What is America Reads at UVM?
The University of Vermont's America Reads project extends the university's
commitment to children who are experiencing difficulty in learning to read
and write and/or are challenged by the financial needs of their family and
community. The America Reads project is affiliated with UVM's Department
of Education which has developed long standing relationships with the area
elementary schools and works closely with those who are invested in
maximizing the potential of young children. The America Reads project has
also formed partnerships with businesses and other agencies in the
community to help expand, support and increase opportunities for
children's literacy.

What is AmeriCorps*VISTA at UVM?
As an AmeriCorps*VISTA at the University of Vermont you will work as part
of a team which includes, UVM's Director of America Reads, the literacy
support seminar course instructors, and other AmeriCorps*VISTA
members to assist in the overall planning, implementation, and evaluation
of all America Reads projects. Some of the job responsibilities include:
 

• Recruitment and management of work-study and volunteers involved in UVM America Reads
• On-going communication with schools and agencies participating in UVM America Reads
• Development of new partnerships within area communities
• Working with children to help support their early literacy learning
• On-going development and revision of materials e.g. handbooks for site supervisors, recruitment materials
• Maintenance and development of UVM America Reads professional resource libraries and children's book libraries on campus and at various schools
• Assistance to school site supervisors and course instructors in supervision and training of tutors
• Continued support and facilitation of literacy opportunities at King  Street Youth Center, Boys and Girls Club, and other after school programs

 

• Excellent skills in writing and speaking
• A love for children's books
• Enjoy working with a broad range of adults & children in many contexts, both formal and informal
• Anticipates opportunities and challenges for the overall project and shows initiative and interest in pursuing them
• Flexible, good sense of humor, organized
• Curious and interested in learning about early literacy and the complex nature of partnerships and collaborations.

America Counts AmeriCorps*VISTA at the University of Vermont
 

What is America Counts?
America Counts  will build on the success of the America Reads Challenge
(which is an initiative to ensure that all children become independent
readers by the end of grade three.) America Counts strives to ensure that
students master basic computational skills and the foundations of algebra
and geometry by 8th or 9th grade. It is essentially a five point challenge
to improve mathematics achievement for all of the nation's school
children.

Among the goals of America Counts:

• Provide help, personal attention and additional learning

• Equip teachers to teach challenging mathematics by

• Provide a more challenging and engaging curriculum for all

• Ensure that local, state and federal resources are

• Build public understanding of the mathematics our students

What is America Counts at UVM?
UVM's America Counts project will start up in September 1999 and will be
closely paired with UVM's America Reads project (which has been operating
since fall 1997.) The America Counts project will be affiliated with UVM's
Department of Education which has developed long standing relationships
with the area elementary schools and works closely with those who are
invested in maximizing the potential of young children.

What is AmeriCorps*VISTA at UVM?
As an AmeriCorps*VISTA at the University of Vermont you will work as part
of a team which includes, UVM's Director of America Reads/Counts, the math
support seminar course instructors, and other AmeriCorps*VISTA
members to assist in the overall planning, implementation, and evaluation
of all America Counts projects.

Some of the job responsibilities include:
 

• Recruitment and management of work-study and volunteers

• On-going communication with schools and agencies participating in

• Development of new partnerships within area communities
• Working with children to help support their learning of math skills
• On-going development and revision of materials e.g. handbooks for

• Maintenance and development of UVM America Counts resources and

• Assistance to school site supervisors and course instructors in

• Continued support and facilitation of math enrichment opportunities

What skills, knowledge and dispositions does someone need to work with
UVM's America Reads?

• Excellent skills in writing and speaking
• Background knowledge and expertise in math
• Enjoy working with a broad range of adults & children in many

• Anticipates opportunities and challenges for the overall project

• Flexible, good sense of humor, organized
• Curious and interested in learning about math related research