So you want to help?
The “what”
Tutor LAUSD students in 5th and 6th grade from low-income families
Connect on Zoom and help them with Math and English in a 1-on-1, online setting
Volunteer a minimum of 2 hours a week for at least 10 weeks
Schedule when you want to tutor
Prior experience not required but appreciated. We will have an online training course and resources available
The “why”
You can make an impact on a child’s entire educational and life trajectory!
Children who fall behind in their education often never catch up
Children with college-educated mentors are far more likely to go to college themselves
You will gain new perspectives and experience personal growth
Teaching children will develop your leadership, communication, and management skills
You will foster relationships with a community that you may not have previously had the privilege of getting to know
You can spare a couple hours a week to help others and pass on what you have learned
If you have just two hours free each week, you have enough time to tutor with us!
We work together with LAUSD teachers and administrators to find the students who need it most.
All of our students come from low-income families that qualify for free or reduced price meals.
Our tutoring program focuses on real-world STEAM problems. We work with students using Mindsets, an education platform designed for authentic, real-world multi-step problem solving. The activities are fun, engaging, and allow students to integrate academic material into their everyday lives.
We believe in the power of real-world problem solving
Our students are able to receive tutoring that they can use in their every day lives such as basic financial literacy skills:
“Maxine made the difficult choice to leave her job as a news reporter. She quickly found a temporary job at a call center with a lower salary of $30,000 per year. How much will she make per month after taxes? Remember, her tax rate is 33%.”
Systemic inequities in the education system are pervasive.
Many students of color and students growing up in low-income households lack access to learning environments and resources needed to thrive in their academic career. The COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded the issue.
If you want to Step Up… sign up!
+ What are the responsibilities?
- Conduct lessons online (at least two sessions a week, 45 minutes each)
- Manage scheduling with the student's family
- Commit to a semester/grading period
- Provide feedback to Step Up Tutoring, parents, and teachers
- Monitor student’s academic progress and engagement
+ What are the tutor requirements?
- Bachelors Degree (or in progress)
- 18 years or older
- Proficient on Zoom, Google Suite, and general computer navigation
- Organized, energetic, and committed
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Solid internet access
- Fingerprinting background check
- Enjoy working with kids!
+ What will I have to do before starting?
- Fill out the application (...and get accepted)
- Note: you will be asked to submit a 30 second video submission
- Get a Livescan at the nearest station or notary
- Complete our training workbook (will take a 2-3 hours)
- Attend an hour long, live session (online) with one of our coaches
+ Where can I volunteer from?
- As long as you live in the United States, you are eligible to tutor (all training and tutoring sessions will be done online)
+ Will I get paid?
- This is a volunteer opportunity, so tutors will only be paid in gratification and experience :)
- That said, we do offer a referral program that pays to recruit other tutors— $150 dollars for every 6 tutors you successfully recruit
+ Why should I sign up now...during a pandemic?
- COVID-19 has had a CATASTROPHIC impact on the education of students from low-income backgrounds
- 40% recieved no instruction in the Spring
- More than 75% are not meeting basic requirements for Math and English
- The schools our students attend will remain remote for the foreseeable future
- If you want more stats on the effects of COVID-19 on children's education, read this article
- You may have a bit more free time
- You don't need to leave the house and risk exposing yourself
- You will have a chance to socialize and meet kids, parents, and other tutors
+ How will I actually make a difference in their lives?
- Students are not getting the socialization needed for a healthy and successful life...You may be the only person outside of their family they talk to
- Studies show that good habits and good grades in elementary school have lasting effects in life outcomes
- Elementary and Middle School students with straight-A's grew up to earn an average of nearly $11,000 more per year
- Student who consistently turned in work in elementary school were twice as likely to get a post-graduate degree
- Students with academic mentors were twice as likely to attend college
- Data shows that 1-on-1 tutoring (for two one-hour sessions a week) can have a substantial impact on students’ learning and confidence
+ How will I personally benefit from this program?
- You will get a seat at the table during a monumental turning point in education
- You will strengthen your leadership skills
- You will gain a network of bright, interesting community leaders
- You will be given the chance to give back and improve a child's life
Still have a question? Fill out our contact form.
Make the difference
Our application takes less than 10 minutes!