The PreK Reading Corps Interventionist is embedded into a classroom of children ages 3 – 5 and serves alongside a teacher to develop children’s early literacy skills in preparation for Kindergarten. Interventionists are trained in research-based early literacy strategies and collaborate with the classroom teaching staff to enhance daily literacy opportunities and conduct literacy assessments to increase the number of children on target with early reading predictors. This is an AmeriCorps service member position.
Service Activities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Early Literacy Instruction and Assessment
• Provide intentional, meaningful, and fun literacy instruction during all parts of the day to improve the early literacy skills of children ages 3 – 5, specifically focusing on early literacy skills that give children the opportunity to talk, read, write, and play every day.
• Enhance the classroom literacy environment, as described in the Early Literacy and Language Classroom Observation (ELLCO), to support the classroom in achieving a “Basic” or better score on the ELLCO by spring.
• Implement elements of the Literacy and Math Rich Schedule, including greeting children at arrival, helping children write their name at sign-in, having “Strive for 5” mealtime conversations, writing a daily message, conducting a Repeated Read Aloud in small group settings, journaling, enhancing literacy during choice time, leading one-on-one and/or small group targeted interventions daily for at-risk children, and leading literacy-rich transitions.
• Provide targeted early literacy support to a minimum of 5-7 children in a one-on-one and/or small group setting using scripted early literacy interventions; achieve a high degree of fidelity to the scripted interventions.
• Assess, with a high level of accuracy, child outcomes and progress using tri-annual benchmark assessments and ongoing progress monitoring assessments.
• Identify students who qualify for targeted one-on-one and/or small group Reading Corps tutoring services based on assessment data with direction from the Internal Coach and Master Coach.
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely documentation of students’ data, including weekly progress scores and interventions using an online database; and maintain confidentiality of all student data
• Participate in on-site coaching sessions (includes observation of the interventionist) two times per month to review student progress, plan, problem-solve, and set goals; act on constructive feedback from coaching sessions.
• Provide opportunities for family literacy involvement for Reading Corps children, including implementing the Reading Corps family literacy intervention - Talk, Read, and Write with Me!
Communication
• Communicate and interact with students in a manner both age and developmentally appropriate.
• Build professional relationships and communicate regularly with classroom teachers, Internal Coach, and the Master Coach regarding schedules, literacy strategies, student progress, etc.
• Communicate effectively with MEC staff and school personnel.
Attendance
• Regular, timely attendance during school hours Monday-Friday, along with before/after school hours as scheduled.
• Commitment to service for the full service term, serving the total commitment of 1,200 hours within the term.
• Attend all required Reading Corps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and coaching sessions including Professional Learning Groups (PLGs) and Member Meet Ups (when applicable); travel as necessary.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
• Support the preschool classroom as assigned by Internal Coach, Master Coach, or Program Coordinator, excluding activities that would displace a staff member or volunteer.
• Attend site-sponsored activities (e.g., family night) and participate in site-sponsored meetings or other activities.
• Attend service projects, as applicable, commemorating September 11, 2001 and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. These may include evening and/or weekend hours.
• Submit ten (10) Great Stories engage in volunteer mobilization, participate in Michigan Education Corps annual events.
Community Need Addressed
Michigan Education Corps PreK Reading Corps seeks to close the achievement gap in literacy in the State of Michigan.
Position Outcomes
To help all Michigan preschoolers be ready for kindergarten by developing early literacy skills.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
Credential or Certification
Individuals serving as a PreK Reading Corps Interventionist and start in August have the opportunity to complete their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential during their service term.
Skills you will gain
data-based decision making, implementation of scripted, evidence-based interventions, and leadership skills
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, 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, Write cleary and effectively
Teamwork
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
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served