Tutor University
Learn. Connect. Continue to Inspire.
Tutor University
Learn. Connect. Continue to Inspire.
Tutor University
Learn. Connect. Continue to Inspire.
Tutor University is a dynamic learning series created for all Oasis Tutoring volunteers— whether you’re an
in-person tutor or a Postal Pal.
Tutor University offers two learning series to keep volunteers engaged and growing throughout the year. Tutors who complete all sessions will receive special recognition at Tutoring celebrations beginning in 2027. Earn prizes based on participation.
Ready to enroll in Tutor University? Call the Tutor Hotline at 314-995-9506.
Tutor University is a dynamic learning series created for all Oasis Tutoring volunteers— whether you’re an in-person tutor or a Postal Pal.
Tutor University offers two learning series to keep volunteers engaged and growing throughout the year. Tutors who complete all sessions will receive special recognition at Tutoring celebrations beginning in 2027. Earn prizes based on participation.
Ready to enroll in Tutor University? Call the Tutor Hotline at 314-995-9506.
Tutor University is a dynamic learning series created for all Oasis Tutoring volunteers— whether you’re an
in-person tutor or a Postal Pal.
Tutor University offers two learning series to keep volunteers engaged and growing throughout the year. Tutors who complete all sessions will receive special recognition at Tutoring celebrations beginning in 2027. Earn prizes based on participation.
Ready to enroll in Tutor University? Call the Tutor Hotline at 314-995-9506.
FIRST FRIDAYS
Are you interested in fresh ideas to implement within your tutor sessions? Back by popular demand, Oasis Tutoring will be hosting tutor enrichment meetings, in-person & via zoom, on the first Friday of each month (November – April).
Each First Friday meeting will take place at:
- 9 a.m. Pacific Time
- 10 a.m. Mountain Time
- 11 a.m. Central Time
- 12 p.m. Eastern Time
First Fridays will feature a topic that is relevant to your role as an Oasis Tutor and will provide practical applications you can use in your sessions with students!
Fresh Off the Shelf: A First Look at This Year’s New Session Plans | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
The new school year brings new tools, new ideas, and new ways to connect with your student, and this session is your exclusive first look at all of them. Join us for an engaging overview of this year’s 10 brand-new session titles, where you’ll get a sneak peek at the topics, themes and activities coming your way throughout the year. Whether you’re a returning mentor or just getting started, this is the perfect opportunity to see the full picture, ask questions and get excited about the learning journey ahead for you and your student.
Location: Oasis Northwest Plaza & Zoom
500 Northwest Plaza Dr, Suite 425, St. Ann, MO 63074
Speaker: Sarah Lesinski
Sarah Lesinski is a fifth-grade teacher at St. Peter School in Kirkwood and has been serving students and families in education for the past 24 years. She holds a B.S. from the University of Dayton and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University, along with an ESL certification. Sarah previously coordinated the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program and has partnered with volunteer tutors to support many of her students over the years. She is passionate about building strong literacy foundations, fostering confidence in young learners and empowering volunteers to make meaningful connections with the children they serve.
Ask the Experts: Insights from the Volunteers and Administrators Who Know Best | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
Who better to learn from than the people already doing the work and the leaders who see it up close every day? This lively panel session brings together a group of experienced volunteers and school administrators for an open, honest conversation about what it really takes to mentor well. With a mix of pre-submitted questions and live Q&A, you’ll have the chance to get real answers to the questions on your mind, hear perspectives from both sides of the partnership and walk away with practical insights you can put to work at your very next session.
Location: Clayton Oasis & Zoom
50 Gay Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
Speakers: Tutors & Admins
Admins: Amy Ruzicka (Bayless), Jason Sefrit (St. Charles)
Read the Science: A Guide to the Five Pillars of Literacy | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
Behind every child who learns to love reading is a foundation built on five essential pillars, and this session is your guide to all of them. We’ll take the science of reading out of the research journals and bring it to life in a way that’s practical, engaging and easy to understand. From phonemic awareness to comprehension, you’ll walk away with a clear picture of how young readers develop, why each pillar matters and how your weekly sessions are already contributing to that foundation in powerful ways. Science has never felt so personal or so inspiring.
