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The Who?, What?, When?, Where?,
and Why? of America Reads:
- What?: America Reads
is a national initiative that challenges all Americans to help
children read well and independently by the end of third grade. In
South Florida, Miami-Dade College, Miami-Dade County
Public Schools, and a host of local colleges and universities
have joined forces to provide individualized tutoring to several
thousand struggling children each week at 52 elementary schools
and after school programs throughout the county.
- Who?: Local colleges
and universities hire students in the Federal Work Study Program,
and Miami-Dade County Public Schools provides tutors with an
orientation and training and on-going in-service support. America
Reads tutors are placed at elementary schools or community
after school sites that participate in the program. Tutors
are from Miami-Dade College, Florida International
University, University of Miami, Barry University, Florida
Computer and Business School, Miami Ad School, National School
of Technology, and the Technical Career Institute. At any given time there are approximately 300 students working
as America Reads tutors.
- When?: Tutors must
work 10 – 20 hours a week. Tutors
see a limited number of students and provide one-on-one 30
minute individualized tutoring sessions several times a week
for each child with whom they work. Tutoring
takes place during regular school hours or after school, depending
on the site.
- Why?: There are many reasons to be an America Reads tutor! Make
a difference in a child’s life by giving them the gift
of reading; learn skills that will help you as a parent,
friend, and grandparent later
in life; enhance your resume; be part of an important national initiative;
make an invaluable contribution to our community by getting children
on the right track; have fun; gain work experience; feel great for
the difference you can make!
- Where?: Locally; Miami-Dade College, Barry University, Florida
International University
and the University of Miami actively recruit, train, and hire college
students to tutor.
For 35 years, AmeriCorps*VISTA has
been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty.
Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit
organizations and public agencies throughout the country -- working to
fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase
housing opportunities, to bridge the digital divide.
AmeriCorps*VISTA leave behind all lasting solutions to some of our country's
toughest problems.
For more information on AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA please check
their website at http://www.americorps.org/vista/index.html
Receiving
Federal Work-Study is mandatory for our tutors; THIS IS HOW TUTORS
GET PAID. Here are
three easy steps to guide tutors in the right direction.
-
Fill
out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
months before the tutor wants to join the America
Reads program. This
form can also be completed on-line. Click here for FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov
-
The
FAFSA form will ask for a school code. There will be a listing
of school codes
that correlate to your specific campus. Make sure that the six-digit
school code is accurate.
If the code and the school do not match, this will cause a delay
in your processing application!
For example,
Miami-Dade College North Campus’s school code is
010223.
-
Answer
YES to receive Federal Work Study on the FASFA form.
And then the on-line work is done!
Or stop by the campus Financial Aid office to pick up a form in person.
Q: What is the
America Reads Challenge?
A: America Reads is a national campaign that asks Americans to get involved
in helping children read well and independently by the end of third grade.
Q: Who are the children that are tutored?
A: Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ first-graders whose reading skills
need improvement.
Q: Where can I tutor?
A: Selected Miami-Dade County elementary schools and community agencies.
Q: What are some benefits of working with
the America Reads Program?
A: Some of the benefits are the ability to:
- Change a child’s life forever
- Build your resume
- Receive on job training
- Obtain Professional Experience
- Gain skills that increase your parenting/mentoring effectiveness
- Earn Extra Money
Q: What are the requirements for becoming
a Miami-Dade College America Reads tutor?
A: The Requirements are:
- student must be eligible for Financial Aid/Federal
Work Study.
- student must be enrolled for and
maintain at least 6 credits.
- student must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
- student must be available during school hours.
Q: How much are tutors paid?
A: $6.50 an hour through Federal Work Study.
Q: How many hours per week can tutors work?
A: 10-20 hours a week.
Q: What hours can tutors work?
A: There are opportunities to work Monday through Friday 8 a.m. and 7
p.m. but most sites are at elementary schools that are open from 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
Q: When are tutors paid and how often?
A: Miami-Dade College tutors are paid every other Friday from
Federal Work Study.
Q: Do tutors receive mileage reimbursement?
A: No, tutors do not receive mileage reimbursement.
Q: Is training provided for tutors?
A: Yes, all tutors must attend a two-hour
orientation and then complete a four-hour training on the America Reads
curriculum. Tutors who complete
the orientation and training and are hired by an America Reads site will
be paid for these hours. There
will be mandatory refresher trainings every 6 weeks. All tutors must attend and are paid for these trainings.
Q: When can tutors start to work?
A: After attending a New Tutor Training, held several times each semester.
Q: When is the next training?
A: See America Reads Calendar (spring calendar is being written at the
moment. please check later for availability)
Q: Whom do I contact if I want to start
tutoring?
A: Contact your Campus’ America Reads Coordinator: See
Civic
Responsibility Page
“As
an America Reads tutor for 2 years, I have learned the true value
of patience. It
is taking time out from your busy schedule; it’s setting no limitations
on showing kindness, and it’s having the courage to take charge
in any situation. These
are just a few things that have helped me to become an effective
tutor by getting involved in the children’s lives.”
Jennifer Meda, Miami-Dade College Tutor
“Teaching
a child to read can be frustrating at times, but when that child
reads that first sentence without your help, you get a feeling
of success. I think that most tutors feel happier than the child
who reads the sentence.”
Alegna Reyes, Miami-Dade College Tutor
"America
Reads is the life line for reading success for first graders!"
Annie D. Lavender, Reading Coordinator
“America
Reads was the best program that came about because it proved
successful in my students’ lives. My students feel more secure with their reading and more proud of
themselves, therefore, it makes me happy to see my students enhance
their skills in life. America
Reads is a success for our kids today. I
would not think of changing a thing about our program. I'm
proud of the kids in our program because they are happy to see
me the next year and they are doing much better then they did
before. That's a big gift to me.”
Johnnie WIlliams, Miami-Dade College
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