Wildcat Tutoring Juniper and Diamondback Tutoring High Desert

Research has shown that one-on-one tutoring can make a significant difference in the way children learn. The more a child focuses on the process and strategies that work best for them, the more confident they will become in their abilities.  Helping to build confidence can lead to a child feeling more positive toward learning and carrying these skills into their classroom and group learning environments, where that confidence can translate to progress. Students that feel encouraged and supported have a more positive attitude toward learning and gain higher achievement rates which continues to grow self-confidence and progress in their own accomplishments throughout their life experiences.

Tutoring through UUFCO offers this help through two programs:

Wildcat Tutoring Juniper:  Volunteers meet with students one-on-one in the media center at Juniper Elementary School each Tuesday from 2:30-3:30 pm during the school year.  There are 16 permanent positions and 4 substitute positions.  The program day is divided into 20 minute increments with time for increasing Reading and Math skills through books and math packets provided by the school for each individual student’s needs.  The last section of the day is for increasing social skills learned through board games and cooperative play.  This is a group setting and both volunteers and students benefit from the close connections built throughout the year.  There are special events and activities (holiday and end-of-year parties) that add to the learning fun.  No special skills required. Some math basic training is offered to the volunteers during the school year.  Background checks are required by the School District and at no cost. 

Diamond Back Tutoring High Desert:  Volunteers have a virtual option at High Desert Middle School (Diamond Backs) this year. We are collaborating with SAGE (Senior Advocacy For Generational Equity) Wearesage.org , a 501-3c non-profit that has an existing and successful program at Parkrose Middle School in Portland. The COVID pandemic has left many students behind in their reading proficiency and in need of additional help. We are looking for volunteers that might prefer a virtual tutoring session instead of an in-person option and working with a slightly older child, primarily 6th graders. It will occur on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with two class options, 11:05 -11:40 a.m. and 1:20 -2:05 p.m. while students are in their classroom with teacher supervision and assistance on the schools Webex platform. We are looking for volunteers that will be matched with a specific student that you will be tutoring once weekly on the same day and time. Many of the kids are English as second language learners but no Spanish proficiency is needed for the tutors (although certainly appreciated!). There is an option to meet with your students in-person from time to time or on going if preferred. Please indicate your willingness to volunteer either in a “full-time” or “substitute” capacity/commitment. We will be happy to discuss more details with you as needed. A background check will be required for each volunteer and is readily available on-line. We will give you instructions on this when you volunteer.

“A society grows great when its elders plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

— Greek Proverb