Location: Clayton Oasis & Zoom
50 Gay Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
Speakers: Kim Sult
Kim Sult is an experienced educator and instructional leader with over 25 years of experience supporting students and teachers. Her career spans roles as an elementary classroom teacher, special education teacher, and district leader all centered on literacy, curriculum design, and inclusive learning environments.
Currently serving as the Director of Elementary Instruction with the Northwest R-I School District, Kim coordinates district curriculum, the gifted program, after-school literacy tutoring, the Oasis intergenerational tutoring program, and new-teacher support. She holds a Master’s in Elementary Reading & Literacy from Walden University and a Special Education background from the University of Missouri.
Kim believes that strong relationships are at the heart of effective education, and she remains passionate about creating learning environments where every student can succeed.
Topic TBD | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Oasis Northwest Plaza & Zoom
500 Northwest Plaza Dr, Suite 425, St. Ann, MO 63074
Speaker: Dr. Sherri Kulpa
Dr. Sherri Kulpa serves members across the St. Louis region through her leadership of the learning division at EdPlus. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and ISTE Certified Educator and Trainer. She has over 30 years of experience in the education field, serving as a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator and assistant principal. Sherri is passionate about ensuring all kids have access to a rich curriculum and teachers who are well-versed in instructional design and pedagogy that is cognitively and emotionally engaging.
Ready, Set, Mentor: Hands- On Games & Activities for Every Session | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
The best mentoring moments often happen when the pressure is off and the fun is on. This session is a hands-on, hearts-in exploration of the games and activities that can transform your weekly visits into something your student genuinely looks forward to. You’ll try out a variety of literacy-friendly activities firsthand, discover how playful engagement builds both skills and confidence and walk away with practical, easy-to-implement ideas for every kind of session: the energetic ones, the slow-start ones and everything in between. Because when a child is having fun, they’re also learning, and so are you.
Location: St. Louis County Library – Eureka Hills Branch & Zoom
500 Workman Rd., Eureka, MO 63025
Speaker: Tammy Rhomberg
During her 56 years in education, Tamara has taught all levels from three and four year olds through 7th grade. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She served as a reading specialist for ten years at Kellison Elementary in the Rockwood School District in St. Louis before going on to become the district’s K-5 Language Art Coordinator and then the K-5 Reading Intervention Coordinator and Title I Coordinator for 13 years. She was employed by Zaner-Bloser publishing company as a National Literacy Consultant for six years traveling the country training teachers and delivering professional development in all areas of literacy. Ms. Rhomberg serves as a trainer for the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program in St. Louis.
Tamara graduated from Southeast Missouri University and completed her graduate work at Maryville University. She holds a lifetime special reading certification in Missouri and an elementary administration certification from Lindenwood University.
Professional presentations include International Literacy Association (National, State, Local), Council for Exceptional Children (International, National, Local), and numerous other language arts conferences. In 2012 she received the Missouri Literacy Award from the Missouri Council of Reading.
Thirty Minutes, Lasting Impact: The Heart of Meaningful Mentoring | 9 a.m. Pacific Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time
The clock may say 30 minutes, but your influence goes far beyond the session. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to quickly connect with your student in ways that feel genuine and lasting because strong relationships are the foundation of every breakthrough. We’ll also dig into one of the most important (and tender) parts of mentoring: supporting children who struggle with the emotional side of learning. You’ll walk away with real strategies for helping your student navigate feelings of frustration or self-doubt while keeping every session warm, encouraging and full of possibility.
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Darbie Valenti-Huff
Darbie Valenti Huff loves first and teaches second. She is a proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, where she has served as an adjunct professor. Her 20+ years of teaching experience spans third through eighth grades. Darbie was recognized as a STARR Teacher by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2006 and was later named the 2017 Missouri Teacher of the Year. Those honors have afforded her the opportunity to present to teachers across the state, nation and world, which has helped prepare her for her current role as a Professional Developer for the Missouri State Teachers Association.
“Julia Cook is amazing! My grandkids love her book Bubble Gum Brain, and her analogies and visuals to illustrate points were great! I will order more of her books for sure.”
“This was very inspirational. I want to thank Izzy B. for his books that I can look up to and read to my kids — the kids I tutor.”
“I love hearing about authors’ worlds, inspirations, and approaches to writing!”
“These sessions are great and very motivational.”
“I thought the presentation was priceless! So many ideas and demonstrations with props to deal with situations involving children. I hunger for more.”