Literacy of NNY needs tutors

With approximately 20 percent of state residents having inadequate reading skills, the need for literacy tutors in St. Lawrence County is high.

“We need tutors in every area of the county,” Barbara K. “Bobby” Gordon of Literacy of Northern New York said Tuesday. “There are about 50 volunteer tutors working now, but we have more students than tutors. More than I can serve.”

Literacy is a significant local problem, she added, but not in the sense that one might expect.

Tutors are sought for reasons other than just helping those who can’t read or read poorly, Mrs. Gordon said.

“We have people studying for their GEDs and English as a second language students. We have, usually, American-born students with difficulties. The reasons behind the need are not always cut and dried,” she said.

From reading the newspaper to understanding medication, grocery shopping and following directions, “there are so many ways that an inability to read can affect lives,” Mrs. Gordon said. “An inability to read can really handicap a person in so many ways.”

Literacy of Northern New York is based out of Potsdam and helps people from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Training for new tutors begins March 10 in the community meeting room above the Potsdam Police Department on Elm Street, and is to include a five-session course of three-hour Saturday classes. The classes will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 14.

The training helps prospective tutors assist both English-as-a-second-language and basic literacy students, she said.

“I tell my tutors three things. They’re helping someone believe in themselves, they’re building self-confidence and self-respect, and they’re improving skills,” Mrs. Gordon said, noting that recruiting tutors is sometimes easier than prompting struggling readers to get help.

“They aren’t seeking help because they think they’re not capable,” she said. “They’ve had a bad educational experience. They’ve learned to hide it. They don’t want to be exposed to ridicule or the feelings that go along with it. For many, it’s all about seeing improvement which translates to more self-confidence.”

Tutors are encouraged to volunteer about five hours a week following the training.

“We encourage twice a week for an hour or an hour and a half,” she said.

Those interested in volunteering as a literacy tutor can call Mrs. Gordon at 265-0194 or contact her via email at lvastlaw@hotmail.com.