Penn Reading Initiative Graduate Student Coordinator

Penn Reading Initiative Graduate Student Coordinator

Hours per week: 10. This can flexibly expand to 15 or 20 hrs/wk if interested/available

Wage rate: $12

Workstudy required for summer session 1 or 2
Workstudy preferred but not required for Academic Year

Description

PRI is seeking one or two Penn graduate student coordinators who will support the operations and development of the Penn Reading Initiative (PRI). He/she will work closely with the undergraduate PRI leadership.

Start date is flexible and can be as soon as May 21st if you qualify for summer workstudy. The ideal candidate will start no later than August 27 (in time to help recruit and orient new tutors for the academic year).

Penn Reading Initiative (PRI) is a Penn student-run tutoring program that was developed through Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses that were taught by Dr. William Labov, Professor of Linguistics (now emeritus), and the Penn Linguistics Laboratory. Dr. Labov and the students created a literacy curriculum that provides tutors with essential knowledge for the teaching of reading, along with procedures for assessing the results. PRI tutors use "The Reading Road," a curriculum that includes lessons, stories, and games designed to engage the interest of struggling readers, particularly from grades 1-4. This program work with the Netter Center's university-assisted community school partners in West Philadelphia.

For more information on PRI: https://www.nettercenter.upenn.edu/what-we-do/programs/university-assist...

PRI tutors are work study students or volunteers. Volunteer tutors typically devote 2-3 hours per week and work study tutors typically devote 4-10 hours/week (over one, two or three sessions of tutoring) at one of the Netter Center's partner K-8 schools. The tutors are provided with training and guidance for using the Reading Road curriculum.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the below:

-August through May, approximately 10-15 hours/week

-Review current curriculum and program materials; make modifications as needed

-Review and update training material for PRI tutors

-Recruit PRI tutors

-Meet and coordinate with Netter Center staff and school teachers to discuss effective placement of PRI tutors

-Oversee overall logistics of the program, which includes placing tutors, coordinating transportation, ensuring that all paperwork and clearances is completed and turned in. This also includes working with the undergraduate leadership team to divvy up these tasks.

-Convene regular meetings with undergraduate leadership and PRI tutors

-Help to facilitate training and provide spaces for on-going reflection and training for tutors

-Serve as the main liaison between PRI student arms of the program, Netter Center staff, and school staff

-Maintain upkeep of curriculum and program materials

-Collect regular feedback from Penn tutors, K-8 students and teacher partners

-Collect data that tracks the impact of PRI on K-8 student's reading level

 

Qualifications

PRI is seeking to hire highly-organized and hard-working Penn graduate students with comfort and fluency in literacy education. Prior work with K-8 students, particularly in early literacy, highly preferred. Prior experience managing and training a team of undergraduate students is a plus, but not required.

 

Additional Instructions

Interested applicants email resume and cover letter to Regina Bynum, bynumr@sas.upenn.edu