What is Wizard's Wardrobe?
The Wizard’s Wardrobe is a free one-on-one, after-school tutoring program for elementary students in the South End of Albany. Our focus is on reading and writing skills, along with problem solving, which is nurtured with our monthly STEM challenges. These challenges help build perseverance and grit and encourage risk-taking.
Our trained volunteer tutors welcome the children into a safe space, with an imaginative theme. Our library has over 2,700 books in order for tutors to help students find ones of interest on their reading level, as well as books that tutors can read to them to increase their listening vocabularies.
Once accepted into the program, students are welcome to continue through elementary school. We work to complement and enhance their experiences in school to raise their academic standings.
Project Description:
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who loves children, has a can-do attitude and is ready to strengthen a young student’s possibilities.
As one tutor said of her student, “my job is to help her believe in herself and what she can accomplish.”
Tutors must complete a two-day training before being assigned a student. Our last training for the 2024-25 school year will be Jan. 11 & 18, 2025.
We ask tutors to make a commitment for a full school year. Building a relationship with the student is of primary importance. It is this relationship that research tells us allows the student to make great progress. Many of our tutors have worked with their students for several years.
Currently we have a waiting list of students. We need tutors in order to enroll students. Your volunteering with us is essential. Students come twice a week for one and a half hours each time. Tutors commit to one or two afternoons a week. If twice, the student will have only that one tutor. If once, the tutor will share the student with another tutor. Tutors participate in a 15-hour training course.
Our children come at various times, depending on which school they attend. The program is open from 1:00 - 5:30 PM, Monday-Thursday with 2 tutoring slots (2:45-4:15; 3:45-5:15). It is also open on Friday, 2:00-5:30.
Click here to fill out our Tutor Application
