The Fellowship

Apply today for the 2025-26 school year!

Reading Assist Fellows dedicate a school year of service and help struggling readers most in need of help.

August/September 2025

Training runs for 3 weeks beginning in August or September of 2025

August/September 2025 - June 2026

School service begins in August or September 2025 and ends in June 2026

Positions Available

Full-day, half-day, and 3-day/week positions available

About the Fellowship

Reading Assist Fellows serve in elementary schools across Delaware, in Chester PA, and Washington DC, providing reading instruction to students in kindergarten through third grade who face significant reading challenges. Fellows teach foundational reading skills to students who might never learn to read through traditional classroom education.  

Fellows typically work with 10 or more students 1:1 or 1:2 for 30-40 minutes each day and meet with an experienced coach every week for support and feedback.

The Reading Assist Fellowship, an AmeriCorps program, requires 1200 service hours (900 if part-time) to be completed between August 25, 2025 through June 12, 2026, or, September 22, 2025 through June 12, 2026.

Fellows begin with 3 weeks of full-time, graduate-level training and then are embedded into high-needs elementary schools. Training takes place in-person at our Wilmington, Dover, or Washington DC training sites. 

Reading Assist Fellows receive many benefits, including:

  • A monthly living allowance, paid in bi-weekly installments (currently in Delaware/Pennsylvania $1,000 for full-time and $700 part-time pretax; Washington, DC $1,300 full-time and $900 part-time pretax)
  • A $5,100 education award* (determined by the Pell Grant) upon successful completion of 1200 service hours ($3,600 for part-time, 900 service hours)**
  • A $500 relocation allowance if moving 50 miles or more to serve 
  • Student loan deferment  
  • An opportunity to receive professional certification in reading intervention (August and September sessions only) 
  • Resume-building professional experience  
  • Education sector exposure  
  • Healthcare benefits (full-time only) 
  • Childcare (if needed) 

*Members who are 55 years of age or older when they begin service may gift the education award to a child or grandchild. 

** Education award determined by hours served.

We seek passionate, capable tutors willing to serve the students and the community. You do not need teaching experience, but you must be ready to commit to students for the entire school year.

  • Willingness to commit to a full school year of service working daily in schools:

– Full-time: 38-40 hours/week, Monday-Friday from approximately 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (plus planning time)
– Part-time: 26-28 hours/week, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. OR Tuesday-Thursday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (plus planning time)

  • Ability to blend, segment, and manipulate sounds within words 
  • Willingness to work with children in kindergarten through third grade, including children who may have behavioral challenges in addition to academic needs 
  • Interest in literacy, education, and community service 
  • Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and professionalism 
  • Maintain a patient and flexible mindset 
  • Openness to constructive feedback 
  • Complete an AmeriCorps application
  • Submit to background checks and fingerprints 
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien 
  • College degree preferred 
  • Must be proficient with Google Classroom, Zoom, PowerPoint, and email 
  • Must have a computer (laptop or desktop) 
  • Proficiency in Spanish a plus

Get answers to frequently asked questions.

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ready to Apply?

Change the life of a struggling reader while you gain professional experience.