Math Tutors for Adult Learners Needed! Basic Skills to Geometry (No Experience Needed)

Hello, and thank you for your interest!

Do you love showing people how math applies to everyday life and work? Are you patient, non-judgmental, and able to break down bigger concepts into smaller, more digestible parts or steps? If yes, then becoming a Math tutor in our adult literacy program may be a good fit for you!

No previous formal tutoring/teaching experience needed; program orientation and general tutor training provided. Tutors should already be confident in their own math skills and ability to explain concepts or at least confident in reviewing concepts on their own as needed. Instructional materials, including workbooks and manipulatives, are provided for free. Workbooks are created for adults and include teacher's guides and/or answer keys.

This opportunity is available in-person only at this time (in Sacramento County), at any of Sacramento Public Library's 28 locations. However, at this time we are in particular need of tutors for the following areas: Natomas, Arden-Arcade, South Sacramento (Southgate), and Elk Grove/Valley-Hi.

Please note: Due to the time it takes to complete training and to find a learner who is a good match, this is not a quick-start opportunity, and we generally ask for a 6-month minimum commitment, unless a learner is able to meet their goal more quickly, such as passing an exam.

Learner goals may include things like improving math for work, such as for cashier functions, or a career training exam such as for an electrician apprenticeship, or to pass the GED/HiSET Math exam. Tutors should be willing and comfortable explaining foundational concepts up through Geometry.

Expectations Check

Skill Level: Most of our adult learners enter the program needing to review or solidify some basic math skills such as division and, especially, fractions.

Homework: Expectations for adult learners doing practice work (homework) in between sessions should not be what you might expect from a K-12 or college student. While extra practice is definitely important, generally these expectations should be lower to start with while learning about your tutee and developing trust, setting them up for a positive, successful experience.

Teaching or tutoring experience and academic knowledge, while valuable, will not necessarily go far in this program if the adult learner isn't comfortable, feels judged, or not respected and, thus, stops attending sessions. Therefore, our program is designed to be learner-centered, not teacher-centered. Since many adult learners in this program have had negative school experiences, even educational trauma, the most important skill or ability for this program is to be able to establish a positive rapport and trust with an adult learner from the first meeting.

Scheduling/Location:

• 1-2 times weekly
• 1-2 hours per session (average is 1.5)
• Any of our 28 branches (depending on current learner needs), or other public place https://www.saclibrary.org/Locations
• Current areas in need: Natomas in particular; also Arden-Arcade-Carmichael, Colonial Heights, Elk Grove-Valley Hi.

Training and materials are all provided free of charge to both tutors and learners.

Pre-service training and orientation is required before beginning tutoring; ongoing support is provided through tutor meetings and workshops as well as digital, self-study resources.

We look forward to hearing from you!