Whatcom Literacy Council Volunteer Application

Interview Questions

Please complete before your meeting with a Program Coordinator. We will discuss thesequestions in the interview, but it will be helpful if your response is already recorded here.
How do you perceive individuals who have challenges with reading and writing? Why do you think some have not received a proper education?*
What is your perception of people who live in the U.S. who have limited English speaking skills?*
What is your definition of a good teacher?*
Have you taught anything (formally or informally) before?*

YesNo
If yes, please describe.
What was rewarding?
What was frustrating?
What activities do you think might be good to include in a session?*
Are you comfortable using a computer?*

YesNo
Please share your technology related skills.*
Most volunteers work with their learners for more than 9 months or one academic quarter (for classroom placements). How long can you commit to volunteering?*
Do you have any questions and/or further comments about this position?

PRIVACY POLICY

Personal information including date of birth, sex, and legal name will be used to conduct a criminal history background check on each prospective Whatcom Literacy Council volunteer tutor.

A record of whether the background check was satisfactory or not will be noted on the Background Check Release Form.
Sex (Assigned at Birth)*
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear

Program Information

We have various volunteer opportunities, please review the following and select the program(s) you are interested in volunteering with.
1:1 TUTORING

Volunteer tutors are placed with a learner and meet on an individual basis, established with the program coordinator. 1:1 tutors are part of either the Adult Literacy Program (ALP), working with learners who are native English speakers that are functionally illiterate (this can include math or GED tutoring), or as part of the English Language Learner (ELL) Program, working with learners who are learning English.

Tutors and learners generally meet twice a week, and we ask for a 9-month / 1-year commitment.

CLASSROOM TUTORING

We also place volunteers in existing ESL and Adult Basic Education classes at Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College and Goodwill. Volunteers work directly with the teachers of these classes. They sometimes take a small group aside to work with privately or are placed with students who need special attention.

For this position, we ask that volunteers commit for a full academic quarter, which are usually about three months long, for a minimum of once per week.

SMALL GROUP FACILITATION

Some experienced volunteers lead small group classes for the Whatcom Literacy Council, held at local library branches and other locations throughout Whatcom County.
Which Program(s) Are You Interested In?

1:1 TutoringClassroom TutoringSmall Group FacilitationAll of the Above

One-to-One Tutoring Questionnaire

If you think you may be interested in one-to-one tutoring now or in the future, please complete the following.
Which program would you like to be a 1-to-1 tutor?

ALPELL
Do you have any thoughts about a student who is right for you?
What are your expectations of yourself as a tutor?
What are your expectations of a student?
To assist toward a compatible, productive, mutually fulfilling tutoring experience, please add any information you think is relevant such as personality traits, hobbies, etc.

	Yes	No
Convicted of any crime against children or other persons?
Convicted of crimes relating to financial exploitation if the victim was a vulnerable adult;
Convicted of crimes related to drugs as defined in RCW 43.43.830;
Found in any dependency action under RCW 13.34.040 to have sexually assaulted or exploited any minor or to have physically abused any minor;
Found by a court in a domestic relations proceeding under Title 26 RCW to have sexually abused or exploited any minor or to have physically abused any minor;
Found in any disciplinary board final decision to have sexually or physically abused or exploited any minor or developmentally disabled person or to have financially exploited any vulnerable adult;
Found by a court in a protection proceeding under chapter 74.34 RCW, to have abused or financially exploited a vulnerable adult.

Emergency Contact Information