Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering
Can I sign up at as a Virtual Tutor if I don't live in California?
At this time CEP can only accept applications from Virtual Tutors who are based in California and aged 16 or above. Tutors under 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian support their tutoring efforts and complete the application process alongside them. Priority will be given to potential volunteers who are local to the Bay Area, able to transition to in-person tutoring when deemed safe, and willing to make a 6-month commitment to our students.
Where and when do tutoring sessions take place?
Most tutoring sessions take place after school between 3:00pm and 8:00pm. The tutoring sessions must always take place in a public space. Most often, tutors meet their students at a shelter or in a library. Occasionally, tutoring takes place in private spaces (e.g., kitchens, family rooms) made "public" by a parent/another adult being present.
What factors are considered when matching me with a student?
After you complete the tutor application process and training, you will be matched with a student based on your preferences for location, tutoring day, tutoring time, grade, and subject.
How long must I commit to being a tutor?
We ask that you commit to tutoring for at least six months.
Do I need to complete a background check to become a volunteer?
Yes, all in-person and virtual volunteers must complete a fingerprint (Live Scan) background check. Upon request, CEP will reimburse the cost of the background check.
Does tutoring occur when schools are not in session?
Yes! We ask you to maintain your weekly tutoring sessions with your student during school breaks (spring break, summer months, etc).
How old must I be to become a tutor?
You must be at least 16 years old to tutor virtually. If you are interested in being a tutor and are between the ages of 16 and 18, your parent or guardian will be required to support your tutoring session and to follow all of the same application steps as you except they will be required to complete a Live Scan background check and you will not.
Can I give my student a gift to reward their hard work, for their birthday, etc?
Yes, especially educational gifts such as books. Gift giving should be reserved for special occasions and achievements such as birthdays and graduations. If you have any concerns about giving a gift, please check with the student’s parent or guardian or with the shelter staff. Expensive gifts are discouraged.
Are field trips with students allowed?
Field trips are permitted once you have been paired with your student for a minimum of three months. Like gifts, field trips are allowed but are best when they are educational and not extravagant. In order to take your student on a field trip, a permission slip must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian, as well as a Community Education Partnerships staff member. It is very important to have all paperwork completed before going on a field trip.
What if I want to tutor more than one hour per week or more than one student each week?
Great! If you are interested in tutoring one student for more than one hour per week, please check with the student’s parent or guardian to schedule the additional tutoring hours. If you are interested in tutoring more than one student, please let a CEP staff member know and we can match you with an additional student. Thank you!
What happens if my student moves?
If your student moves out of their shelter or current location, first, communicate with their parent to determine if you can continue to tutor them at their new location. If you cannot, please contact a CEP staff member to talk about next steps (e.g., a new tutor for the student, a new student for you, etc).
How does Community Education Partnerships support me as a tutor?
Once you are matched with a student, CEP staff will keep in touch with you. If you have any questions or concerns about your tutoring sessions or a specific situation, if you would like assistance or feedback, or if you are in need of curriculum and activity ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us. We also provide workshops for our volunteers/tutors on different topics, so feel free to reach out to attend a workshop!
What if I need to miss a tutoring session?
If you need to miss one or two tutoring sessions, please let the student and their parent or guardian know. If you will need to miss more than two tutoring sessions in a row, please let the student and their parent or guardian know, as well as a staff member at Community Education Partnerships.
How do I track my tutoring hours and keep CEP updated about how my student is progressing?
You are required to track your tutoring hours. Additional information on how to do this will be provided once you are matched with a student. Additionally, you are required to provide updates and feedback about your student’s progress by responding to requests from CEP staff as needed. Download the Better Impact app for easier accessibility to log in your hours!
For those with additional questions about becoming a tutor, please contact us:
323-216-8263
[email protected]
At this time CEP can only accept applications from Virtual Tutors who are based in California and aged 16 or above. Tutors under 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian support their tutoring efforts and complete the application process alongside them. Priority will be given to potential volunteers who are local to the Bay Area, able to transition to in-person tutoring when deemed safe, and willing to make a 6-month commitment to our students.
Where and when do tutoring sessions take place?
Most tutoring sessions take place after school between 3:00pm and 8:00pm. The tutoring sessions must always take place in a public space. Most often, tutors meet their students at a shelter or in a library. Occasionally, tutoring takes place in private spaces (e.g., kitchens, family rooms) made "public" by a parent/another adult being present.
What factors are considered when matching me with a student?
After you complete the tutor application process and training, you will be matched with a student based on your preferences for location, tutoring day, tutoring time, grade, and subject.
How long must I commit to being a tutor?
We ask that you commit to tutoring for at least six months.
Do I need to complete a background check to become a volunteer?
Yes, all in-person and virtual volunteers must complete a fingerprint (Live Scan) background check. Upon request, CEP will reimburse the cost of the background check.
Does tutoring occur when schools are not in session?
Yes! We ask you to maintain your weekly tutoring sessions with your student during school breaks (spring break, summer months, etc).
How old must I be to become a tutor?
You must be at least 16 years old to tutor virtually. If you are interested in being a tutor and are between the ages of 16 and 18, your parent or guardian will be required to support your tutoring session and to follow all of the same application steps as you except they will be required to complete a Live Scan background check and you will not.
Can I give my student a gift to reward their hard work, for their birthday, etc?
Yes, especially educational gifts such as books. Gift giving should be reserved for special occasions and achievements such as birthdays and graduations. If you have any concerns about giving a gift, please check with the student’s parent or guardian or with the shelter staff. Expensive gifts are discouraged.
Are field trips with students allowed?
Field trips are permitted once you have been paired with your student for a minimum of three months. Like gifts, field trips are allowed but are best when they are educational and not extravagant. In order to take your student on a field trip, a permission slip must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian, as well as a Community Education Partnerships staff member. It is very important to have all paperwork completed before going on a field trip.
What if I want to tutor more than one hour per week or more than one student each week?
Great! If you are interested in tutoring one student for more than one hour per week, please check with the student’s parent or guardian to schedule the additional tutoring hours. If you are interested in tutoring more than one student, please let a CEP staff member know and we can match you with an additional student. Thank you!
What happens if my student moves?
If your student moves out of their shelter or current location, first, communicate with their parent to determine if you can continue to tutor them at their new location. If you cannot, please contact a CEP staff member to talk about next steps (e.g., a new tutor for the student, a new student for you, etc).
How does Community Education Partnerships support me as a tutor?
Once you are matched with a student, CEP staff will keep in touch with you. If you have any questions or concerns about your tutoring sessions or a specific situation, if you would like assistance or feedback, or if you are in need of curriculum and activity ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us. We also provide workshops for our volunteers/tutors on different topics, so feel free to reach out to attend a workshop!
What if I need to miss a tutoring session?
If you need to miss one or two tutoring sessions, please let the student and their parent or guardian know. If you will need to miss more than two tutoring sessions in a row, please let the student and their parent or guardian know, as well as a staff member at Community Education Partnerships.
How do I track my tutoring hours and keep CEP updated about how my student is progressing?
You are required to track your tutoring hours. Additional information on how to do this will be provided once you are matched with a student. Additionally, you are required to provide updates and feedback about your student’s progress by responding to requests from CEP staff as needed. Download the Better Impact app for easier accessibility to log in your hours!
For those with additional questions about becoming a tutor, please contact us:
323-216-8263
[email protected]
