|
Make a difference in someone's life! Become a tutor with the Volunteer Learning Program.
About Us
The Volunteer Learning Program (VLP) is sponsored jointly by Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Special Services, Fairfax County juvenile court, and the Fairfax County public library system. Established in 1975, VLP is a tutoring program designed to meet the educational needs of Fairfax County adults by supporting ACE’s three adult high school completion programs (GED, National External Diploma, and Woodson Adult High School), and the educational needs of certain juveniles without a high school diploma.
VLP staff is committed to helping its learners achieve their academic goals and to providing its tutors with a rewarding, well-supported volunteer experience.
For Tutors
Can I be a volunteer tutor if I have no background in teaching or tutoring?
Yes! VLP doesn’t require experience in the field. VLP provides training and ongoing support for its volunteer tutors. The only requirements are a high school diploma, a minimum age of 21, and participation in a VLP Tutor Training Workshop before starting to tutor.
What kind of commitment is expected of volunteer tutors?
VLP asks for a commitment of at least one hour, once per week, for at least 4-8 months. Most tutoring assignments fall within this timeframe. Tutors decide what day and time works best.
Who is a typical VLP learner? What subjects am I expected to tutor?
Most VLP learners are adults who want to obtain their high school credential and need to improve their reading, writing, and/or math skills in order to perform high school-level work.
VLP learners also include adults who have a high school credential but still need to improve their reading, writing, and/or math skills in order to perform post-secondary work, such as at Northern Virginia Community College (a goal for many), or to get a better job. VLP’s learners must have basic English language skills, and basic reading, writing and math skills. Those who do not are referred to other programs to first acquire those basic skills.
What types of volunteer assignments are available?
There are several, and you can pick the one that works best for you!
-
Work one-on-one with one adult learner and meet once a week in a Fairfax County Public Library. Select a library that is most convenient for you, and meet within normal library hours. (According to VLP policy, tutors must meet their learners in a public place, and never in a home or other private setting.)
-
Tutor once a week at Woodson Adult High School in regular high school classes such as English, algebra, or geometry. Work with the regular teacher, textbooks, and curriculum to help the teacher individualize instruction for each adult learner and to assist with small group work.
-
Volunteer once a week with the
General Education Development® (GED) program. This includes not only advanced GED preparation classes, but also skill building classes in language arts and math and in learning labs which deliver individualized instruction. Work with the regular teacher, textbooks, and curriculum to help the teacher individualize instruction for each adult learner and to assist with small group work.
-
Tutor once a week with the National External Diploma Program to help individuals complete program requirements by assisting them with the reading, writing, and math skills necessary to accomplish their tasks.
-
Volunteer during the daytime in regular high school classes at the Juvenile Detention Center and with other interagency programs where court-involved youth obtain their high school education in alternative settings. A background check, including fingerprinting, is required for these assignments.
-
Work in the GED and English for Speakers of Other Languages program at the Adult Detention Center. There are many classes which need the help of caring volunteers, and individual tutors for day and evening assignments.
-
From time to time, projects and community collaborations provide new avenues for volunteer tutoring.
How does VLP match a tutor with an individual adult learner?
-
The learner contacts VLP and requests a tutor.
-
A VLP specialist makes an appointment to meet with the learner for intake. Intake includes detailed information on learner availability, plus a reading, writing, and math assessment to determine the learner’s skill level.
-
The VLP specialist writes up a detailed learning plan based on the learner’s goals and needs.
-
The VLP specialist finds a tutor who can meet with the learner according to the availability and best library for both tutor and learner. If the tutor accepts, the assignment is made.
-
The VLP specialist delivers to the library’s circulation desk a tutor packet containing the learning plan, the recommended textbook(s), and other pertinent information.
The packet is in the tutor’s name and is picked up by the tutor in time for the first tutoring session.
-
The tutor contacts the learner to arrange the first meeting date and time.
-
And the assignment begins!
How do I know where to start with my individual learner?
You will receive a detailed learning plan based on the learner's intake meeting with the specialist. The learning plan will recommend areas for study and also suggest strategies and techniques for you to use.
What kind of support can I as a volunteer tutor expect from VLP?
VLP provides you with everything you need to get started. Your specialist is always here to assist you, to answer questions, and to provide materials as you continue your assignment. Once a month, you will hear from the VLP coordinator, too! VLP also provides tutor workshops where volunteers can get together to learn more about a specific topic and to get to know each other. Periodically, the VLP coordinator sends out a newsletter with pertinent information to help you in your tutoring. The VLP staff is always here for you!
What’s the best thing about volunteer tutoring with VLP?
You get the chance to make a real difference in someone’s life. You’ll see someone pass the GED test or get their high school diploma after so many years of being out of school. You’ll see someone finally understand the keys that good reading comprehension holds to so many other doors. You’ll help someone learn the math that they’ve been afraid of for so many years. You’ll see a struggling writer accomplish the task of constructing a good, solid essay. You’ll help someone acquire the skills to get into Northern Virginia Community College or to get a better-paying job. These, and so many more goals of VLP’s adult learners, are within reach because of the invaluable assistance of VLP’s volunteer tutors!
For Learners
What are the requirements to have a tutor through VLP?
You must be at least 18 years old. There is a one-time registration fee of $10 to get started. You must have good basic English skills (have completed at least high advanced ESOL classes) and you must have basic reading, writing, and math skills. If you don’t, VLP will refer you to the appropriate program.
What can a VLP tutor help me with?
Most VLP learners are adults who want to obtain their high school credential (GED or high school diploma) and need to improve their reading, writing, and/or math skills
in order to master high school-level material. VLP learners also include adults who have a high school credential but still need to improve their reading, writing, and/or math skills in order to perform post-secondary work, such as at Northern Virginia Community College (a goal for many!) or to get a better job. VLP has many different kinds of textbooks which are loaned to the tutor/learner pair for that specific assignment.
VLP’s learners must have basic English language skills and basic reading, writing and math skills. Those who do not are referred to other programs to first acquire those basic skills.
How often can a tutor meet with me? When and where do we meet?
VLP’s tutors are asked to meet once a week, for at least one hour. You tell us what day and time are best for you. All tutors and learners meet in a public library during the library’s normal hours. No tutoring is allowed in homes or other private locations.
How does VLP match a tutor with an individual adult learner?
What if I have to cancel an appointment?
It is best to set aside the same day and time every week to meet with your tutor. Remember, your tutor is a volunteer and does not get paid for tutoring. Sometimes emergencies come up, and you or your tutor will have to cancel. At your first meeting, make sure you have each other’s phone numbers. If one of you needs to cancel, please do so as much in advance as possible!
How do I know I am making progress with my tutor?
VLP will be in constant contact with your tutor to be sure you are making progress! Your tutor will also have materials that will help him or her document your progress.
How long can I stay with my tutor?
Most tutoring assignments last 4-8 months. Some last longer, some shorter, depending on your goals.
Contact Us
How do I ask for a volunteer tutor?
Call VLP at 703-246-2139.
Volunteer Learning Program Staff
Lori Baker, Educational Specialist
Trisha Carr, Program Specialist
Jan Buckner Throckmorton, Program Specialist
Britt Caridi, Program Assistant
| 
