Volunteers in Education

JUMP! In the News: JUMP! Volunteer named 2008 Cognos Volunteer of the Year

Apply here to become a JUMP Math tutor!

OCRI's JUMP Math Tutoring Program was thrilled to hear that Mr. Jack Neale won the 2008 Cognos Volunteer of the Year award for tutoring mathematics at nearby Carleton Heights Public School.  IBM Cognos recruits employees for this OCRI Education program which matches volunteers with elementary schools in our city to work one-on-one with children who are struggling in Math class. This year OCRI JUMP Math Tutoring placed over one hundred volunteers (including 14 from IBM Cognos) in participating schools. Jack Neale who has been a JUMP tutor at Carleton Heights Public School for three years was surprised and honoured to receive the award.
 
Tutoring mathematics once per week to a child is wonderfully rewarding in itself, mostly because it is focused on overcoming challenges—both for the child and the tutor. The JUMP Math Tutoring Program is based on the belief that every child can succeed in Math and that it is the tutor's job to find the key to the child's success.  Achieving results as a team is very satisfying. The award from Cognos represents a big shout-out from all people who believe in getting together to help one another solve problems.  We at OCRI's JUMP Math Tutoring, Ottawa Reads and Volunteers in Education Programs want to join in the cheering for Jack Neale.

JUMP! Introducing a New Volunteer Opportunity in Ottawa!

JUNIOR UNDISCOVERED MATH PRODIGIES (JUMP) is a new approach in math tutoring aimed at children who are struggling with Math and who do not have access to private tutoring. The program was originally developed to help children in grades three to eight who have fallen behind in their math and need to catch up quickly. JUMP tutors teach from customized manuals, which are carefully developed to ensure the steps to every explanation are as simple and mechanical as possible. http://www.jumpmath.org/

John Mighton, a mathematician and author of "The Myth of Ability - Nurturing Mathematical Ability in Every Child" and "The End of Ignorance--Multiplying Our Human Potential", developed the JUMP approach to math education. OCRI - Volunteers In Education, in partnership with JUMP and with support from administrators, parents and teachers in Ottawa has implemented JUMP Tutoring in 35 elementary schools within the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Currently almost 125 JUMP tutors are volunteering one or two hours per week working one-on-one with students in the junior grades.

Volunteer tutors are not required to have formal mathematical training. Even those with math "phobias" are encouraged to apply. We welcome all members of the community who share an understanding of the importance of public education and an interest in supporting and encouraging students who are struggling and falling behind in their math.

We will screen, train and match you to a school and individual students who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford private tutoring. The program has proven that with even a modest amount of individual attention every child will flourish.

Apply here!

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Ottawa.

What's involved

As a JUMP tutor, you will be trained to help a child learn mathematics from the grade 3 to the grade 8 levels. All the lessons and steps are clearly laid out in the Tutor's Manual and you will be trained on specifics of the JUMP approach. All you need is:

• dedication,
• enthusiasm and patience,
• a desire to motivate and support a student in need,
• a weekly commitment of 1 or 2 hours during the school terms (September/October - May), and
• a flexible schedule which allows you to meet at a time which is best for the student. Many participating schools schedule JUMP tutoring before or after school or during nutrition breaks.

Interested in getting involved as a JUMP Volunteer Tutor?

We recruit volunteers throughout the year. All volunteers are required to attend a three-hour orientation session and undergo a police records check before working with students. Waiting for results from a police records check can delay your start by weeks, so apply early!

For more information on JUMP Math Tutoring please contact:
Anne Brouillard
(613) 828-6274 ext 255
abrouillard@ocri.ca

To register for a future training session please contact abrouillard@ocri.ca

Resources

Apply here!
JUMP Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Math Tips and Hints (PDF)
Introduction to the JUMP Workbooks (PDF)
Hints for Helping Students Who Have Fallen Behind (PDF)
Summary of the JUMP Teaching Method and Approach (PDF)