Location(s): Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities suburbs including, but not limited to, Bloomington, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and Burnsville. Statewide locations include Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, Grand Rapids, Moorhead, Mankato, and many rural locations. Over 300 site locations in Minnesota.
Organization
Minnesota Reading Corps is a program that is working to ensure all Minnesota children are on track to read by the end of the 3rd grade. We do this by training and placing AmeriCorps members in elementary and preschool settings across Minnesota.
By joining MRC, you’ll not only make a difference in children’s lives, but the training and experience you gain will benefit your own career. This is a chance to do your part in building our communities while gaining real responsibility, learning professional communication, and other valuable career skills.
Position Description
Gain experience by helping Minnesota’s youngest readers! MRC is an AmeriCorps program that is helping improve literacy skills among our youngest generation.
Why join? You can prevent children from falling through the cracks and gain professional experience at the same time. With MRC you will build career skills, real responsibility and network with professionals for one year. Also, full-time members receive free health care coverage, federal loan deferment, a biweekly stipend of $490, and an education award of $5,350. Part-time members receive a biweekly stipend of $245, student loan deferment, and an education award of $2,675.
What will you do? There are two member position types available: Classroom Member (Pre-K age group) and Literacy Tutor (K-3 age group). All members will be trained to provide proven, data-driven literacy models to at-risk children. In addition, all members engage in their communities outside of their tutoring services.
Literacy Tutors work one-on-one with K-3 children who need help learning to read. The member will use prescribed literacy interventions and will conduct weekly progress monitoring to ensure the student is on track to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
Classroom Members are embedded into a classroom of children ages 3-5 to develop children’s early literacy skills in preparation for kindergarten. The member collaborates with the classroom teaching staff to enhance daily literacy opportunities and conduct literacy assessments to ensure children are on track to read by the end of 3rd grade.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or GED and must be at least 18-years old
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Strong interest in education, specifically helping children develop early language and literacy skills
Experience working with children, preferably in an early childhood setting or as a literacy tutor
Dedication to community service
Computer skills, including the ability to navigate and use online database systems and e-mail
Speak, read, and write English fluently
Responsible, organized, flexible, motivated, professional
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to make a commitment to complete 11 months of service (August 2010-June 30, 2011)
Preferred Qualifications
College coursework, college degree, or equivalent work experience
Minnesota Reading Corps is committed to the inclusion of all individuals regardless of disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.
