A child’s life is changed when he/she begins to acquire the literacy skills of reading, writing, and spelling and to feel confident in the classroom.
Augustine Literacy Project® provides each tutor in-depth training using the Orton-Gillingham approach, and research-based reading materials from a variety of sources, including the Wilson Reading System®. Orton-Gillingham is systematic, multisensory, structured, and phonetic. The curriculum is highly effective in teaching children who struggle with literacy skills as a result of learning differences, poverty, or English Language Learners (ELL).
Upon satisfactory completion of Augustine training, each tutor is paired with a child and commits to work with her/him pro bono for a full semester or until the conclusion of the academic year (late May/early June). Tutors may opt to continue their work with a child over the summer and into the next academic year, as needed. Tutors usually meet with their students at the child's school twice a week, but in some cases may tutor online or at another public facility, e.g. local library or community center. An Augustine lesson is 30-45 minutes long. Comprehensive pre- and post- testing in phonemic awareness, phonics, word attack, spelling, and fluency, and comprehension is administered to evaluate student progress.
Tutor training sessions are offered throughout each year. The estimated cost of training exceeds $700 per volunteer. However, because of the commitment a tutor makes to stay with a child for the academic year, our fee is currently being waived and training is FREE. All trained tutors have access to extensive tutor support for the duration of their service.
Currently available placement locations:
Eno Valley Elementary School
Ephesus Elementary School in Chapel Hill (online only until Mar. 2022)
Hope Valley Elementary School in Durham
Ignite! Online Academy (tutoring DPS students remotely)
Kate’s Korner Childcare Center in downtown Durham (in-person)
Kestrel Heights Charter School (starting in February 2022 after school)
Seawell Elementary in Chapel Hill
Augustine tutors' lives are changed when their students see the light of understanding, the "aha" moment that happens for a child who has been struggling with reading aloud or who has been experiencing daily failures.
Note: If you are interested in tutoring at any of these partner schools, please email helen.mangum.alp@gmail.com
