Volunteers needed to tutor Ramona elementary students in reading

The Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring program is seeking volunteers to tutor reading sessions for first- through third-graders at each of Ramona’s elementary schools.

Tutoring elementary students is one of the best opportunities to build meaningful community relations, program officials say.

“It’s a win/win for both sides,” said Lynn Hardy, a volunteer tutor at James Dukes Elementary for the second year. “The adults are volunteering and being productive with their time, while the students are building positive relationships with an adult outside their family.”

Oasis Tutoring is just one component of the national Oasis program, which connects trained volunteers, typically aged 50-plus, with students needing help across the Ramona Unified School District. 

Volunteers are needed for one hour a week, and can read at the local elementary school of their choice, including James Dukes, Barnett, Mount Woodson, Hanson, Ramona and Ramona Community Montessori elementary schools, said Melinda Linder, Oasis district coordinator for Ramona. 

There are currently 27 tutors in the various elementary schools, with six of the tutors having recently joined.

The next training session for new volunteers will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at the district office, 720 9th St.

Volunteers are also able to choose the number of students they want to work with for the one-on-one hourly sessions, which take place once a week at the school. 

“Although most tutors work with one student, some work with two, and a couple of tutors that have been with us a very long time have up to five students,” Linder said. “Our tutors become mentors to the children. They focus on promoting their motivation, language skills, love of reading and writing and building their vocabulary and background knowledge.”

A library of books, complete with lesson plans, are available for the sessions, which can also focus on experiences of the students. Whatever the subject, volunteers say the sessions can have positive outcomes for the students.

“Their confidence and self esteem increases, because one special person comes each week just for them,” Linder said.

Hardy has seen firsthand the positive effect of tutoring. Although she has just started her second year tutoring at James Dukes, she said she actually began tutoring several years ago.

“I was tutoring, and then was offered the opportunity to become coordinator, and I retired from that a couple of years ago,” Hardy said. “I came back because it means so much to me and the kids.”

“For the student, I believe the tutoring provides a person in their life that not only helps them with their reading, but becomes a mentor, a friend and someone they can trust,” she said.

As a result, she said the students become more talkative, share more during class and have improved self esteem and confidence. 

The tutors also reap the benefits of the relationship.

“You can see it in their eyes, the students and the tutors are excited to see each other,” Hardy said. “As a tutor, we change, because it opens our world a little bit; we gain insight into their world a little bit and it’s a mutual conversation.”

Tutoring sessions typically begin in October and continue for the remainder of the school year. Volunteers are asked to commit to the same day and hour each week, but both the student’s and tutor’s schedules are taken into account. 

No prior teaching experience is required for the program. 

In addition to the training provided, potential tutors can shadow other tutors already involved with the program to see what the sessions entail. Optional enrichment meetings and engagement strategy sessions for the tutors are also provided. 

“It’s probably one of the most rewarding volunteering that I do,” said Hardy. “Not only do the kids grow up and realize adults are good people, it’s like gaining more grandchildren myself. Time you spend with a child is well worth it and is the best time.”

Volunteers are asked to pay the cost of the required LiveScan fingerprinting and attend the required Feb. 4 training.

For more information, call or email OASIS coordinator Melinda Linder at mlinder@ramonausd.net or 760-787-2064.