AmeriCorps Reading Tutor

What You’ll Do

Joyful Readers AmeriCorps Reading Tutor provide small group reading tutoring to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Our tutors meet with 2 students at a time, making sure they can provide the attention students need to get caught up on critical reading skills.

Your fellowship starts September 1st with three weeks of full-time training alongside the other tutors in your cohort. We dive deep into training you on how to build great relationships with students and teachers and become an effective tutor.

In late September, you will be placed in a Philadelphia elementary school until early June. You’ll provide half-hour sessions of reading intervention to 10–11 pairs of students daily, 5 days per week. Every week, you’ll meet with your literacy coach to get feedback and support. Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with staff at your school and connect with the Joyful Readers Tutors and staff serving around the city.

The Joyful Readers team is there to make sure that your year is successful and effective. We’re here to support you as you help students learn to read!

Benefits

As a Joyful Readers AmeriCorps Reading Tutor, you’ll receive more than just a stipend—you’ll gain meaningful experience, professional development, and the chance to explore a future in education:

• A $2,100 monthly living allowance (broken into two payments of $1,050 paid at the middle and end of each month) 
• An education award of over $5,000 that can be used to go to school or pay back federal student loans* upon successful completion of the service year
•  *Members who are 55 years of age or older when they begin service may gift the education award to child or grandchild. Members may split the award between two children or grandchildren.  
• Health and Dental Insurance Reimbursement (if needed) 
• Loan forbearance and interest accrual payments for qualified student loans
• Childcare benefits paid by AmeriCorps (if needed) 
• The opportunity to earn graduate/undergraduate credits 
• As part of their training, our tutors take a course in reading instruction accredited by Arcadia University. Tutors with bachelor’s degrees can earn 3 graduate credits by passing the course, fully paid for by Joyful Readers 
• A resume-building professional experience that provides experience in education, teamwork, data analysis, communication and more 
• Most importantly, the opportunity to change the lives of Philadelphia students! 

Who You Are

Whether you're considering a future in teaching, exploring a new career path, retired or simply passionate about helping students succeed, this role is a great place to start. It’s an ideal opportunity for aspiring educators to gain hands-on experience in schools—and for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact by supporting students who need extra academic help.

We think a lot of people have the potential to be great tutors.

To be eligible to serve with Joyful Readers you must:

• Be available to serve full-time September 1 through May 28
• Be able to blend, segment, and manipulate sounds within words
• Enjoy helping kids in grades K-3
• Be at least 18 years old by August 15, 2026
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
• Have at least a high school diploma or GED
• Agree to complete a background check

Joyful Readers is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

Visit https://joyfulreaders.org/apply-to-serve/ to submit your application online.