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Volunteer Tutor Application 2023-2024
Thank you for choosing Bright Minds! We look forward to hearing from you
First Name
(Required)
Last Name
(Required)
Email
(Required)
please use an email you check regularly
Phone Number
(Required)
Bright Minds is a free one-to-one tutoring and mentoring program for students in Chicago.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Tutoring Chicago will offer both in-person and digital tutoring options to our tutors/students. Within this application you will have an opportunity to tell us more about your needs and preferences. Our staff will do our best to accommodate these preferences but in some cases we may not be able to accommodate all preferences due to limited capacity.
Have you been a volunteer with Bright Minds in the past?
Yes
No
Who was your Program Counselor during the 2022-2023 program year?
Select
Kayla
Esther
Reggie
Unsure
How many years have you volunteered with Bright Minds?
Select
1, I started tutoring last school year
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
First Name
Last Name
(Required)
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Email
(Required)
please use an email you check regularly
Phone Number
(Required)
Gender Identity
(Required)
Please Select
Female/Woman
Male/Man
Non-binary/third gender
Prefer to self-describe
Prefer not to say
Pronoun
(Required)
Please select…
He/Him/His
She/Her/Hers
They/Them/Theirs
Other
Race/Ethnicity
(Required)
Asian/Asian American
Black or African American
Hispanic/Latinx
White
Other
Choose any/all that apply
Do you speak Spanish?
(Required)
Please select…
Yes
No
Highest level of education
(Required)
Please select…
High School/GED/HISET
Current Undergraduate
Associates degree
Bachelors degree
Masters degree
Doctoral degree
Law degree
Current High School
None of the above
If yes, do you feel comfortable communicating with your student’s parent 100% in Spanish and/or reading a student’s homework that is entirely written in Spanish and supporting them with completing it?
(Required)
Please select…
Yes
No
Employer/Company
(Required)
If enrolled as a student, name the institution, if you are retired, write “retired”
Job Title
(Required)
If you are enrolled as a student, type “STUDENT”, if you are retired, write “retired”
Address
(Required)
Street Address
Apt/Unit #
City
State
ZIP / Postal Code
How did you originally hear about Bright Minds?
(Required)
Please select…
Family/Friend/ Current Volunteer or Staff Member
Job/Co-Worker
Volunteer Recruitment Platform
Internet Search
Community Event
Social Media
TV/Radio
Other…
Name of Volunteer/Staff
Emergency Contact
Emergency Contact Name
(Required)
Emergency Contact Phone Number
(Required)
Relationship to you
(Required)
Please select…
Spouse
Significant Other
Parent
Sibling
Friend
Other
Where/when would you like to volunteer?
Program Tutoring Chicago has four programs. The SMART program for 1st through 5th graders focuses on five areas of student achievement: Social Emotional Learning, Mathematics, Accountability, Reading, and Technology. Within the context of building trusting relationships with our volunteers, students focus on homework review, executive functioning skills, and developmental experiences that combine learning and reflection. SMART tutoring is offered both in person and digitally Monday through Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm at our in-person locations and digitally via Zoom. The Literacy Intensive Tutoring (LIT) program for 1st through 5th graders provides literacy intervention for individual students. The program is designed for struggling readers as determined by assessments and parent/teacher feedback to help students effectively close the literacy gap and reach their full potential. Students receive one-to-one, customized reading intervention each week with high quality resources and learning tools, including leveled readers, phonics development, sight word recognition, reading novels to develop comprehension, and creative writing. LIT tutoring is offered both in person and digitally Monday through Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm at our in-person locations and digitally via Zoom. The Middle School Tutoring (MST) program serves 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The curriculum focuses on an array of learning needs, preparing students for a transition into high school and continued success in their educational experiences. The curriculum emphasizes social emotional learning, executive functioning skills, academic coursework across the four core subjects (English, Math, Social Studies, & Science), and high school readiness, including test prep and career exploration. MST is offered both in person and digitally Monday through Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm at our in-person locations and digitally via Zoom. The High School Tutoring (HST) program provides 9th-10th grade students with one-to-one tutoring and mentoring in areas essential for success in secondary education. The curriculum covers executive functioning, organizational skills, and preparation for beyond high school. This includes support for academic course success, taking advantage of high school resources, reflection surrounding college and/or career readiness, as well as overall self-management and social awareness skills. High School tutoring is offered both in person and digitally Monday through Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm at our in-person locations and digitally via Zoom. In order to participate as a tutor in the High School program, volunteers should be prepared to assist students in the following areas: Basic academic support (with resources that can be provided by Tutoring Chicago) for subject specific reading/writing, pre-algebra or algebra, and outreach to subject area teachers Mentoring and leadership advice that is professional, related to both academic and personal goals (athletics, college/careers, extracurricular activities, etc.) Assessing needs and directing students to support systems (such as high school counselors, teachers, etc.) Organization and time management strategies.
Consent
(Required)
I have read and understand the basic details of Bright Minds' programs:
Within the following section you will have an opportunity to tell us more about your needs and preferences. Our staff will do our best to accommodate these preferences but in some cases we may not be able to accommodate all preferences due to limited capacity.
What grade levels do you prefer?
(Required)
1st-3rd
4th-5th
6th-8th
9th-10th
Do you agree to meet at the Bright Mind's facility
(Required)
Yes
No
Which program do you prefer?
