Putnam Schools Have Immediate Need For 3rd Or 4th Grade Tutors

Retired teachers or those interested in helping students learn can join the Putnam County School System as a third or fourth grade tutor.

Elementary Instructional Supervisor Dr. Diana Wood said the system hired tutors at the beginning of the year, but some have left. Wood said many of their previous tutors received full-time employment places outside of the elementary school.

“We had a really good response in the beginning,” Wood said. “And I think we’ve got a good response to our second call for tutors so we’re hopeful that we’ll have some good tutors in place in the school system.”

Wood said tutors would work approximately six to ten-hour workdays conducting 45-minute long tutoring sessions. Wood said tutors will be working with three children at a time often mirroring the curriculum being taught to the whole class.

“When you’re in a small group like that you really have a great opportunity to build relationships with them and get to know them,” Wood said. “And so we’re looking for people who are really enthusiastic about kids and ready to make a difference.”

Wood said the system would love to have the positions filled after Thanksgiving, though they are willing to work with the availability of applicants.

“We already know the students that are in the tutoring program,” Wood said. “And so this is just making sure that every three students has that tutoring experience.”

Wood said a segment of the fourth graders must have literacy tutors per the state’s literacy success law. Wood said tutors also help third graders with their retention as well as preparing them for testing. Applicants should possess a four-year teaching degree with certification from any state or county.

Wood said the positions are a great opportunity for teachers who took a break and want to teach again at a smaller scale.