Program Specialist - AmeriCorps SPARK Tutor

Position Summary:

SPARK Early Literacy is looking for patient, compassionate, driven tutors to join our successful and welcoming team that values flexibility, empathy, and professional development.  We serve K5-3rd grade struggling readers using one-on-one 30-minute in-person tutoring sessions. You will be trained to teach foundational reading skills as well as social emotional skills to improve a student’s well-being.  As an AmeriCorps member you will tutor 2-3 days a week, 4-5 hours each day between 8am-4pm during the school day to complete your AmeriCorps term of service. We consider your current schedule as we build your permanent tutoring schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Adhere to tutoring schedule built for you seeing your students 2-3x per week.
• Learn and follow in-person SPARK program format.
• Create and maintain detailed lesson plan binder for assigned students.
• Meet all deadlines for lesson preparation and reporting criteria.
• Diagnose student needs through active listening and questioning strategies.
• Establish and maintain a positive rapport with SPARK staff, school staff, and parents.
• Work with your Program Manager all year to enhance your tutoring skills.
• Attend mandatory trainings that occur during regularly scheduled hours.
• Provide guidance and direction to SPARK students in the areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles, social emotional learning, civic and community engagement.
• Participate in programs, projects, and special events as time permits.

Education Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalency.

 Experience Requirements:

• Experience and/or desire to work and relate to students grades K5-3rd
• Experience in early literacy instruction a plus.

Other AmeriCorps Requirements:

• Proof of Citizenship
• Expanded back-ground check, including FBI fingerprinting.

Skills:

• Ability to adapt teaching style, and beliefs, to coincide with those of the program.
• Prior experience collaborating as a team player.
• Ability and willingness to take direction.
• Highly organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to motivate and encourage students to improve their skills.
• Ability to relate effectively with diverse population.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written.
• Must have reliable means of transportation for in-person tutoring.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this service, the member is regularly required to sit and use hands to touch, handle, or feel.  The member is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.  The member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

BGCGM provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. BGCGM complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. Auxiliary Aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. If you need this material interpreted to a language you understand or in a different format, or need assistance in accessing services, please contact us at 414-267-8100.  Deaf, hearing or speech impaired callers may reach us by the Wisconsin Relay number 711.

Position Environment:

The position environment characteristics described here are representative of those a member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.