Tutoring

The Community Engagement Center offers several programs for students to get involved. One of the many opportunities is tutoring at the Paiute Tribal Center or at a local elementary school. It takes only an hour or two a day and is a perfect way to give back to the community.  It’s a great option for an education major looking for some volunteer experience or any other majors that love kids and enjoy being a mentor!

Tutoring at the Paiute Tribal Center is Monday through Thursday at 4:00, except for Wednesdays when it is an hour earlier at 3:00. If you don’t have transportation, you can meet at the Center fifteen minutes beforehand to carpool. Tutors mostly listen to elementary aged kids read, offer other homework help as needed, answer questions, and play board games. The kids love their one on one time with the tutor and appreciate the extra attention that they may not get otherwise. It makes them feel important that someone wants to spend time with them and help them.

Ruth, one of the service leaders in charge of the program, said of her experience tutoring: “It's the best part of my day. I enjoy getting to know the kids and tutors. It has become something that I love to do. I think a lot of people shy away from tutoring because they feel inadequate but the truth is, these kids just need some attention. I think adults forget too often how much a child can look up to a mentor. It's an opportunity to make friends, play games, and truly gain a better understanding and perspective for what these kids go through on a day to day basis.”

Volunteer Kaitlyn said, “I learned as much as I taught. At first it was something I had to do but it has turned into something I enjoy, and it makes me happy to know that in some small way I'm helping those kids learn, grow, and have happy memories with learning."

If you want more information about the Paiute Tribal Center tutoring program, please email Ruth and Shyrel at suugotutor@gmail.com.

There is also an opportunity to help out at East Elementary during the school day assisting with reading groups. About one third of the students at this local school are English-as-a-second-language learners, and so the teachers really appreciate having volunteers to help out in this area. Tutors would mostly listen to the children read to them. Studies have shown that kids who are not on par with their grade level in reading by the third grade will mostly lag behind their peers for the rest of their life, so it is imperative that these kids get this extra attention that their teacher cannot provide.

If you want more information about the tutoring program at East Elementary school, please email kim.sauceda@ironmail.org.

And of course, feel free to stop into the CEC for more information on these and any other programs that allow you to give back to your community!