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NC VIPS

Help kids learn to read. 

Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies work at their assigned teacher’s direction. This enables them to work as an extension of the teacher providing targeted tutoring to their assigned students. During a typical one-hour assignment, they work with two students for 30 minutes apiece. By working with the same students throughout the year, volunteers can develop a mentoring relationship, let the student know that they are important, and that education is important.


As volunteers and teachers develop a working relationship, they are encouraged to help in additional ways including additional in class support, making copies, covering for a bathroom break, or providing the occasional duty-free lunch.

FAQ's

Although it's great to have, most volunteers don't have teaching experience.  Primarily you need to like kids, have patience, and know how to read. Training and tips will be available but if all you did was to listen to a child read and provide encouragement, they would be better off for it.

We all have other things in our lives, so it is not a surprise when we need to miss a day and that's OK. If you know in advance, it's courteous to let both the teacher and the student you are working with know that you'll be missing. Alternately, drop an email to the teacher that you are working with.

The teacher is always in charge. They will provide you with direction and the materials you need.

That's up to you. It's pretty helpful if your students see you more than once a week. But if you're unsure about volunteering or you schedule doesn't allow for more than day, that's fine too. Each segment of volunteer time is one hour which is usually split into two thirty-minute sessions.

  • On your first day someone in the front office will show you how to sign in. Someone will take you to the class you will be working in and introduce you to your teacher.
  • On subsequent days, you will sign in and go directly to your class.
  • You will have the opportunity to work directly with a teacher.
  • The teacher will direct you to help with reading, math, or some other subject.
  • Often, you'll work with the same students on an ongoing basis.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to see improvement as the year goes on.

There should be plenty of parking in front of the school.  Avoid the bus parking lot.

Check in and out at the front office.

If the teacher you are working with is unable to answer your question. Please contact us at communications@ncvips.com.

Elementary Schools We Serve in 2026/2027

Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary          Supply Elementary          Bolivia Elementary          Lincoln Elementary

Union Elementary       Virginia Williamson Elementary       Belville Elementary      Town Creek Elementary       Southport Elementary

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