Whether you want to pick up a new skill or help others reach their untapped potential, the Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center offers both with their free tutoring program.

It’s Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, which Kirkwood is highlighting as Center Director Tera Pickens says this is part of the school’s mission to identify community needs and provide opportunities for lifelong learning. Adult Literacy Program Director Dr. Monie Hayes facilitates the tutoring program that provides support in many areas including basic reading, math skills, writing, and computer literacy. This is open to all ages, and each student gets an individualized plan of instruction with one-to-one tutoring in their choice of a face-to-face setting or through Zoom. Hayes shares what she enjoys most from this service, “To see the students persevere, to see them plug away from just starting out and not really having a context for a skill to working, practicing, developing the skill. And then in addition to working with the students and seeing the goals and aspirations they bring to the program and their perseverance and to see them able to do something they couldn’t do before.”

Volunteers are also needed for this program, and no prior experience or training is necessary. Those who are interested in taking part can contact monie.hayes@kirkwood.edu or 319-887-3656.