APS seeking to hire AmeriCorps reading interventionists
ALPENA, Mich. — One in two third graders in the U.S. struggles to read at their grade level.
Alpena Public Schools is working to ensure their students don’t fall behind the curve by hiring AmeriCorps interventionists to promote literacy.
The district is looking to bring in community members this fall who will interact with kindergarten through third grade students to help them reach their literacy benchmarks. APS Instructional Coach, Natalie Gentry, says this kind of specialized attention will help students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for reading.
“Alpena Public School students benefit from daily targeted instruction. They work one on one with the interventionist and, again, it’s targeted skills. We’ve seen great improvement in their reading skills, also in their reading comprehension and just confidence and building a passion for reading.”
Community members from a variety of backgrounds are eligible to apply. The first prerequisite is patience and the desire to educate young children. Other requirements call for candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent, be 18 years or older by the start date, and submit to a background check.
If selected, AmeriCorps members will receive a living allowance in exchange for their work. That’s in addition to the reward of helping a child build a solid foundation for his or her future.
“It approximately $670 bi-weekly after they complete their 1,200 hours of service they receive an education award of up to $4,300 and that education award can be used to pay back federal loans or pay for tuition for other educational expenses,” says Gentry.
To apply, visit https://fs16.formsite.com/servetogrow/tq9g7urfqp/index.htmlÂ
