The Adult Literacy Corps Member will serve as an AmeriCorps Member to expand adult education and literacy instruction for adult learners in Duval County. Service would include providing reading and math instruction to adults through one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction, or topic focused workshops. Members will help the students develop goals and conduct contextual learning activities that incorporate those goals. Overall instruction can also include other forms of literacy including such as financial, health, family and digital literacy.
Service Activities
AmeriCorps Members will be involved in many aspects of adult education including the following:
- Conducting or assisting in small group instruction on basic reading, language arts and math topics to adult learners reading below a high-school level.
- Coach adult learners in use of digital learning tools and digital literacy through one on one assistance or in small group sessions.
- Present workshops that connect literacy skills to real life scenarios with a focus on Financial Literacy, Health Literacy, Digital Literacy, Family Literacy, and Career Development.
- Individual coaching, mentoring, and encouragement to keep adult learners engaged, motivated and regularly attending instruction
- Conduct initial assessment and goal setting interviews with new students
Community Need Addressed
According to the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), 21% of adults in Duval county perform at a beginning literacy level. Students at this level struggle to understand basic vocabulary and will have considerable difficulty comprehending print material. At the most, they can read short texts or perform simple tasks such as filling out a basic form. An additional 34% of Duval County adults are estimated to perform at a low to intermediate level, indicating that they are nearing proficiency but will still struggle in working with information and ideas in text or in performing tasks with text based information. This means that 55% of the local adult population is in need of some form of literacy skills instruction.
Position Outcomes
Adult Literacy Corps Members will help adult learners improve their overall literacy and numeracy skills through tutoring and small group instruction. With those improvements, adults are better able to secure and maintain employment, vote, participate in the civic process, maintain their health and the health of their families, monitor their finances, and help their own children learn to read.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
- Helping adult learners improve their literacy and math skills to improve job prospects, continue their education, and increase their quality of life.
- Networking with other community organizations and workspace in the Jessie Ball duPont Center in downtown Jacksonville
- Comprehensive training and professional development.
Education Benefits
College Degree, Credential or Certification
The Literacy Alliance particularly supports Members working to attain college degrees in education, human services, or related fields and certifications in teaching, adult education, or related careers.
Skills you will gain
Program and project planning, teaching and lesson planning techniques, curriculum development, goal setting, time management, evaluation and assessment, and data analysis. Time management, planning, data analysis, organization, curriculum development, instructional techniques, teaching skills.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment