Yellowknife (Oct 27/04) - The recruitment drive for new tutors at Aurora College is in full swing.

While the search for tutors willing to donate their time to help students learn is an ongoing one, finding students open to asking for help is part of the task as well, according to May Thiessen, literacy outreach instructor.

"For a lot of people, there's a huge fear factor," said Thiessen of the students needing help.

Having to find child care in order to meet with a tutor in the evenings is a deterrent as well, she said.

The need for tutors is two-fold each year. Some volunteer to help college students in math, sciences and other subjects at the Student Success Centre, while others are slated to help in the Literacy Outreach Centre, located on the second floor of the college.

Interested volunteers are asked to put in two hours a week for at least a semester.

Once they are matched with a student, they can arrange a time that's good for both parties.

"The turnover is tremendous because Yellowknife is such a mobile community," said Thiessen, who organizes the Literacy Outreach tutors.

Rose Von Schilling, co-ordinator for the Student Success Centre, manages the college tutors.

The successful volunteers have to pass a criminal records check and sign on for two days of training. Other than that, being open to working with people of all ages and abilities is the main prerequisite.

Bishop enjoys tutoring

Chris Williams is in his second year of volunteer tutoring with the Literacy Outreach Centre. He spends two mornings a week with adults with low literacy skills and disabilities.

"I was retired. I was looking for something to do," said the former Anglican bishop.

"There seemed to be a need there that I could fit into," said Williams.

In his tutoring experience, sometimes getting basic skills across to the participants is tough, but at times the reward is a big one.

"When you see the light go off, you feel good for them.

"There are enough of those experiences that I want to go back," said Williams.

He plans on sticking with the program as long as he can be useful.