1. Seattle Central Home Page
  2. Programs
  3. Basic & Transitional Studies
  4. Volunteer Tutoring Program
  5. For Faculty

For Faculty

Please connect with the tutoring coordinator (drew.gamboa@seattlecolleges.edu) for any inquiries about need for volunteers or resources for students to utilize during their time in your class and at the Basic and Transitional Studies Division. The roles volunteers have played in the past are below. This is not a limited list of roles that volunteers could practice. The Tutoring Program welcomes thoughts from faculty with thoughts, concerns, and questions about how to elevate the program to ensure meaningful experiences at Seattle Central for students.

Tutor

Tutors provide one-on-one assistance to a student who is learning English or preparing for the GED or college placement testing. Tutors help students understand basic reading, writing, grammatical, or math concepts and provide opportunities to practice the skills they are learning in class. Tutors work with students to develop activities that are relevant to the students’ needs and goals. Tutors generally meet with a student twice a week.

Talk Time Facilitator

Talk Time is meant to create informal spaces for ESL students to practice conversational skills outside their classes and build senses of belonging at Seattle Central. Talk time with volunteers currently occurs three days each week:

  • Mondays, 10 to 11 a.m. (PST)
  • Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. (PST)
  • Fridays, 6 to 7 p.m. (PST)

Computer Skill Tutor

We also offer computer support on a drop-in basis. This is designed for students to drop by for a quick lesson on a specific computer skill that they need for class, i.e., how to share their screen on Zoom, how to upload a file in CANVAS, etc. These drop-in sessions will be conducted on Zoom.

Classroom Assistant

Classroom Assistants work with classroom teachers in ESL and ABE classes. Classes may focus on basic reading/writing, speaking/listening, computer skills, math, or communications. Classroom assistants provide extra help to students during class time. We place volunteers in classes based on the needs of the division as well as the interests and needs of the volunteer. We prefer candidates with previous teaching or tutoring experience but can be flexible depending on your skills and interests. Ultimately, classroom assistants work out their schedule and role with the teacher that they are partnered with.