Reading Tutor Fellow
What You’ll Do
Joyful Readers Tutor Fellows provide small group reading tutoring to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Our tutors meet with 2 students at a time, making sure they can provide the attention students need to get caught up on critical reading skills.
Your fellowship starts September 3 with three weeks of full-time training alongside the other tutors in your cohort. We dive deep into training you on how to build great relationships with students and teachers and become an effective tutor.
In late September, you will be placed in a Philadelphia elementary school until mid-May. You’ll provide half-hour sessions of reading intervention to 10–11 pairs of students daily, 5 days per week. Every week, you’ll meet with your literacy coach to get feedback and support. Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with staff at your school and connect with the Joyful Readers Tutor Fellows and staff serving around the city.
The Joyful Readers team is there to make sure that your year is successful and effective. We’re here to support you as you help students learn to read!
Benefits
As a Joyful Readers Tutor Fellow, you’ll receive more than just a stipend—you’ll gain meaningful experience, professional development, and the chance to explore a future in education:
- $2,100 monthly stipend, paid in two installments of $1,050 at mid-month and end-of-month
- Health and dental insurance reimbursement, if needed
- A resume-building fellowship experience that builds skills in education, teamwork, data analysis, communication, and student support
- The opportunity to explore a potential teaching career in a low-risk, high-support environment—ideal for those considering education as a profession
- Ongoing coaching and training, with structured opportunities to reflect, grow, and build instructional confidence
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Academic credit opportunities:
- Tutors complete a reading instruction course accredited by Arcadia University. Those with a bachelor’s degree can earn 3 graduate credits at no cost
- Tutors working toward a bachelor’s degree in education can enroll tuition-free in Western Governors University’s online program
- And most importantly, the opportunity to change the lives of Philadelphia students—one reader at a time
Who You Are
Whether you're considering a future in teaching, exploring a new career path, retired or simply passionate about helping students succeed, this role is a great place to start. It’s an ideal opportunity for aspiring educators to gain hands-on experience in schools—and for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact by supporting students who need extra academic help.
We think a lot of people have the potential to be great tutors.
To be eligible to serve with Joyful Readers you must:
- Be available to serve full-time September 3 through May 15
- Be able to blend, segment, and manipulate sounds within words
- Enjoy helping kids in grades K-3
- Be at least 18 years old by August 15, 2025
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Have at least a high school diploma or GED
- Agree to complete a background check
Joyful Readers is an equal opportunity employer.
How to Apply
Visit https://joyfulreaders.org/apply-to-serve/ to submit your application online.
A Note Regarding our AmeriCorps Affiliation
The Joyful Readers Tutor Fellowship is currently not affiliated with AmeriCorps and is designed exclusively for the 2025-26 school year. If AmeriCorps funding is restored during or before the program year, Joyful Readers reserves the right to convert the fellowship into an official AmeriCorps term of service, which may include new and expanded benefits as well as altered responsibilities and requirements.