Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Why Do Students & Tutors Choose TLP?
Because we are experienced teachers and trained volunteers who have partnered with well over one thousand local adults to help them achieve important literacy and language related goals with amazing success. With help from their tutors and teachers, TLP graduates improve their reading, writing, math, and English language skills in order to earn high school diplomas, become U.S. Citizens, get jobs and promotions, become first time homebuyers, and start small businesses. What’s more, we and our students have been doing this important work in Tompkins County since 1976!
How Do Volunteers Help?
Volunteer tutors attend training provided by Tompkins Learning Partners, Literacy New York, and other approved literacy organizations. This helps them prepare to work with adult learners and individualize and adapt instruction to their students’ personal goals.
Program Coordinators carefully partner volunteers with adult learners on a one-to-one or small group basis. Coordinators consider tutors’ strengths and interests, students’ goals and preferences, schedules, and many other factors so that both students and tutors are successful.
Tutors support students by preparing meaningful lessons and materials, monitoring and reporting progress, listening and learning from their learning partners, providing feedback, and celebrating achievements.
How Do Tutoring Sessions Work?
Meetings usually happen once or twice per week for 2 hours per tutoring session. Students and tutors study at our downtown office, local libraries, or at other public locations. Many learners appreciate that tutoring is scheduled at mutually agreeable times, including days, evenings and/or weekends. Some have been unable to attend daily classes elsewhere due to their work schedules or because of childcare or transportation issues. Our flexibility ensures they have access to the tutoring they need to improve their skills.
Sometimes, students who attend other classes come to us for extra help. They appreciate that our volunteer tutors are there just for them, with two hours of learning directed to their needs, their interests, and their learning levels.
What Else Does Tompkins Learning Partners Do?
Most people are not aware of how much case management work gets done at TLP on a daily basis. Many times, students ask for help with reading and understanding their mail. Others need help filling out forms, making appointments, or navigating phone menus. Some students need referrals to community partners for transportation, housing, health, or other needs. We provide this support utilizing a problem solving approach so that students are more likely to attend tutoring sessions with regularity. Case management also ensures that students are better prepared to learn. Together with the skills they improve during tutoring sessions, TLP students grow their confidence and independence for navigating the resources they need to bridge barriers.
How Can I Support TLP?
There are many ways to support Tompkins Learning Partners including becoming a volunteer tutor, volunteering for our board, or helping with special events like the Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition, which benefits TLP. For more information, call 607-277-6442 or email AdminAssist@TLPartners.org.
You can make an investment in the lives of community members by supporting the adult literacy education work of Tompkins Learning Partners at www.tlpartners.org/donate/. Thank you!