Family Literacy Program (FLP) Virtual Teaching Artist

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Ready to develop best literacy practices, read good picture books, and create art
while having fun with children and families ages 4-8? A Words Alive Family Literacy
Program Teaching Artist, through ZOOM, delivers high-impact programming in a way that is
most accessible by the parents, families, and partners we serve. Teaching Artists help families
with small children learn why exploring books is important for child development and ways to
make it a fun family habit while ensuring families build their home libraries. Words Alive
Teaching Artists meet children and families where they are, with engaging programming and
valuable resources that will set them on a path to become a life-long learner.

The purpose of our Let's Read with Words Alive Family Literacy program is to nurture book-
sharing habits at home by celebrating the power of play as we explore books, talk, write, and
create art anchored in a new story each week. Parents learn research-based strategies to make
reading aloud interactive and joyful. This program is developmentally appropriate for kids ages
4-8 years old, delivered in English and Spanish and includes copies of the books for each child to
keep.

A Family Literacy Program Teaching Artist facilitates, through ZOOM, a 6-week
series of once a week 45-minute Let’s Read sessions which include an interactive
Read Aloud and accompanying craft. Curriculum and all accompanying materials
are provided.

A Teaching Artist is:

• A positive, playful person who can command, virtually or in-person, a room of adults and their children.
• Friendly, likes helping people and loves to learn. The ideal candidate loves watching children’s faces light up during a well-told story and getting adults to those ah-ha! moments that help them feel empowered as their child’s first teacher.
• Easy to talk to and can explain just about anything to anyone.
• Well-organized and pays attention to the details. They stay focused and can think on their feet. As far as the ideal candidate is concerned, anything worth doing, is worth doing right, every single time.
• Reliable and always on time, since consistency is key when helping families build new habits.
• Committed to eyes-wide-open focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
• Deeply motivated by the power of reading!

Position Responsibilities:

• Read designated books and curriculum guides prior to facilitating the weekly Let’s Read session
• Support an environment where all children and families feel engaged and safe by using inclusive language and practices.

• Use the Let’s Read Curriculum to facilitate all sessions prepared to create an engaging learning environment, lead interactive Read Alouds, and demonstrate crafting activities
• Attend all Words Alive sponsored Volunteer Trainings
• Communicate regularly with the Family Literacy Program Manager.

Criteria:

• Submit Volunteer Application
• Attend Volunteer Orientation and program training
• Computer literate
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work well and collaborate with others
• Accountable, dependable, and organized
• Submits background check

When we return to in-person programs:

• Proof of negative tuberculosis test (TB) results
• COVID requirements: provide proof of vaccination card, complete COVID waiver, wears a mask during in-person sessions.