After-school reading tutor at Lent Elementary
Work one-on-one with 2nd and 3rd graders on reading fluency at Lent Elementary in SE Portland. One hour per week, Tuesday or Thursday afternoons.
Why we picked this
One hour a week with the same kid builds something most one-time programs can't — trust. The school's program coordinator does a real match between tutor and student so you're not just filling a seat.
It Takes a Village PDX partners with Lent K-8 to place volunteer reading tutors with second and third graders who are reading below grade level. You meet with the same student once a week for 45-60 minutes, following a simple structured routine the program provides — it involves reading aloud together, some light phonics practice, and a short comprehension game. No teaching experience is required. The coordinator trains you in one session before you start.
The program runs the full school year, so this is a genuine ongoing commitment. Volunteers who sign up in March work through June and are invited to continue in the fall if they choose. The school provides all materials and a dedicated tutor workspace. You’ll check in with the program coordinator every few weeks, and they’re available by text if anything unexpected comes up during a session.
A background check is required through the Portland Public Schools volunteer system — it takes about a week to process and the program coordinator walks you through it. If Tuesdays and Thursdays don’t work, It Takes a Village PDX has tutoring placements at a handful of other SE Portland schools with different days and times.