Volunteer with AEL

One of the more rewarding programs we offer is the Volunteer Classroom Assistant program. East Central College Adult Education and Literacy has partnered with two area literacy councils to recruit and train volunteers. Gateway Y-Literacy helps in Franklin and Gasconade Counties. The East Central Area Literacy Council helps in Phelps, Franklin, Gasconade, Crawford, Osage, and Maries Counties. Volunteers work in many areas including high school equivalency preparation, literacy (basic reading and writing skills), and English language acquisition. The volunteers work one-on-one or with small groups. The time required is once per week for a few hours though some do volunteer several days or evenings a week. Volunteer training is required before an assistant is placed in a class.

AEL classes use classroom assistants depending on classroom needs.

Volunteer Roles

• Literacy: Assist students who test below the sixth-grade level in reading and writing. Training is provided for working with students of varying levels and needs.
• High School Equivalency: Help students needing extra assistance, often in small groups, in areas like fractions or punctuation.
• English Language Acquisition: Lead conversation groups or teach reading, writing, and grammar, particularly for beginners.
• Citizenship Preparation: Support students preparing for citizenship interviews, with additional training on the naturalization process.

Commitment and Training

Volunteers in the AEL program are expected to commit to 2-3 hours per week. Before being placed in a classroom, volunteers must attend a training session and undergo a background check. This preparation ensures that volunteers are well-equipped to provide effective support and meet the needs of adult learners in various educational areas.

Locations

Our class sites are spread across several communities, including Cuba, Montgomery City, Owensville, Rolla, St. Clair, Sullivan, Union, and Washington. Additionally, there are opportunities for one-on-one tutoring in community libraries, providing flexibility and convenience for volunteers.

Get Involved

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor with the East Central Area Literacy Council, please call Jessica Horn at 636-584-6915 or call 844-322-4235. You can also send an email with the following information to volunteer@ecaliteracy.org.