VinE, also known as Volunteers in Education, has been serving students in Northeast Minnesota since its founding in 2008. The organization’s core mission is to engage the community in educating its students, supporting their growth, and preparing them for productive citizenship. VinE currently serves schools within the St. Louis County, Mt. Iron-Buhl, and Rock Ridge Public School Districts and is excited to work with students again during the 2025-2026 school year.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, VinE tutors provided invaluable support to students across nine schools, benefiting over 600 students monthly. To gauge the effectiveness of the program, surveys were conducted after each academic semester. The feedback from teachers revealed significant academic improvements in all tutored subjects, enhanced self-confidence, increased classroom engagement, and the invaluable impact of the student-tutor relationship. Volunteer tutors shared that their experience with VinE was both enjoyable and fulfilling. Meanwhile, students found the tutoring sessions to be both educational and enjoyable.
The range of support provided by VinE tutors spans across students in grades K-12, encompassing all academic disciplines. The tutoring framework is adaptable, aligning with the tutor’s interests, expertise, and availability. Tutors have the autonomy to select the grades and subjects they wish to tutor, as well as determine the preferred tutoring format – be it individual, small-group, or whole-class sessions. Notably, with the shift to a four-day school week for St. Louis County and Mt. Iron-Buhl schools in the upcoming academic year, VinE tutors will be available on Fridays to cater to student needs on non-class days.
Teachers play a pivotal role in referring students to the VinE tutoring program, outlining the specific learning needs of each individual. The support provided by VinE tutors encompasses a diverse range of activities, including reading sessions, assisting with assignments, and honing content-specific skills. For tutors with specialized literacy training, there is an opportunity to work intensively with early readers to enhance skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 academic year, VinE is actively seeking volunteers to engage in tutoring activities across its partnered schools. All community members are encouraged to consider this meaningful community service opportunity. Comprehensive preservice education is provided to equip volunteers with the necessary tools for effective engagement with students. Additionally, in adherence to VinE school policies, all volunteers are required to undergo a background check. For more information about Volunteers in Education, community members are invited to visit vine-mn.org or email [email protected].
