General Education Development (GED)
People Educating People (PEP) Volunteers
Find your cause..Make a difference.
Become a classroom tutor.People Educating People (PEP) Volunteers
What is the People Educating People Volunteer program?
People Educating People (PEP) is the volunteer component of the Adult Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) department at College of DuPage. PEP has been supporting adult learners since 1982.What is PEP's mission?
To equip adult students with confidence and skills necessary for success in daily life.What types of volunteer opportunities do you offer?
PEP volunteers primarily assist instructors as classroom tutors. PEP tutors work with adult students one-to-one and in groups (typically two to ten students) in the following classes: reading, writing and basic math for persons without a high school diploma and beginning ESL. Some experienced PEP volunteers tutor adults one-to-one, independent of a class.
Persons who prefer to volunteer on an occasional basis are also welcome. PEP volunteers assist new students with the testing and registration process prior to each semester. They direct students to classes when the semester starts. Skilled volunteers help with special activities, such as filing, mailings, word processing, data entry, video taping, writing a feature story, publicity and event planning.What are you looking for in a tutor?
Classroom tutors must be friendly, enthusiastic, patient and encouraging. They show respect, acceptance and tact. Their role demands flexibility, punctuality and dependability. These volunteers must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. A solid command of spoken and written English is required. Bilingual skills are not required. A desire and aptitude for helping others learn are essential for all PEP tutors.Where are the classes held?
ESL classes meet at various sites in communities throughout DuPage County, including Addison, Aurora, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Wood Dale and Woodridge. Reading and/or math classes meet in Bloomingdale, Glen Ellyn, Hanover Park, Naperville, Westmont and Wheaton.When do classes meet?
Classes meet one to four days per week for two or three hours. Most classes take place Monday to Thursday in the morning or evening. A few classes meet on weekends.What time commitment is involved?
Classroom tutors commit to one class session per week for a minimum of one semester. Other volunteers work as little as once per semster. PEP matches your interests and availability with the program's current needs.What training is necessary?
PEP requires that all volunteer classroom tutors complete a
twelve-and-a-half-hour training series prior to working in the program. Training includes the following topics: PEP orientation, the adult learner, cultural differences, learning/teaching styles, instructional techniques, assessment, materials, resources and lesson planning.
PEP occasionally waives training if the applicant provides current documentation verifying the completion of an equivalent literacy volunteer training program that satisfies PEP training requirements. Volunteers for whom training has been waived will meet with the coordinator for an orientation to the program before starting.
Volunteers assisting in non-tutoring capacities receive on-the-job training unless special skills are needed.When will you offer tutor training?
PEP will conduct a two-day training series for volunteer classroom tutors at the Glen Ellyn campus this fall:
Fall 2009 Pre-Service Training Institute
Part One: Saturday, November 7 – 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Part Two: Saturday, November 14– 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The deadline to apply is October 12.Following the fall sessions, the next training series will be offered on July 24 and 31, 2010.
When do volunteers begin tutoring?
Classroom tutors trained in the fall will begin in the spring semester, January 14 to May 14, 2010. Classroom tutors trained next summer will begin in the fall semester, August 23 to December 17, 2010.
What do volunteers say about their experiences?
"Rewarding, something to look forward to. A lot of fun, with two-way learning. Awesome!""Seeing my students improve week to week is gratifying. Their appreciation and hard work is positive feedback."
"These students are incredible! I'm grateful to have a small part in helping these wonderful, determined, generous people."
"My experience was both gratifying and pleasurable."
"I'm happy with the decision I made to volunteer my time for this program. The students are wonderful. Very rewarding."
How can I get more information?
Contact PEP coordinator Joan Morris at (630) 942-3788 or
e-mail: morrisjo@cod.edu.
Office Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Address:
College of DuPage
OCC 131F
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599
PEP Office
Joan Morris
Volunteer Coordinator
Location
Open Campus
Center (OCC)
Room 131F
Office Hours
Mondays to Thursdays:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays:
8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
morrisjo@cod.edu
Phone
(630) 942-3788
