Help a Child Become a Better Reader:
Be a FOG Readers Tutor
Tutors are making a tremendous impact! Work with a student 1:1 to improve their reading skills and confidence.
Students enrolled in the FOG Readers Program increase reading confidence, gain an average half-grade level in the first 3 months and read more at home, for fun!
FOG Readers is a 1:1 tutoring program for children enrolled in grades 1-4. We serve children who live or attend school in San Francisco. Parents or guardians sign up online to request a tutor and we have an ongoing waitlist.
As a tutor you can expect:
- Preparation to become a FOG Readers tutor
- Seven and a half hour training session(s), where you will learn how to build reading skills starting from letter-sound relationships, how to decode words, how to break down words into parts and learn about how parts of words can provide clues about meaning.
- To be assigned a student for weekly sessions
- To spend 1 hour of instruction time and 1 hour of preparation time each week. (Preparation time varies from tutor to tutor)
- Ongoing support from the FOG Readers team who will cheer you on and find resources for you and your student as needed.
Reading development takes time and consistency is key. If you are considering this as a volunteer opportunity, we ask that you make sure you can commit at least six months, from the time you get paired with a student. Training, fingerprinting process, verification and matching can take several weeks.
High schoolers, age 15 and older, are welcome to apply to become tutors but we ask for the same six-month commitment starting from the time you get paired with a student. Please let us know if you are in high school and under age 18.
Additionally, those considering tutoring should be able to meet the requirements for working with children that includes having a clear conviction history as determined by fingerprinting at the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Human Resources, the cost of which is covered by the Library. Additionally, any volunteer for the City and County of San Francisco, which includes the Library, must provide proof of COVID vaccination.
We look forward to the opportunity to prepare you to become an effective literacy tutor in FOG Readers methodology!
Ready to get started? Please complete the online Become a Tutor form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the issue of reading instruction?
We are glad you asked. It is a big complex and nationwide issue. Learn more by tuning in to Audio Documentaries about Learning to Read get inspired and become a tutor to be part of the solution.
We are also working hard to spread the word about our wonderful tutor efforts in FOG Readers and even gained a Library recognition award, learn about it, ULC Top Innovation Award
I am looking for volunteer opportunities to share with others, what can I point them to?
Thank you for helping us spread the word about the FOG Readers Tutoring Program to possible tutors. Here is a great initial document to share with them: FOG Readers Program Volunteer Overview