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 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 small groups (two to ten students) in the following classes: Adult ESL, ESL Family Literacy, ESL for Citizenship, basic math in English or Spanish, and reading for persons without a high school diploma. A small number of experienced PEP volunteers tutor adults one-to-one, independent of a scheduled class.
Persons who prefer to volunteer on an occasional basis are also welcome at PEP. These valuable volunteers assist new students with the testing and registration process prior to the semester. Others direct students to classes when the semester starts. Skilled volunteers may be needed for special activities, such as translating, interpreting, computer work, filing 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. A desire and aptitude for helping others learn is essential. Volunteers must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. A solid command of spoken and written English is required. Only those assisting in Spanish basic math classes need bilingual skills.Where are the classes held?
Classes meet at various sites in communities throughout DuPage County, including Addison, Aurora, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lombard, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Wood Dale and Woodridge.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 a minimum of once a week in class for two to three hours for one college 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
12 and one-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 waves training if the applicant can provide 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?
When do volunteers begin tutoring?
PEP will conduct a two-day training series for volunteer classroom tutors at the Glen Ellyn campus this fall:
Fall Training Series
Part One: Saturday, Nov. 8 - 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Part Two: Saturday, Nov. 15 - 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 24.
Following the fall sessions, the next training series will be offered in July 2009.
Classroom tutors trained in the fall begin in the spring semester (mid-January to mid-May). Classroom tutors trained in the fall begin in the spring semester (mid-January to mid-May). Classroom tutors trained in the summer begin in the fall semester (late August to mid-December).
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 volutneer my time for this program. The students are wonderful. Very rewarding."
How can I get more information?
Contact PEP coordinator Joan Morris, (630) 942-3788, 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
Coordinator
morrisjo@cod.edu
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.
PEP Phone
(630) 942-3788
