The Montcalm Area Reading Council (MARC) was awarded a grant recently to help our tutors. The $3,585 grant will be used to pay for tutor training and the newly established tutor mentor position.
“We are beyond thrilled at this opportunity,” said MARC Executive Director Amanda Lee. “This is the first time MARC has gotten such an award from ProLiteracy. We are very thankful to them for this grant.”
In 2002, Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, two of the world’s oldest and largest adult literacy organizations, merged to create ProLiteracy. The merger created more educational opportunities for adult learners through an expanded network and new international initiatives.
The grant will be used for two items. Current tutors will undergo virtual tutor training provided by Washtenaw Literacy in late September. The training will focus on: case studies or to use the local learner as a case study, word study ideas, reading comprehension, how to assess learner’s goals, lesson plan formation and two different types of self-evaluation on tutor performance.
“I am so excited for this training,” Lee said. “It is really going to take our tutor training up a notch.”
Besides the virtual tutor training, MARC will also be introducing the tutor mentor position. This is also funded by the grant from ProLiteracy. The tutor mentor will be reaching out to current tutors to assist them with their volunteering. The tutor mentor will also help train new volunteers.
Sally Spry of Belding is stepping into that role.
“This is a gamechanger for MARC,” Lee said. “Our tutors are going to receive even better training and support now. The heart of our organization is our volunteers. Sally is a great person with years of experience teaching.”
MARC is currently looking for new tutors. If you would like to volunteer call (6160 824-2408 or email marchelpsu@gmail.com