America Reads
The America Reads Program @ Penn State
Federal Work-Study Positions are Available for Students Interested in Having a Positive Influence on Children
America Reads @ Penn State is looking for college students to serve in schools, child-care centers, and other community nonprofit organizations. The America Reads program provides support to teachers, caregivers, parents and librarians in order to enhance children’s language learning and reading. The program not only gives college students an opportunity for part-time employment, but it also provides them with a rich service learning experience.
The participating students concur. “Working with kids is the most rewarding activity I have ever done and is part of the reason I want to become a teacher,” said Jasmine Walwer, a freshman majoring in elementary education. “The kids I worked with at St. Paul's were great and always made me smile.”
Alicia Owen added, “Even though my major involves working with high school-age students, America Reads was a great opportunity to explore a different level of education. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Montessori preschool. It made me consider getting dual certification in both secondary and early childhood education.” Students of any major are welcome to participate. Leanne McConnell, for example, is a junior majoring in civil engineering. She noted, “I do not think of this as my job because there is never a dull day working with kids. I see this as more of an opportunity to help and mostly be helped. The greatest skill I have learned is patience.”
“I do not think of this as my job because there is never a dull day working with kids. I see this as more of an opportunity to help and mostly be helped. The greatest skill I have learned is patience.”
Another participating student, Megan Warner, is majoring in kinesiology, health and physical education with a minor in special education. ”This experience is definitely something that has and will continue to help me in my major,” she said. ”I absolutely love every moment that I spend with the children at Easter Seals -- there is never a dull moment.”
America Reads participants earn $10 per hour. They may work up to 20 hours per week when University classes are in session, and up to 40 hours when classes are in recess. Work hours are flexible.
Applications are open to students enrolled in any major at all Penn State campuses, as well as students enrolled through the World Campus. In addition, students with summer work-study awards can find placement sites close to their homes.
Story excerpt from America Reads at Penn State seeks students for work-study positions for full article see http://live.psu.edu/story/53440
