Our Volunteers
Who is volunteering?
We have a page with descriptions about our students, but we don’t seem to be saying much about who our volunteers are. I think it might be helpful to have a discussion about who is volunteering, and what is involved.
To begin, there are two major roles that we are volunteering for, being a tutor, or being a mentor. There are also motivational speakers and administrative support folks, but the majority of the volunteers are tutors, mentors, or both.
Being a mentor means being willing to meet once a week with a student to discuss topics from how to open a checking account, to who’s the best draft choice for the ‘Skins, to how to handle someone in the dorm who’s getting on your nerves – you get the idea. Mrs. Coliton can give you suggestions for starting the conversations, and will always provide support and counsel for difficult times, but you will be meeting privately with a student. It’s important to build trust and a rapport with your student. The timing is flexible, but most students go home on the weekend and have classes or trade assignments during the day. So that pretty much leaves weeknights for meeting.
Being a tutor is a bit more structured (time and content wise.) The tutoring sessions are Monday and Thursday afternoons. Volunteers can select one day a week or both, depending on their availability. The tutoring focuses primarily on math or reading/writing. You do not need any teaching background, although we have had several teachers (and even a couple of tutors who left their current career to become teachers!) All of the materials will be provided in the classroom. The tutors need patience to take the time to explain basic concepts and give one-on-one support to the students. Some of the students are ready for advanced concepts to prepare for college entrance exams, but most are working on passing their TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) requirements or preparing for the GED.
Our volunteers are everyday people. Our tutors range from college students, to active working professionals that are able to adjust their work schedule to tutor, and retired active seniors. Some are currently looking for employment and are tutoring to stay active.
Our mentors must be 21 yrs of age and tend to lean more towards working professionals who want to be involved, but need more flexibility in their schedule. The age range has been between the mid 20’s to the mid 60’s. The mentors need to have their own transportation since the center is not on any bus lines, have a desire to work with young people, an ear to listen and to not be judgmental. You need to have a willingness to share your life and the challenges you have had to overcome.
All of our volunteers got involved because they wanted to make a difference and help a young person. Not a single one expected to be touched in the way that they have been touched and changed. Our volunteers are everyday people, but to the students and coordinator think they are fantastic and have a lot to give.
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As the coordinator of the STARS program, I really try not to post on the volunteer blog, but I feel I need to make a comment about our wonderful cadre of volunteers. As a volunteer manager, I have to say it is truly an honor to work with such wonderful people. They are an amazing group that I truly in am awe of. They are a humble group as well, but they are doing so much to help the STARS students. It may be familiarizing them with new words, showing them how to solve a math problem, working on goals for career, school, or life, playing a game of chess or checkers, or just plain listening to their student. They are a caring group that want to see young people succeed. Woodland Job Corps, our students, and myself are very fortunate to have the amazing volunteers we have.
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To get involved please leave a way for us to get in touch with you.
I have been a mentor with the stars volunteer mentoring program for just about 6 months now. Being a mentor is a real motivator for me, as my mentee has shared it has been a motivator for her as well. I am just thankful that I have the ability to be empowered enough to make a positive difference in some else’s life/lifestyle. On 3/3/2012 I attended my first bi-annual mentoring meeting if I say no more the meeting was awesome, I am delighted to be a part of STARS Volunteer Mentoring Program….Most of all I am very thankful to have been chosen to be a part of the program.
Here is a comment from one of our mentors:
Working with a STARS mentee is a rewarding experience. My mentee seems to look forward to our time together. For the past three months, we have worked together. His control over current events appears to have increased, and his anger issues are much fewer. He now has a better grasp of reality and is more comfortable approaching others to seek help resolving issues. It is unfortunate that he has chosen to leave STARS and Job Corps next month, yet I know he will do well wherever he chooses to migrate.
It was great to meet again with my mentee after the holidays. We reconnected like old friends and shared holiday stories. There is so much to learn when you are able to spend time with a young person. STARS students are so receptive to mentoring and look forward to their weekly time with their mentors. It’s great to give back to a young person just through your time. Our quarterly mentor meeting today was inspiring and informative. It was a great opportunity to encourage and learn from each other. I am so glad to be a part of the STARS volunteer group!
In the past few weeks, Mrs Coliton (we all call her Mrs C) has brought on several new tutors and mentors. I dont where she gets them, but when then come on board, they are simply top notch!
Mrs C gets really high caliber talent into our program.
But dont let that dissade anyone from joining us!
Mrs C has a waiting list for STARS tutoring (especially English),and for mentors, that is double what she can provide with current volunteers.
Students will be forvever changed by the STARS experience.
Make a change, join us,and change one life at a time.
I have a current STARS student who I have the distinct and rewarding experience of tutoring in math over the last six months. She is a gem. My most dedictaded and rewarding student in my stint at STARS
She became a gem through both her dedication, and a total and dedicted effort by many at Job Corps. I know that the Educ. Dept contributed but I have no names there to offer.
But I can offer thanks to those in STARS.
First, and foremost, I offer my thanks to the mentor side of this program. Tutors sit with the students and hammer math and English into their heads!
Mentors sit down wth them and hammer reality into their head.
Michelle is this student’s mentor. I was fortunate, in these past few months, to have met with Michelle, and talked about our mutual student.
It has made even more progress for her, knowing the support from all fronts.
Gloria then listened to both Michelle and I, and did her own thing. She brought this student into the STARS office as an assistant.
We need more of this coordinatiion between the mentors and tutors, for if it clicks, it can breed real success!
Of course, the primary focus of any volunteer tutoring is to serve those we tutor.
But there is a unique and extremely rewarding side-benefit to anyone who comes to our STARS program.
I am now retired, after putting in 31 years of federal service, with my last decade of that service being a senior executive manager.
I say this only to reinforce the following. Ms. Coliton is one of the best managers I have seen in my career.
And dont take it just from me. I have been a volunteer tutor at Woodland for over three years now. The tutor staff there is as solid and long-lasting as anything you will ever see in a volunteer org. With my three years of tutoring there, I am still the new kid on the block!
Tutors come, and they stay. For two reasons. First, they came to share their skills, and second, because the STARS program that they volunteer to give their time to is a no BS program.
If you just come for a session to observe, you will be able to meet and chat with some of the most amazing and long-term dedicated professional volunteers that exist on this globe.
If you skeptically doubt the program or the caliber of what we offer, then that is wise of you. So many programs call for volunteers.Just call Ms Coliton at 301-362-6045 and spend an hour observing. If you meet with us and see our program, then I am sure you are soon to bee one of our tutors!
I am volunteering as a Math tutor.
My name is Robert.
There is NOTHING ordinary about our tutors!!!!
As has been posted, you dont need advanced English or Math teaching credentials to join us in our satisfaction.
It is primarily dedication. If you have a degree in math or English, you have the skills. The level of dedication and knowedge of STARS tutors is simply amazing,not only to new students, but to new tutors.
Our Stars Coordinator, Ms. Coliton, has set up a progran that gives any new STARS volunteer tutor not only an orientation into the program, but most importantly, a one-on-one series of observation sessions with a current tutor in their real teaching sessions that will show you, in advance, what it is all about.