If you are interested in helping other adults improve their reading, math, or digital skills, Kirkwood Community College could use your help.

“We match adults in the community who are seeking to improve their basic reading, math, or digital skills with volunteer tutors.  They typically meet at the Washington [County] Regional Center or at places such as a public library, including the one here in Kalona, about once a week for an hour, maybe a little bit more,” Monie Hayes, an Adult Literacy Assistant at Kirkwood, says. 

“They work on whatever skills the student wants to work on.  We have a manual for the tutors and I can provide some materials for them, print or online.  But it’s highly individualized and they might work for several weeks or they might work for a couple of years together,” she explains.

Hayes notes that all tutors work on a volunteer basis, and that the two main policies to be followed are that tutors meet their tutees in a public place, and that both parties give notice if they have to cancel a meeting.

“Experience is not required. We get a lot of people who are toward the end of their careers and they’re looking for something to do to connect with others, give to the community,” she says.

The most important attributes of a tutor are that they be flexible and be able to try different methods if a tutee has trouble learning, and that they be consistent in meeting with the people they are tutoring.

Adults who are looking for tutoring help are post-high school age through their 70s.  Their needs vary: some may feel they never learned to read well and want to improve their skills; others may need to brush up on math skills before returning to school; others yet may need help developing computer skills so they can communicate with their grandchildren.

For more information, contact Dr. Monie Hayes at monie.hayes@kirkwood.edu, 319-653-4655, www.kirkwood.edu/washington.