Our Mission:
The America Reads Tutoring Corps is committed to meeting the challenge to have all children reading well and independently by the end of third grade. Our mission is to:
- Enhance kids' literacy skills.
- Provide greater access to books to develop a home library.
- Offer opportunities for kids to read and develop a relationship with a caring young adult.
Our History:
Early elementary is a critical time in a child's development of literacy skills, and research indicates that if a child is not reading at grade level by the end of third grade, they may be at a long-term disadvantage. In August of 1996, President Clinton called upon every American to join his America Reads Challenge to help more children read well and independently by the end of the third grade.
In the Fall of 1997, the Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, the Office of Financial Aid, and the School of Education came together to form the University of Michigan America Reads Tutoring Corps. Since that time, the program has served many thousands of children in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, reaching more than 500 elementary students each year.
Our Tutoring Roles:
Our in-person tutoring role offers a commitment of 5-10 hours per week and allows tutors to work with elementary students in-person during the school day, or after school. Transportation is provided by the Ginsberg Center when needed.
Current Tutors
Work Study Requirement
In order to work with our program, you must have, maintain, and agree to use your current work study award for this program. If your work study award is not sufficient to cover a semester of work, you should not apply for America Reads, as we will require all students to work with work study throughtout the duration of the semester.
School and Site Assignments for All Tutors
- School assignments will be sent out to tutors after site registration. The information will include tutoring site, day/time, and the site contact.
- The link with the addresses of tutoring sites is here.
Getting Paid
- The following forms must be completed or on file as part of the hiring process to ensure eligibility and prompt payment:
- Campus Employment Application (completed on Wolverine Access)
- INS I-9 Employment Verification Form
- State and Federal W-4 forms
- You get paid every two weeks. To get paid on time, you must turn in your timesheet on Wolverine Access every other week by 10am Friday .
Leadership Opportunities
Team Leads: As a team lead, your main responsibility is to provide mentorship, support, and guidance to the tutors on your team. This includes:
- Holding semi-regular team meetings (as determined by your supervisor) to promote community building, share important information with tutors, and check in on their tutoring experience;
- Answering questions from your tutor team and communicating with them on your chosen platform (typically GroupMe and email);
- Additional forms of guidance and community building, as needed.
Team Leads receive additional compensation. To be hired as a Team Lead, a student must have completed at least 1 semester of service with America Reads.
Those interested are required to submit an application and complete an in-person interview.
Prospective Tutors
To be eligible to work with America Reads...
You must:
- Have federal work study.
- Complete a background check.
- Have time in your schedule to participate in America Reads.
- Most sites require a 6-10 hour weekly commitment to tutoring, including 30-60 minutes of travel each way to some sites. Tutoring shifts are set by the community partner. In addition to tutoring, there will be bi-monthly trainings, and bi-weekly meetings with team leads. We also will host educational events that help you to gain additional tutoring skills and gain a deeper understanding of the current education landscape.
- All U-M America Reads tutors must complete Children on Campus online trainings every 12 months. This includes Recognition and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Code of Conduct, Supervision, Safety, and Security, Medical Issues, and the Clery Training.
Interested in becoming an America Reads tutor?
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Please submit an application to become a tutor for Winter 2026. You must have a current work study award to work with the America Reads program. Once you apply, if you are a good match, our team will contact you to set up a brief interview. The application deadline is November 7th, 2025 for Winter 2026.
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Check out this FAQ video that explains more about the America Reads program. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at [email protected].
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Please also plan to attend 1 of these virtual 30-minute info sessions about America Reads, before you apply.
FAQ for Prospective Tutors
What do I need to do to qualify for a job with the America Reads program?
You will need to have some type of formal experience working with youth, ideally in a group setting; this could be volunteer or paid experience. Additionally, you will need to have work study for the year that you apply.
Do I need to be a teacher or in an education program to work with America Reads?
No, You do not need to be a teacher or in a teacher education program to work with America Reads. In fact, many of our students come from all different disciplines, and bring a diverse set of skills, perspectives, and life experiences to our program. We do provide tutors with training for supporting young people’s literacy development. We do require, however, that our tutors come with some background in working with children.
How do I get to the tutoring sites?
We will be assigning a university vehicle to groups of tutors who are going to the same site at the same time. You will need to register to be an eligible driver with the University in order to drive a U-M vehicle. Sometimes students select to commute independent of the group. If you drive your own vehicle, you will be responsible for providing insurance, fuel, and any needed maintenance without University reimbursement.
What is the schedule like?