(Required)
Trailblazers Mentoring (1st-8th grade)
Tutoring Assistance (1st-10th grade)
if you have a strong preference, please pick one only.
Check include your availability
(Required)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Select All
Flexibility is encouraged where possible. Please note: Mentors are required to meet 2-4 times a month.
Are you interested in working with the same student you worked with last year?
This is my first year
Yes
No
Name of Student
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Please describe any experience you have working with students in grade 1-10?
(Required)
Do you have experience working with children with special needs (students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, autism, etc.) and/or helping students academically with accommodations?
(Required)
Yes
No
Are you comfortable working with a student with special needs?
(Required)
Yes
No
Unsure
If yes, please describe your experience, including any expertise you have in the area of supporting students with learning differences.
(Required)
RELEASES
Permission I understand that Bright Minds is offering both mentoring and tutoring opportunities during the current school year. I understand that Bright Minds will do its best to accommodate my student preferences but may not be able to in all cases. I understand that I will be expected to connect with my student on time when matched.
Consent
(Required)
I recognize that Bright Minds will provide a schedule, guidance, resources, and best practices for these sessions. I understand that it is my responsibility as a volunteer to communicate with my student’s parent/guardian to facilitate any digital contact between myself and my student.
Volunteer Attendance
(Required)
Consistency and reliability are key to a successful volunteer experience. Excessive absences and/or a deteriorating commitment on the part of the volunteer can impact a child in a manner adverse to the goals and mission of Bright Minds. As a volunteer, I understand that I am responsible for notifying the program manager in the case of an absence. I understand that a consistent pattern of absences may result in my dismissal from the program.
Volunteer Training
(Required)
I understand that I must complete a mandatory orientation before being assigned to a student. I understand that in addition to this initial orientation, I am required to complete a minimum amount of training modules before I begin sessions with my student and that periodically I will be asked to complete additional training modules as instructed by Bright Minds staff.
Contact Information
(Required)
Bright Minds uses email addresses and phone numbers provided by volunteers to send weekly reminders, monthly newsletters, and other program announcements. Active volunteers are expected to remain subscribed to emails and read the content. Bright Minds shares volunteers’ email addresses with parents and teachers, as requested, to help create a dialogue and support the students. We do not share your information with any other groups unless specifically related to tutoring or mentoring (e.g. volunteers in your classroom or partner volunteers).
Health and Safety
(Required)
I agree to comply with any health and safety policies and procedures put in place by Bright Minds or our partner facilities. I understand that Bright Minds will make these policies known and available in the Volunteer Handbook and in ongoing communication updates that will be sent to me. I understand that Bright Minds will continue to monitor and assess safety risks and follow the guidance of our in-person facilities as well as local health officials.
Consent
(Required)
I agree to inform my program manager if I am not feeling well and refrain from session meetings. I agree to follow all local protocols related to social distancing and quarantine should I test positive for Covid-19 or any other illness.
Media Release I permit Bright Minds to use any photographs, video footage, or media statements that feature me when taken or created in connection with the program for any type of branding, publicity, or fundraising without requiring further approval. I understand that Bright Minds may publicize my first name and initial of my last name, but will not include my full last name or any other identifying information without advanced approval.
I understand and agree to the media release
I understand and DO NOT agree to the media release
Background Check
(Required)
I hereby give BRIGHT MINDS my consent to review criminal or public records for any record of arrest or conviction concerning offenses that may impact my eligibility to volunteer. I understand that all volunteers must complete and submit a background check form on an annual basis. Note: New tutors will be sent a request to submit a background check for Bright Minds via Sterling Volunteers after completing orientation.
Off-site Contact
(Required)
Bright Minds neither encourages nor endorses independent contact and activities between students and volunteers that are in-person and off-site. If parents/guardians wish for their student to meet with you outside of the boundaries of Bright Minds, both parties may agree and consent to doing so, but this arrangement is strictly between the parent/guardian and volunteer. If such relationships and/or activities are to take place independent of a tutoring/mentoring session, Bright Minds is not responsible for accidents and/or incidents arising from such events.
Volunteer Handbook
(Required)
Volunteers agree to review the Volunteer Handbook prior to the start of each program year. I agree to adhere to all policies and procedures within this handbook. I understand that Bright Minds updates this handbook on an annual basis.
Review Volunteer Mentoring Handbook Here.
Review Volunteer Tutoring Handbook Here.
Claims
(Required)
In consideration of being permitted to participate, I do hereby waive and release BRIGHT MINDS and all affiliates, directors, employees, and volunteers from any and all claims of injuries, including death, property damage or loss, which may occur on account of participation in the program, including field trips and special events.
Commitment
(Required)
I am willing to volunteer at BRIGHT MINDS for the duration of the current school year. I am able to make this commitment to the child I am matched with. In the event that I am unable to continue volunteering, I will notify a Bright Minds staff member as soon as possible.
Privacy
(Required)
Bright Minds' privacy policy can be viewed here. I understand and agree to Bright Minds’ privacy policy
Reference
Please list one professional reference
Full Name
(Required)
Email
(Required)
Relationship
(Required)
Please Select...
Tutoring Chicago Tutor
Colleague/Friend
Co-worker
Supervisor
Professor/Teacher
Mentor
You must attend an orientation before you are matched with a student. You will be able to schedule an orientation after submitting this application. Thank you for applying to become a volunteer!