K-3 Reading Tutor

Position Summary

This is an AmeriCorps service member position within an AmeriCorps program, Colorado Reading Corps. The K-3 Reading Tutor is placed at one elementary school to provide supplemental practice to children in kindergarten through third grade to develop their reading skills. The tutor will use scripted, evidence-based literacy strategies as guided by coaches and will conduct assessments to ensure each student is on track to read at grade level.

Essential Functions

• Identify students who qualify for Reading Corps tutoring services based on a Reading Corps designed defined assessment with direction from Coaches.
• Conduct one-on-one or paired tutoring sessions with students using scripted, evidence-based literacy strategies provided by Reading Corps; achieve a high degree of fidelity to the scripted strategies.
• Develop and maintain a weekly tutoring schedule for students which maximizes the number of students served (approximately 15-18 sessions daily) and allows each student to receive daily 20-minute reading tutoring sessions using prescribed literacy strategies.
• Aid students in improving their reading skills and abilities to reach grade level expectations.
• Assess, with a high level of accuracy, students' continual progress using triannual benchmark assessments and ongoing progress monitoring assessments.
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely documentation of students' weekly progress scores and tutoring time using an online database; maintain confidentiality of all student data.
• Regularly review student data with Coaches to gauge the effectiveness of the literacy strategies being used.
• Participate in regular coaching sessions (includes observation of tutor) to review student progress, plan, problem-solve, and set goals; act on constructive feedback from coaching sessions.
• Provide opportunities for family involvement for students receiving services, including implementing program family engagement interventions as available.

Communication

• Communicate and interact with students in an age and developmentally appropriate way.
• Foster a welcoming and supportive atmosphere through modeling respectful behavior and communication.
• Build and maintain professional relationships and communicate regularly with classroom teachers, internal coaches, and school site personnel regarding student schedules, interventions, student progress, etc.
• Build and maintain professional relationships and communicate regularly with CYC Reading Corps staff and members.

Attendance

• Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
• Commit to service for the full term of service, meeting the total commitment of hours within the term.
• Participate in all required Reading Corps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and coaching sessions, including peer professional development/cluster meetings and member meetups; travel as necessary.
• Engage in independent service activities as needed to ensure completion of required service hours.

HOURS AND TERM OF SERVICE

• Members serve full-time (35-40 hours a week), during a typical school schedule.
• Daily hours are usually within the time frame of 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, however these may vary slightly from site to site.
• Members may attend site-sponsored activities outside of regular service hours (e.g., family night).
• Members have time off during school breaks or holidays when the students are not in school.

Member Training

• Members participate in a two-week onboarding training at the beginning of their service term.
• Orientation is completed online.
• Members participate in Zoom meetings, interactive trainings, and self-directed learning modules.
• Members are trained in individualized student support strategies, mandated reporting, data entry, and more.
• Members complete their Reading Corps Institute training during orientation.
• Members receive one-on-one supervision twice per month by a CYC Reading Corps Coach.
• Members participate in ongoing professional development trainings facilitated by CYC staff and through community partners of CYC at least twice per month.
• Members also participate in professional development opportunities at their service sites which vary depending on the site.

Service Location

• CYC AmeriCorps members are placed at one school during the term of service.
• Placement will be determined based on the needs of the member and the needs of the school.
• Typically, member location and mode of transportation are the biggest consideration.
• Although members are placed at one school, there will be regular opportunities to connect as a larger team with other fellow Reading Corps members.
• Service sites are located throughout the state of Colorado.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Interest in education, specifically helping children develop early literacy skills.
• Dedication to community service.
• Strong planning and time management skills.
• Strong capacity to be flexible and adaptable to varied circumstances, paired with a conscientious commitment to adhere to the Reading Corps tutoring model with fidelity.
• Consistent follow-through.
• Ability to accept and incorporate constructive feedback from coaches and program staff.
• Ability to work with all identities.
• Open to learning and unlearning.
• Ability to adapt to a sometimes challenging and high-pressure environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• 17 years or older by start date (17-year-olds must have guardian permission).
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Not have served more than three AmeriCorps terms previously.
• Submit to a full background check, including a sex offender registry check, state criminal history registry check, and FBI fingerprint-based check.
• This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations and selection is contingent upon satisfactory results of these checks.
• Speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to navigate online systems and email.