Featured Mentoring & Tutoring Program:
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)

STAIR tutors work one-on-one with students during the entire school year. Each tutor is asked to commit to a weekly tutoring schedule of one or two afternoons (3-5 PM) or on Saturday mornings (9-12 Noon). STAIR provides tutors with training workshops, on-site visits, continuing education, written materials and individual assistance, as well as professional supervision at all times. STAIR also arranges comfortable, well-lit spaces that make tutoring a pleasure and a written curriculum for the use of the tutor and child. Tutors and children read together, play word games, practice phonics, and write stories.

STAIR tutors are a diverse group and range in age from 16 to 80! Some are retirees and others are active professionals, including teachers, professors, newspaper reporters, librarians, construction contractors, musicians, attorneys, realtors, ministers, financial and investment counselors. They are members of the military, government workers, service-learning and work study students from local universities and high schools. No experience is necessary to be a STAIR tutor!

STAIR’s program serves 1st-3rd grade public elementary school students from participating schools in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. Twice a year, in the fall and in the early spring, STAIR recruits new tutors for its training sessions using e-newsletters, print PSAs, posted flyers, and tutor word-of-mouth, etc.

Quotable Notes from Tutors

“My favorite part of working with STAIR was listening to the stories my student would tell me about what he dreamed of becoming when he grows up.”
—JOE, retired teacher

“I started reading a book to him and he said, ‘Can I read the whole book myself today?’ Great moment.”
—ALICE, attorney

“She reads faster and makes fewer mistakes. I get excited seeing her do so well.”
—PATRICE, musician

“I like that STAIR assigns a student to a tutor for the whole year. It allows for a trust to be built.”
—AUSTIN, Tulane student

“The best part of working with STAIR is connecting with the children. It is rewarding to watch them succeed and to learn more about them throughout the year.”
—BETTY, realtor