America Reads and America Counts

There are many benefits to tutoring in the America Reads and America Counts programs, including:

• Get paid to have fun with kids - $15/hr
• Personal and professional growth
• Earn a nationally recognized certification as a CRLA tutor
• Network contacts
• Valuable work experience
• Make a positive difference in your community
• Fulfill community-based learning requirements
• Discover potential career paths
• Students of all majors can benefit from giving back to their community. America Reads and America Counts are also great opportunities for students who are undecided on a major to gain exposure to a fun and exciting career path!

Students accepted into the America Reads and Counts program are expected to:

• Complete tutor training
• Tutor at least once per week
• Commit to the full semester (the whole academic year is preferred)
• Attend monthly staff meetings on campus
• Uphold Inver Hills Community College, school district, local, state, and federal laws, policies, and practices.

Eligible students:

• Have been awarded work study funds through FAFSA (we can check your eligibility if you're not sure).
• Are currently enrolled in at least six credits at Inver Hills Community College.
• Will consent to a background check and fingerprinting due to working with minors.
• Can provide their own transportation (travel time is paid).
• Will commit to tutoring for a full semester.
• Any student, regardless of major, can participate in America Reads and Counts as long as they fulfill the above requirements.

Note: Students considering tutoring math above grade 5 must feel confident in algebra skills.

Step 1: Apply

Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year; apply any time!

Complete the America Reads Application

• Determine if you are work-study eligible through financial aid (we can help you with this if you're unsure)
• After we have received your application and have determined that you are eligible for work-study funds through financial aid, we will contact you to set up an interview.

Step 2: Prepare

• Complete tax and payroll forms through Financial Aid for work study job.
• Complete training and orientation.
• Complete the background check process through the tutoring location.

Step 3: Tutor

Our tutoring locations are established programs with our community partners in St Paul and West St Paul:

Reading Partners

• Various shifts/Daytime Monday through Thursday.
• One-on-one reading tutoring with students at Benjamin E. Mays Magnet School (St Paul), Maxfield Elementary School (St Paul) and Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Elementary School (St Paul).

Boys and Girls Club Twin Cities

• Assist Boys and Girls Club staff with STARS program (reading for 5-9 year olds) after school. See locations.

East Side Learning Center

• Various shifts/Daytime Monday through Thursday.
• One-on-one reading tutoring with kids in grades K-3.

CommonBond Communities, Torre de San Miguel Homes

• Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Located in West St Paul, the CommonBond Communities after-school program, Study Buddies, will match you with a student to help with reading and math. Tailored curriculum and activities are provided, as well as tutor trainings and on-site staff support.
• Do you have your own placement idea at a school not listed here?
• There is an opportunity to set up your own placement or to tutor at an Inver Grove Heights elementary school, although these placements will not be as structured and will require more confidence and initiative in working with children.