Washington Reading Corps (Americorps) Position Description

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Coalition for Refugees from Burma

Washington Reading Corps Member

Full-Time (40 hrs/week)

Background: Founded in 2009, the mission of Coalition for Refugees from Burma (CRB) is to promote the self-sufficiency of all resettled refugees by helping them access educational opportunities while preserving traditional customs. CRB provides educational opportunities that enable newly arrived refugees to be successful and thrive in their new surroundings. We are committed to building community capacity, working towards educational equity and increasing access to high quality education from birth to adulthood, for all refugee families living in south King County of Washington State.

Scope of Work: For the past 7 years, CRB has partnered with Kent and Seattle School Districts to provide services to ensure ELL (English Language Learner) and refugee youth are successful in school and beyond. To do so, CRB provides a variety of educational support programming for students, their families, and school personnel. Programming includes: educational workshops for parents focused on navigating and engaging with the school system, workshops for youth focusing on the transition to college, direct mentoring and tutoring for students, assistance at parent-teacher conferences, and other general support. CRB’s Youth Education Program provides academic support to K-12 students from Burma, Iraq, Bhutan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Brief Description: WRC members will engage in direct-service K-4 literacy tutoring (one-on-one or in small groups) AND program development in an elementary school and community-based setting. They will participate in the weekly planning, coordination and facilitation of one or more after-school reading program(s). Members will also support recruitment of community volunteer tutors for after-school reading programs and/or home tutoring programs, enhance or create community volunteer systems, work with English language learners and coordinate activities to increase English proficiency, plan and facilitate family and community involvement events and projects, develop or expand existing volunteer recognition program, and build community-based resources that can be shared within and between schools. WRC members’ service will make a great deal of positive change in the lives of our young students!

Americorps & Washington Reading Corps: AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connect more than 70,000 Americans each year with service positions to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. In 1998, the Washington Reading Corps program was created through a collaboration between the Governor’s office, the Washington State Commission for National and Community Service, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Washington Service Corps. This program solely focuses on improving literacy in children and students, placing Americorps members in schools and early learning centers who provide tutoring to struggling readers.

What do WRC members receive for their service?

• Living stipend of $1,450 per month (before taxes) provided by Washington Service Corps (WSC)
• Training and experience
• Subsidized childcare provided by GAP Solutions Inc. (if qualified)
• Health insurance (member only and only if no other health insurance coverage)
• Student loan forbearance on qualifying loans
• $6,095 Education Award provided by National Service Trust upon successful completion of 10.5 month term of service and 1,700 hours of service.

Supervisor

Stefanie Pratt, Reading Program Coordinator

Essential Job Functions:

After-School Reading Program:

• Plan, coordinate and facilitate (or participate in) one or more after-school reading programs for elementary students in a school or community-based setting.
• Provide weekly one-on-one or small group tutoring to elementary students.
• Create and/or enhance weekly lesson plans for after-school reading program.
• Help to procure, inventory and manage program supplies (including books and snacks).
• Track and enter student attendance into database.
• Help to create and enforce a behavior management plan with students.
• Represent CRB at school-community meetings to provide updates on after-school programming and to stay informed about upcoming school-based events or relevant issues.
• Create and/or enhance existing observation checklists measuring student growth.
• Assist program manager to communicate with the families of students enrolled in the after-school program.
• Communicate with school staff, including teachers and administrators, on a consistent basis.
• Write monthly progress notes detailing program activities and student achievements.
• Assist program manager to expand program to other school or community sites (if applicable).

Volunteer Recruitment:

• Recruit volunteers to serve in after-school reading program(s).
• Provide orientation and/or training to volunteer tutors.
• Communicate with program staff and volunteers regarding weekly program activities.
• Support program manager with volunteer and program staff management.
• Ensure volunteer and program staff have the necessary tools to be successful tutors with their students.
• Support and enhance CRB’s existing community volunteer systems.

Parent Engagement:

• Support program manager with the development, coordination, recruitment and facilitation of monthly parent workshops.
• Attend school-based parent engagement events, such as "coffee chats" and "literacy nights".
• Help to plan, coordinate and facilitate parents and community involvement events.

ther:

• Assist Program Manager to finalize program reports at the mid-term and conclusion of the school year.
• Abide by all of CRB’s established protocols, codes of conduct and procedures.

Qualifications

• A high school education or the equivalent required.
• Demonstrated history of service or volunteerism required.
• Experience tutoring elementary aged students desired.
• Experience in volunteer management desired.
• Ability to adapt tutoring style to changing situations.
• A demonstrated tutoring style that is patient, compassionate and caring towards students.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to commit to and serve at least the minimum required hours for the program and be able to successfully complete full term of service.
• Must pass Kent School District background check.

Americorps Candidate Eligibility Requirements

Selected members should demonstrate the skills and commitment required to successfully serve in the position, serve 40 hours a week and meet the 1,700 minimum hour requirement for a full 10.5 month term of service. At a minimum, the following criteria must be met:

• Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident (must submit proof as defined by CNCS regulation)
• Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service (17 years of age with signed parental consent form)
• Members in tutoring positions must have a high school diploma or GED at time of enrollment
• Pass required National Service Criminal History Checks
• Not be listed on the National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR)

Application Process

Please apply through the Americorps website (our position description is listed here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=73521&fromSearch=true OR send resume and cover letter to Stefanie Pratt at stefanie@allburmarefugees.org.