Opportunities From: Union College Community Connections

Come tutor with us!! We hold 4 two-day training sessions a school year -- September, October, November and January. Most sessions occur on two consecutive Saturdays from 8:45 AM to 4:00 PM. New this year! Weekday training sessions will be offered on Monday, October 13 and Friday, October 24, 2025.

2025-26 training dates are:

September 13 and 20, 2025 (Saturdays)

October 13 (Monday) and 24 (Friday), 2025

November 8 and 15, 2025 (Saturdays)

January 10 and 17, 2026 (Saturdays)

The two-day training includes learning how racism and poverty affect our students and the tutors on the first day, and  brain development, the 5 components of reading, writing, and lesson planning on the second day. 

Once trained, you will work with one student for the school year, building a trusting relationship that helps the student believe in themselves and dare to risk on the journey to learning.

Volunteers must pass background and reference checks.

Wizard's Wardrobe is looking for one or two volunteers to drive a 12-passenger van to pick up elementary students at three schools in Albany and then transport them to the Wizard's Wardrobe:

- Henry Johnson Charter School and Brighter Choice Charter School at 3:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays; and

- Albany School of Humanities (ASH) at 2:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

No special license is needed. Volunteers need to provide a valid driver's license with a clean driving record and proof of auto insurance as well as pass background and reference checks. 

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.

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 

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 2,500 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.

Wizard's Wardrobe is seeking a talented individual who would be interested in keeping our social media up to date - website, Facebook Page and other social media. Let your creativity flow and help us with our marketing. 

We are looking for a few people that are willing to help with various activities around the Wizard's Wardrobe. There are opportunities that range from being on a committee to helping with day to day needs such as helping to prepare snack, accompanying another adult in picking up children, as well as office work when needed.

Some of these activities would best be served if the person is willing to commit to once a week on a particular afternoon of the week.