Serve as an Early Literacy Tutor for the 2026–27 School Year

Every student deserves an adult who believes in them—and the opportunity to become a confident reader.

At OpenDoors Asheville, we invest in students for the long term. We walk alongside young people and their families from elementary school through high school and into college, providing the academic support, relationships, opportunities, and resources students need to thrive.

Tutoring is an important part of that investment. In our ongoing tutoring program, 60+ OpenDoors students receive individualized tutoring support in math, science, history, and other academic areas.

This fall, we're building on that work with an Early Literacy Initiative designed to provide individualized reading support to 15 OpenDoors elementary students using the UFLI Foundations curriculum.

We're looking for 10-12 caring, committed tutors to join us.

What does an OpenDoors Early Literacy Tutor do?

As an OpenDoors Early Literacy Tutor, you'll work one-on-one with an elementary student twice a week throughout the 2026–27 school year.

You'll use the researched-based, evidence based curriculum to provide structured literacy instruction that builds foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, and fluency.

You'll do more than teach reading. You'll get to know your student, tailor your support to their needs, celebrate their progress, and help make learning a positive and encouraging experience.

Together, you'll give a student the individualized attention, instruction, and encouragement they need to build strong foundational reading skills—and a strong foundation for future learning.

You'll be part of something bigger than literacy tutoring.

The Early Literacy Initiative is part of OpenDoors' broader commitment to individualized academic support.

Our tutors work alongside students and families over time—not just to support one academic area, but to help students develop the skills, confidence, relationships, and opportunities they need to succeed.

A student you meet in elementary school may continue with OpenDoors through middle school, high school, and college. Your work as an early literacy tutor can become one important part of that longer journey.

We provide the training and tools you need.

You don't need to be a reading specialist to become an Early Literacy Tutor—but you do need experience working with elementary-aged students and a willingness to learn.

OpenDoors will provide:

• A two-day Early Literacy Tutor Training on September 28–29
• All necessary tutoring materials
• A tutor binder and materials bag
• Ongoing support from the OpenDoors program team
• A 1.5-hour asynchronous training on behavior support/self-regulation, along with an opportunity to participate in a virtual Q&A regarding the elementary behavior support toolkit on October 20 at 7:30 PM

We will use i-Ready Inform to help us understand each student's current literacy skills and needs across the school year.

The commitment:

We are looking for tutors who can:

• Meet with their student twice a week throughout the school yearCommit to working with their student for the full school year
• Attend both days of the required Early Literacy Tutor Training
• Complete an OpenDoors background check
• Complete North Carolina mandated reporter training
• Complete the required 1.5-hour asynchronous behavior support and self-regulation training
• Bring consistency, patience, encouragement, and high expectations to each session
• Tutoring will begin in early October..

Depending on your student, you will be meeting with your student at OpenDoors in West Asheville or at the student’s school.

Join OpenDoors as an Early Literacy Tutor for 2026–27.