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| Americorps grant provides reading position at Hartley |
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Posted: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 8:05 am
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By RUTH ANN HAGER
Staff Writer
WASECA — According to the Minnesota Reading Corps, 20 percent of Minnesota third graders don’t read as well as they should.
“Minnesota Reading Corps is working to change that, with the goal of helping all Minnesota children to become successful readers. It’s a growing, successful program that, using AmeriCorps members, provides free in-school literacy tutoring to children ages 3 through third grade,” said Shelli Lissick on behalf of Minnesota Reading Corps.
Open positions around the state include a literacy tutor position at Hartley Elementary School in Waseca.
Michelle Krell, principal at Hartley, said she wrote an AmeriCorps grant that allows the school to hire a person to work as an AmeriCorps worker who primarily focuses on improving reading for struggling learners.
“It’s a great opportunity for someone. You get paid a stipend and then get an educational benefit,” she said.
David Lick is the current Minnesota Reading Corps volunteer at Hartley, focusing primarily on early literacy.
“It is well-established by research that learning to read by the end of third grade is extremely important, as fourth grade marks the transition from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn,’” which is critical for students’ further success in school, he said.
Minnesota Reading Corps specifically targets those students who are near national targets, though they may not have yet reached them, said Lick. It is his goal as the volunteer to work with the students daily for 20 minutes, using research-based, targeted interventions to help them achieve those goals, he said.
“Minnesota Reading Corps has been an unbelievably valuable experience for me,” said Lick.
“As the son of two teachers, I have a lifelong passion for education, and although I did not major in education in college, MRC afforded me the opportunity to get into a school, work with amazing kids, and feel like I'm really making a difference. Getting to know the kids and my fellow employees here at Hartley has allowed me to see what an amazing school this truly is.
“I am very hopeful that the ideals of this program, which align so well with the many other programs Hartley already has in place for closing the achievement gap, can continue, and follow the kids with whom I have worked as they continue to grow. I will never forget this year, the things I have learned, and the people I have met. Although it may be cliché to say, the students here have truly changed my life,” said Lick.
In addition to earning significant experience and a living stipend, Minnesota Reading Corps members receive reimbursement for college (up to $5,350) and health insurance (for full-time members).
Applications are now being accepted for positions throughout the state and are available at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org
For more information, visit the website or call (651) 251-9075 or toll-free (866) 859-2825.
Ruth Ann Hager is at 507- 837-5446 or rhager@wasecacountynews.com. |
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