America Reads Program

For available positions: please visit our current opportunities webpage

Department: Community Service Learning
Hourly Rate: $7.35
Employment Type: Federal Work Study

What will tutors do?

America Reads tutors will provide tutorial support specifically and exclusively in reading for children in the public schools – grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. Each tutoring session is guided by a teacher at the local school who has expertise in reading. Tutors will attend orientation and training sessions in September at JMU and on-going in-service sessions during the academic year. These sessions are required and are usually in the evenings once a month and are held on the JMU campus.

How will tutors be chosen?

• Eligibility as a Work-study grant recipient (THIS MUST BE VERIFIED IN FINANCIAL AID PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.)
• Completion of an application and all paperwork - You MUST not begin working until a contract with Community Service Learning has been signed OR you will not be paid for the hours worked.
• Participation in a PRE-PLACEMENT ORIENTATION SESSION
• Ability to commit to the responsibilities of a tutor
• Desire to work with young children

How will tutors be placed?

The placement of tutors will be based upon each tutor's availability, needs of the participating schools and transportation consideration. City schools need students between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00p.m. Country schools can use students between 8:30a.m. and 5:30p.m. Several county schools have after-school programs. Each school has a set schedule for when tutors are needed. See Directory in the Community Service Learning office in Wilson 204.

Where are the schools?

Currently, we have partnerships with schools in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City Schools.

How much time will be required?

Tutors determine how much they would like to work based upon their award and school schedule. However, they must commit to the same number of hours each week. Schools and children depend on a consistent and regular schedule. Hours include tutoring in the schools, required monthly training sessions, and meetings with team leaders and other tutors from the same school. In general, tutors can expect to devote approximately 6 - 10 hours per week. Ten (10) hours per week is the maximum a student can work.

How will the tutors be paid?

The rate of pay is $7.35 per hour. Students are only paid for actual hours worked.

This will include all orientation and training sessions, team meetings and in-school tutoring hours. Payment will be made according to terms established by the Federal Work -Study Program.

Is this program right for you?

• Do you enjoy working and have patience with young children?
• Are you interested in contributing to the success of young children while enhancing your educational experience through community service?
• Can you fulfill the following responsibilities as a tutor?
  • Commit to at least one semester of service.
  • Be punctual and show up at your assigned school at the pre-arranged time each week.
  • Attend a PRE-SERVICE ORIENTATION SESSION and ongoing training sessions.
  • Meet regularly with your team leader and fellow tutors
  • Maintain regular communication with teachers at your school.
  • Participate in an exit interview and evaluation at the end of each semester.

To apply:

1. Stop by Wilson 201 with your financial aid verification letter, and pick up application and required forms
2. Complete application and all required forms - return during Orientation session
3. Schedule and attend a pre-service orientation session - you must bring the required two forms of ID to orientation session.