---

America’s Reading Corps public service program came into Bailey Milligan’s life at just the right time.  As a  fresh college grad with a  literature and English major, she was working at a daycare center,  but looking for something more in line with her academic skill set.  

Milligan came across the AmeriCorps opportunity and “Reading Corps” division (there’s also Math Corps) and saw openings for people to work with gradeschoolers improving their literacy, right in her hometown school district of North Branch.

Milligan signed up.  It was “super easy on-line” she said and AmeriCorps responded right away. Training (50 hours) was quickly provided allowing her to start at the North Branch district in the middle of last year.  

Milligan took a fulltime slot, receiving a roster of 17 students grades K through three.  

The school provided space to do prep at the start of the school day and she worked with her kids in the designated “learning area” near wherever the student was based.  

Milligan explained that she interacted regularly with teachers who could describe individual areas where students needed attention.  These might include pronunciation, reading speed, etc.
Sunrise River Elementary School Assistant Principal Rebecca Johnson said last school year was her third season working with AmeriCorps volunteers and she has seen the difference they make.  Johnson’s role is “internal coach” and she checked in regularly with three Sunrise River Elementary tutors last year. There are seven positions open for this coming year. The program was able to serve about 68 students in total, they enter on recommendation and “exit” or graduate at various times when they achieve reading proficiency so the number fluctuates.
Johnson stated the “One on one attention” with the readers is the key to “a majority of students hitting their goals,” Johnson added.

Throughout the school year the tutors meet with staff at the school for advice  and a “master coach” reviews the reading data and works with tutors in this region, Johnson explained.
Milligan said Reading Corps is not about working with non-readers.  These kids are just in need of practice and focused attention. The sessions with the youth, or interventions, last about 20 minutes and at times there may be two or three students sitting down with a tutor.

Milligan saw 10 kids “exit” of her 17 and some were sad to say goodbye.  

The whole experience was “right up my alley,” she shared.  So much so,  that she’s thinking about teaching kindergarten.

Minnesota Reading Corps Communications Manager Darcie Moore says people who participate certainly don’t have to pursue public education jobs professionally.  

Most Reading Corps volunteers, Moore continued,  tend to be in between jobs, investigating fields,  or downsizing their hours maybe entering semi-retirement.  Many simply want to give back to their community or to their own child’s school.


People of all ages are involved, Moore added.  “And it’s perfect because it aligns with the school year, you don’t work late or on holidays, weekends.”

The Education Award ($5,000 approximately) given to fulltime volunteers, along with a stipend of $574 every two weeks. The award can be applied to your own schooling or outstanding debt.  If you are over age 55 put he award towards  a child’s or grandchild’s education expenses. You have 10 years to expend your award.

Moore explains that the goal of Reading Corps is reaching students who just need a little extra practice and work on their technique.

The hope is to get kids meeting measurements for  proficiency in grade three reading skills.  This is the age where  all the learning assessments predict youngsters who are struggling tend to just fall further and further behind academically.

Reading Corps also monitors the students for weeks after they exit to make sure they don’t “backslide” Moore added.

Milligan mentions that the staff in North Branch were very helpful and supportive.  Some  remembered her from when she had them for teachers in school.  She even signed up to help out at district-related community events.  She’s taking a dog obedience course through Community Ed that she might not have, before getting to know the staff better.  

“I have lived here my whole life and I had a really good experience going through school...I liked all my teachers.  I want kids that I work with to enjoy North Branch.”

Reading Corps is one of the most effective literacy programs nationwide, according to a University of Chicago study.  One in three Minnesota third graders is not reading at grade level.  Moore said the math and reading program expects to train 20,000 volunteers for starting  this fall.

Fulltime and part time tutors can participate.

Chisago Lakes has a part time reading opening at Primary and a fulltime math opening at Lakeside.

Please see wwwreadingandmath.net or call 866-859-2825.

---