Have input into fundraising plan
Organize and participate on fundraising committee
Identify and cultivate new prospects/donors
Ask peers for donations
Always be an advocate for the agency
Make introductions for staff to follow-up
Accompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Give to the volunteer literacy program
STAFF FUNDRAISING TASKS
Accompany staff on key visits to funders
Help with expressions of thanks when appropriate
Research new and existing donors
Write case materials
Assist board in any way possible
Write proposals
Accompany board members on solicitation visits
Ask for money when appropriate
Take care of all logistics related to fundraising activities
Plan, plan, plan
Grants
Dollar General
The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants award funding to non-profit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Organizations must provide assistance in one of the following instructional areas:
Adult basic education;
General education diploma preparation; or
English for speakers of other languages.
The next open solicitation for request for proposals will be in January 2008. Please check in January at http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.071019.aspx
If you would like advice on grant writing, contact Sandy Newell, 850-245-6624 or literacyflorida@hotmail.com.
Florida Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants
The next application for LSTA grants is due March 2008. The application will be available at http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Literacy/Funding2.html Libraries can use the 2007 application as a template to develop a draft. There will be no major changes in the grant application for 2008. Technical assistance for libraries on grant writing is available through Sandy Newell snewell@dos.state.fl.us
Recruiting Trainers
One of the most interesting and challenging aspects of running a volunteer tutoring program is training tutors. Well trained tutors is the basis for a successful literacy program.
Programs need to offer volunteers additional opportunities to help your program. Recruit and mentor new trainers. Look for those who do well in the tutor training workshop. Observe their communication skills and understanding of how to work with adults. Candidates include experienced tutors and people with good facilitation and communication skills. Potential trainers need to know how to provide quality, interactive learning experiences for adults.
New trainers can attend a train the trainer workshop at a preconference to the 2008 Florida Literacy Conference. Technical assistance on program improvement and training trainers is also available from LFv. To get the latest on the 2008 preconference, go to http://www.floridaliteracy.org/con2008.html.
Here are more tips for recruiting trainers:
Recruit teams to work together.
Provide a “quality” workshop template with easy to follow instructions for the tutor
Invite potential trainers to a training workshop to share their experiences in specific area.
Observe new tutors and tap those who are most effective.
Contact experienced tutors who can not tutor regularly. They may not want to commit to tutoring a student weekly now, but may be willing to give a block of time within a couple of months to present the 10 to 16 hours needed to provide a workshop.
Always be on the look out for trainers and list this and other "jobs" as a volunteer opportunity on your tutor intake form.
Have a tutor trainer job description with specific duties and amount of time needed to prepare and give a workshop.
How to Become a LFvolunteer Member:
Individuals can join LF!v for only $15 and a group cost $25. Go to http://www.aflo.freeservers.com/membership.htm
for the membership form.
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