Frequently Asked Questions

I am interested in becoming an Augustine Tutor. What do I have to do?

Please fill out and submit our training inquiry form. You will be contacted to schedule a time to talk about training details, the time commitment and cost.

Do I have to have experience teaching?

No. The program is geared to train everyone who wishes to help a child. You will be thoroughly trained to prepare and deliver Augustine lessons.

Who do you tutor?

We tutor primarily low-income first through third grade students, who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and are at least one grade level behind in reading. The student does need to have a good attendance record.

What makes an Augustine lesson unique?

ALP lessons allow students to process reading in an alternative way through a pattern of hearing, saying, touching, seeing, writing and reading each word following a strict lesson plan customized to their level.

What does it take to become an ALP tutor? 

ALP Core prepares volunteer tutors to use pre-written lesson plans to teach the first 45 concepts in the ALP Scope & Sequence, building a strong literacy foundation for beginning readers who need a consistent, caring adult and early literacy support.

Before training begins, you'll complete short readings, video lessons, and brief quizzes at your own pace so we can spend class time practicing together. During the training classes, you'll continue with manageable homework and reflection assignments that help you feel confident before you begin working with a student.

All volunteers also complete an online training about safe practices when working with children and agree to a background check, in keeping with our commitment to student safety.

After you deliver about 12–15 lessons and complete a successful observation, you'll have the option to grow your skills as your student progresses through the ALP Scope & Sequence. Our self-paced, virtual ALP Advanced training deepens your knowledge of student assessment, custom lesson planning, syllable types, syllable division strategies, and morphology.

When you have completed both levels of ALP training and delivered 60 lessons along with a successful lesson observation by a certified Augustine tutor, you will receive your Certificate of Completion of the Augustine training.

ALP training classes are offered with a variety of schedules to accommodate volunteers.

Why do I have to pay to be trained as an Augustine Tutor?

It costs ALP approximately $1,500 to train and support an Augustine tutor. Over $500 worth of materials will be provided to you over the course of your training. We ask you to pay a non-refundable $150 registration fee to help offset the administrative costs for background checks and child safety training. ALP pays for all other costs with monies donated from various sources.

I understand there is a service commitment required of me if I complete the course. What is it?

You commit to deliver 60 pro-bono lessons to qualified ALP students. This is typically two lessons per week while school is in session. Sometimes, due to vacations and other reasons, you may have to go into the next school year, possibly with a new student.

We hope you will enjoy the tutoring experience and choose to continue beyond the 60-hour requirement. The success of our program depends upon committed tutors who return year after year to tutor one child and change two lives.

How is a student selected for me to tutor?

The ALP Tutor Resource Manager works together with school administrators/community center program directors to select students that meet our criteria.

Where and when will I be able to tutor?

You will tutor at the student's school or afterschool program, or another public space such as a library at a time that is convenient to you and fits the student's schedule, typically two, 45-minute sessions per week.

When is the next Training Class?

Training classes are offered with a variety of schedules.

I am a current Augustine Tutor who would like a refresher course. Do I need to register and pay again for another Training Class?

Active ALP tutors must notify the Director of your intent to participate in the class if you plan to participate in practice lessons with a mentor tutor. Otherwise, feel free to audit all or any part of the course.

What certification will I have when I complete training?

After completing Core and Advanced training and delivering 60 lessons, you will receive an Augustine certificate of course completion. This is not an Orton–Gillingham certification document, but it reflects substantial training in structured literacy aligned with OG principles.

Submit an inquiry form to learn if this training course is for you.