Tutoring + Mentoring

Tutor/Mentors

Students Supported

Hours of student support

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In-Class Support

Tutoring and mentoring is the largest and longest running program at Inspiring Minds. See our program goals here. Our tutors/mentors are primarily volunteers who work as in-class support for Providence students in grades Pre-K through 5 who teachers identify would benefit from additional supportive adults to further their academic success. Tutor/mentors are matched with consistent small groups of 1- 4 students to develop a trusting relationship and to engage in structured activities-classwork or personalized lessons developed by the students’ teachers. Volunteers work with students for a minimum of one hour per week during the school year.

In order to make greater gains with students academically, mentoring students is of high importance. Volunteers cultivate caring and trusting relationships to provide students with reassurance and boost their academic achievement.

FOR FAMILIES

If you are a parent with a child in one of our programs, please fill out a Parent Consent Form. If you are completing a hard copy, please scan and email the document to inspire@inspiringmindsri.org or mail it to our office address.

Online Parent Consent Form

FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to become involved in our Tutoring and Mentoring Program, please click the “Volunteer” button.

Volunteer

FOR EDUCATORS / SCHOOLS

If you are a teacher at one of our partner schools, requesting in-class tutoring and mentoring support is easy! Complete a Volunteer Request Form and our team will be in touch.

If you are a Providence Public School interested in partnering with Inspiring Minds, please contact us here!

Program Goals

To foster academic achievement by:

Offer personalized tutoring and mentoring services to align to students needs as recommended by the classroom teacher. Our focus is to engage and maintain or exceed reading and math skills.

Tutoring and Mentoring sessions are scheduled 1:1 or in small groups of 1:4. This helps volunteers personalize each session and build an authentic relationship.

Maintain a consistent year round schedule to help students develop personalized organizational and time management skills.

Use data to support students to self-evaluate their progress and develop confidence.

To increase student engagement in the learning process by encouraging students to think about:

Their own learning and thinking processes and challenge them to articulate the way they have gone about learning.

What their next steps might be and how they are going to proceed with those next steps?

How they are going to know they have achieved success?

Whether or not the method of learning was effective?

What they need more help to understand and how they might better achieve understanding?

We prioritize service to diverse student populations, reducing barriers for student success by responding to their unique learning needs:

Maintain a group size of 1:1 or 1:4 by matching caring adults from their community within a structured relationship.

Enhancing safe and supportive schools through consistency and personalization.

Work alongside classroom teachers to ensure volunteers are working off class lessons, projects, or reading passengers.

Have You Heard…

This session made me feel so good! I couldn’t stop smiling when a student told me “ I finally did it on my own!” It was a huge achievement because I notice they have gotten super comfortable with me next to them, guiding them through the problems and watching them do it. However as I walk away, when I come back, they’re on the same problem. So I stay next to them but I try to limit my feedback at times so they get that feeling that they’re doing it on their own. They like having support, after a few times, I walk away and Finally, they solved a couple alone!! They were happy to tell me and this makes me glad because during tests and exams, they can’t be guided.

Today I helped students with their newly introduced project and materials. They learned about Fabric art/Textile art. I walked around the classroom talking to students and helping in the classroom. I see progress in their use of materials and imagination as they use the newly introduced materials. Students are using critical thinking skills to solve difficulties so that they can achieve their idea.

I have to say these two volunteers… are amazing and will be wonderful teachers! They are so helpful and work with their small group every time. Always willing to help thank you for placing them in my classroom

The workshop was wonderful and packed with useful information. It really helped with all the questions one may have in having a proper departure from a school.

The support provided by the in school tutoring and mentoring program has been wonderful. My students look forward to her arrival each week. She has been so helpful in supporting the students individual needs both academically and behaviorally.

My volunteer’s support during math groups helped students build confidence and stay engaged. Several students made noticeable progress because they received immediate guidance and individual attention.

This experience is definitely very unique and it will be something that I will remember with such happiness.

It inspired me because working one on one with a student really makes you feel like you made a difference. I created strategies for her to try to keep her focused on the tasks but also let her move a bit in the process.

I think this session made my students feel encouraged, better equipped to read, and seek information for writing on their own.

I notice that students in between learning like to share details about themselves, I’ll try to balance a time where we can speak freely and then be able to flow right back into work. I always feel bad having to redirect them when they get immersed in what they want to tell me.