America Reads has different scheduling options to help accommodate various schedules. We have daytime programs - many of these sites (but not all) - have students tutoring in traditional classroom settings. Additionally, we have a number of after-school programs allowing tutors to work one-on-one and with small groups of students to provide additional enrichment.
Where are the sites?
We work in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Detroit. Please check our sites to see where our community partners are located.
Do I have to work over U-M breaks?
No, you will not work during U-M breaks.
What is the interview process like?
First, you will need to apply for the position. If this is an off-time for the application, you can add your name to the waitlist. After you apply, if selected, you will receive an email asking you to schedule an interview. The interview will be virtual, in a group setting and will include several scenario-based questions on which you will collaborate as well as some more general interview questions which you will answer on your own. For both styles of questions, we recommend using the STAR method and providing specific details as they relate to your interest in working with the program. If you are selected to work with the program after the interview, you will receive an email detailing all of the next steps. Please complete the steps in a timely manner. You will not be able to begin tutoring or be paid until all steps of the hiring process are complete.
What other trainings will I need to complete?
In addition to attending the mandatory training provided by America Reads, you will need to complete all Children on Campus online trainings as well as any orientation connected to the site where you will be working.
Is travel time compensated?
Travel time is compensated based on reasonable travel time to your site, up to 30 minutes each way to Ann Arbor sites, up to 30 minutes each way to Ypsilanti sites, and up to 60 minutes each way to Detroit.
How is site placement determined?
Once you have finished your hiring documents through the University, the America Reads manager will open registration for site placements. You will sign up for the site that works for your schedule.
Are there opportunities to work at more than one site?
You could request to work at more than one site, but, unless you work for the same program, this would involve you needing to complete the orientation and onboarding for each site.
Information for Partner Schools or Sites
America Reads serves youth in our communities by providing free literacy tutoring to children grades K-5.
Why Partner with America Reads?
- Free, consistent tutoring
- Literacy growth and improvement for students
- Meaningful mentorship opportunities for young students
- Community engagement experience for the University of Michigan
- Deepening connection between self and learning
- Partner can participate
- Provides another trusted adult in the child’s corner
- Tutors have access to reliable transportation through the Ginsberg Center
- Tutors undergo a background check through University of Michigan’s Children on Campus, and must complete University safety training on working with minors
- Tutors are also trained in literacy methods, social-emotional support, and other tutoring strategies
- Tutors are paid through federal work study; you can read more about work study here.
* Please note, at this time, the America Reads program is unable to have new partner sites. Please reach out to the America Reads manager if you would like to connect about future tutoring.
What Makes a Good Partnership with America Reads?
- America Reads partners focus on literacy; attempt to include literacy in programming
- K-5 focus
- Willingness to oversee college students – Tutors are young and adaptable, possess self-awareness, but they are not teachers; they need some sort of oversight and guidance
- Openness to communication and providing feedback
- Able to keep track of tutor attendance for compliance purposes
- Site is structured to support students and tutors
- Structures in place that allow students/tutors to thrive and do their work
* Please note, at this time, the America Reads program is unable to have new partner sites. Please reach out to the America Reads manager if you would like to connect about future tutoring.
FAQ for Partner Sites
How many hours per week will America Reads tutors be in classrooms/ at sites?
Tutors typically work 6-10 hours per week, usually 1-2 shifts. This is a paid, work-study program, not a volunteer program. Tutors are expected to attend tutoring consistently. If this schedule is not followed, please let the America Reads manager know right away.
How do you handle Absences?
Students should be consistently attending their tutoring sessions. Tutors do not work on site holidays, or during University vacations and holidays. If a student must be absent due to illness or an academic commitment, they should notify you. If tutoring is cancelled due to weather, facility closure, or other school- or site-related change, please notify the tutoring team along with the America Reads manager.
Do I need to sign off on hours completed?
Yes! This is for accountability. Work study tutors will need to verify their hours with the site coordinator or teacher so that they can be paid by the University work study program.
How do I incorporate tutors into the classroom - what can tutors help with?
Tutors can help with anything literacy-related. Our tutors can work 1-1 or in a small-group setting. Tutors should never be alone with a child or children; there should always be an adult supervisor in the room with them. Some of the ways our tutors can support student learning include reading aloud with them, hearing them read, playing literacy games with students, practicing phonics and decoding skills, and generally helping to foster a love of reading.
In the case of an emergency, what is the role and responsibility of the tutors?
In the case of an emergency, tutors should follow all standard protocols as would any visitor to the school.