Seven Rowan County Literacy Council volunteer tutors have logged more than 50 instructional hours since the beginning of the year.

“RCLC has an amazing group of volunteer tutors who are all so dedicated to their students’ success,” said program coordinator Laurel Harry.

“Within this group, we have seven exceptional tutors who have logged over 50 hours of one-on-one classroom time since the beginning of the year,” she said.

The seven are Gary Rash, Jennifer Welch, Anne Saunders, Don Doering, Ray Costello, Char Molrine and Irene Stewart.

Rash and Molrine have been the longest-serving tutors in the group, having volunteered for over a decade each. Costello is the newest member of the group, having joined the council less than a year ago.

All of the tutors work with more than one student, and some meet their students several times per week.

“Our tutors really connect with their students,” said Harry. “They become friends, mentors, sounding boards, and motivational coaches all at once. They want to see their students succeed, and they go the extra mile to make that happen.”

Claudie Boyd has been working with Costello since early spring and has already completed a level of the Challenger Adult Reading Series.

“I have a very good instructor,” Boyd said. “Even though I am a high school graduate, there were things I needed to improve. He has shown me the right road, and I feel like I have learned a lot. I really look forward to my classes.”

The program has several students on a waiting list, and new tutors are always needed. Tutors and students typically meet once a week for a 90-minute class. Most classes are held at the headquarters library on Fisher Street in Salisbury, although some classes are held at the East branch in Rockwell and the South Rowan Regional in China Grove.

All new tutors receive in-person and online training and undergo a certification process and background check before working with students.

The Rowan County Literacy Council is a United Way Agency that offers both Adult Basic Education and English as Second Language classes. The Literacy Council also has pilot programs for children at Hurley Elementary School and a summer program in two Housing Authority communities. Classes are free.

For information on becoming a tutor or other volunteer opportunities, visit the website at http://www.rcliteracy.org or call 704-216-8266.

For more information about this topic, contact Laurel Harry 704 216-8266 or email at lharry@rcliteracy.org.