Tutor Volunteer

HomeWorks is looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteer tutors who are passionate about educational equity, teaching/tutoring, and supporting students on their academic journeys through high school.

Our weekly Tutoring Program is an essential component of this model, and your participation as a volunteer tutor would be no small feat or contribution. We excitedly encourage you to apply and be part of our HomeWorks community! At the time, we are seeking a semester-long commitment for the duration of Fall 2026 (Sept-Dec 2026), with the chance to renew come Spring 2027. We ask for a weekly commitment to one consistent shift, minimum, though we welcome you to sign up for more shifts as able. Tutoring will be offered this semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:30-7:30pm and 7:30-8:30pm each evening (resulting in four total hour-long tutoring shifts). Our program currently takes place at Rider University, and all tutoring must take place in-person. 

If interested, please fill out the application linked above. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at volunteer@homeworkstrenton.org.

OBJECTIVE:

• To assist high school students in achieving independent mastery of key concepts, skills, and content knowledge in core academic subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, and history. Volunteer tutors will act on information from the HomeWorks team to provide individualized academic support to scholars, teach subject-specific content, assess knowledge and skills, and share regular scholar observations with the Academic Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commit to consistent availability for one shift minimum throughout the Fall 2026 semester (Sept-Dec 2026). Shift availability will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:30-7:30pm and 7:30-8:30pm.

• Attend tutor orientation and any follow-up training sessions led by the HomeWorks team. These sessions will amplify certain instructional techniques and introduce tutors to the organization’s mission, pedagogical approach, and goals for this tutoring program.

• Prepare for tutoring sessions as needed, in response to information from the HomeWorks team. Tutors may be expected to create lesson plans in advance of their sessions.

• Adapt tutoring styles to the pedagogical approach, expectations, and values of HomeWorks.

• Receive ongoing training and feedback as necessary.

• Build rapport with HomeWorks scholars and show sincere interest in their academic growth and success.

• Comply with the Volunteer Attendance & Communication policy as outlined in orientation.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or in progress

• Significant expertise in at least one of the following subjects at the high-school level: English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics (Algebra 1 & 2; Geometry; Pre-Calc; Calculus; and/or Statistics), Science (Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Environmental Science), or History (especially U.S.). 

  • Note: We currently have the greatest need for qualified English, Science, and History tutors (in that order)

• Comfort preparing lessons in relevant subject area(s) after light training.

• Openness to training and feedback as aligned with the HomeWorks mission, culture, and pedagogical approach.

• Interest in and comfort working with female high school students.

• Cultural competence and the ability to honor and respect the identity, beliefs, culture, language, and interpersonal style of each individual.

• Highly preferred but not required: Prior experience teaching or tutoring academic content at the middle-school or high-school level.

• Highly preferred but not required: Prior experience working with teenagers in a structured setting (school, after-school program, extracurricular activity).

FROM APPLICATION TO ONBOARDING:

• HomeWorks regards tutoring as a crucial responsibility; for that reason, we select tutors carefully through a multi-step application and interview process.   

• Following our review of the online application, prospective tutors are asked to participate in two rounds of interviews to confirm fit and alignment with the role before beginning their commitment. 

• Round 1 Interview: Pending review of the online application for fit and subject availability, applicants will then be passed to a first round phone interview with our Senior Program Manager.

• Round 2 Interview: Continuing applicants will then be invited to come to campus for an in-person interview with the Academic Director. As part of this second interview, applicants will prepare and deliver a demo lesson with a HomeWorks scholar.

• Onboarding: Applicants that are moved through to the end of the pipeline will be given a final offer to join our Volunteer Tutor team, and their assigned tutor shift and primary subject will be mutually agreed upon. They will then complete a few short onboarding steps, including a background check and Sexual Abuse Awareness training (mandatory to work with minors). 

• Orientation & Training: A Volunteer Tutor Orientation & Training will be held in late September by the Senior Program Manager and Academic Director prior to final approval to begin tutoring sessions with scholars. Orientation will familiarize tutors with: HomeWorks’ pedagogical and instructional approach; developmentally-appropriate best practices for high school learners; desired tutoring outcomes; mandatory safety policies; and our attendance & communication procedures.

• The Academic Director and Senior Program Manager will remain available beyond Orientation & Training as your first points of contact to discuss and address any emergent or ongoing concerns.

BENEFITS:

• Tutors will make an impact on HomeWorks scholars’ lives by supporting their academic growth and success.

• Tutors are invited to engage their creativity and expertise to craft lessons and facilitate learning.