Volunteers /Classroom Aide

Adult Education Classroom Aide

As a classroom aide, you will assist one of our professional instructors at least once each week for a minimum of three months. You will help students develop math, reading, or English language skills. Our classes meet Monday to Thursday in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Classes meet both virtually and in person. Training is provided. Classroom aides must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school credential or higher.

The first step in becoming a volunteer is to watch this 15-minute video about our organization, our students, and what is needed to be a successful volunteer.

After watching the video, you'll next need to complete the volunteer application below. Once we receive your completed application, we will send you a confirmation email with the next steps.

Questions?

If you have any questions along the way, please contact Terra at tteets@literacypittsburgh.org. We can’t wait to meet you!

Classroom Aide Application

Pre-application checklist

Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a classroom aide with Literacy Pittsburgh! We estimate this application will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Before applying, please watch the 15 minute Introduction to Volunteering video on our website. Once you’ve reviewed that information, here are a few important reminders about the requirements and commitments for Literacy Pittsburgh volunteers.

As a Literacy Pittsburgh classroom aide, you will:

Support a reading, writing, and/or math, or English language skills classroom
Complete a free series of trainings prior to volunteering
Commit to working with your class for at least 3 months
Be age 18 or older and possess a high school credential or higher

Our people make Literacy Pittsburgh a welcoming and positive place to learn. We welcome all volunteers who reflect a diversity of culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, past experience with poverty or homelessness, or prior contact with the juvenile, criminal justice, or child welfare systems.

Please note that submitting a volunteer application does not guarantee placement, as all volunteer roles are subject to availability and alignment with the organization’s needs. We reserve the right to make final decisions regarding volunteer assignments and to conduct background checks on all prospective volunteers to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the individuals and communities we serve.

I have watched the Introduction to Volunteering video and understand the commitments above

Contact and Demographic Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Apt. No

City

State

Zip

Email Address

Phone

Phone Type

HomeWorkCell

Best Time to Contact

Preferred Contact:

Phone CallE-MailText

Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY

Gender

MaleFemale

Do you want to share a gender identity (optional)?

Do you want to share pronouns (optional)?

List your preferred pronouns:

Are you Hispanic/Latino?

YesNo

What is your ethnicity

Asian (not Hispanic)	White (Not Hispanic)	Black or African American (not Hispanic)
American Indian/Alaskan Native (not Hispanic)	Multi-Racial (not Hispanic)	Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic)

Literacy Pittsburgh likes to talk about the success of our students and tutors. Do you give Literacy Pittsburgh permission to use your photo, name, or story in print video, online, or social media communications.

Give permissionPrefer not

Education, Work, and Volunteer Experience

Please note that previous tutoring experience is not required to tutor with the Literacy Pittsburgh. Literacy Pittsburgh provides training both before a volunteer is placed and throughout a volunteer’s tenure. The following questions ask about previous tutoring experience so that staff can best support volunteers during their time tutoring with the Literacy Pittsburgh.

Do you have any past tutoring or teaching experience?

YesNo

Please describe your past experience (age of student, location, subject)

Do you have PA teaching certification?

YesNo

Certification Types (check all that apply)

Adult Education certificationK-12 certificationSpecial Education certificationTESOL certification

Highest Education Level

Doctorate	Master	Bachelor
Associate	Technical/Business	High School Diploma
GED	Currently enrolled in college

The PA Dept. of Adult Education requires all volunteers to provide proof of educational credential. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent or higher. A copy of your high school diploma, university degree, OR unofficial transcript (whichever is easiest) is needed prior to being matched with a student or class. You may upload a copy or photo to this form or submit it later.

Please contact Terra at 412-393-7606 if you have any questions about this requirement.

I will send my Degree / Transcript in via mail/in person:

Attach degree / transcript (optional - upload .jpeg .png .pdf or .doc/ .docx files only please)

Employment Status

Full-TimePart-TimeUnemployedRetired

Job Title

Employed By

Special skills/interest/hobbies

Organizations, clubs, groups you belong to

Please take a moment to read over Literacy Pittsburgh's mission, vision, and values.

Mission

Better lives through learning.

Vision

A more inclusive and productive community driven by access to education.

Values

We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to learn in a place where their strengths are celebrated.
We respect all people and their ability to shape their own lives.
We have a duty to earn the trust of everyone we work with.
Our collective well-being depends on welcoming diverse cultures and perspectives.
As a leader, we embrace the responsibility to innovate, model best practices, and grow.

What about these speak to you?

What drew you to volunteer with Literacy Pittsburgh?

How did you hear about Literacy Pittsburgh?

Please specify

Tutor rights and responsibilities

As a Literacy Pittsburgh Classroom Aide, you have the right to:

1. A current, detailed job description outlining requirements for the position.
2. A worthwhile, challenging assignment that matches your interests and availability.
3. Understand the importance of your job as it relates to Literacy Pittsburgh's goals and objectives.
4. Be treated as a co-worker and kept informed of Literacy Pittsburgh activities.
5. Expect opportunities for personal growth and skills development.
6. Receive appropriate orientation, training and supervision by the Manager of Auxiliary Programs.
7. Receive recognition, both formal and informal.
8. Participate in planning and decision-making as related to your assignment.

As a Literacy Pittsburgh Classroom Aide, you have a responsibility to:

1. Support instructors’ teaching to students’ goals.
2. Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the organization.
3. Perform your job in a reliable and conscientious manner.
4. Accept Literacy Pittsburgh 's organizational values and prescribed tutoring techniques.
5. Take advantage of workshops and other professional development opportunities provided by Literacy Pittsburgh
6. Treat students, paid staff and other volunteers with courtesy and respect.
7. Maintain student trust by respecting confidentiality in all situations, even among other volunteers.
8. Participate in planning and decision-making as related to your assignment.
9. Accept advice and supervision from paid staff.
10. Ask for guidance when you are in doubt about any aspect of your position.
11. Respect your workplace. Remember, most of your space is donated.

I have read the tutor rights and responsibilities

Tutoring Preferences

I prefer to support a class that takes place

In personOnlineNo preference

Available to volunteer: (Check all that apply)

Monday Morning	Monday Afternoon	Monday Evening
Tuesday Morning	Tuesday Afternoon	Tuesday Evening
Wednesday Morning	Wednesday Afternoon	Wednesday Evening
Thursday Morning	Thursday Afternoon	Thursday Evening

Keep an eye out for an email from the Manager of Auxiliary Programs with information about beginning training.

Optional Donation:

Your tax-deductible donation underwrites tutor recruitment and support, student assessment and goal setting, books and materials, and other resources to make our programs possible!

Thank you for considering this additional way to support Literacy Pittsburgh’s students.
https://www.literacypittsburgh.org/charitable-donations/

All statements made by me in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge

Thank you for joining us in helping to make Better Lives Through Learning!

About Volunteering Tutor Training Dates

Contact

Terra Teets
Manager, Auxiliary/Support
412-393-7606
EMAIL

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