Washington Reading Corps

Armin Jahr Elementary

The Washington Reading Corps (WRC) is a statewide service program started in 1998 as a partnership between the Governor's Office, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Washington Service Corps (WSC)/AmeriCorps Program. The WSC recruits and provides teams of committed AmeriCorps members to elementary schools in six counties in Western Washington to assist struggling readers improve and gain confidence in their reading skills and to promote literacy in the home.

The mission of the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary is to improve the reading abilities of our K-5th grade students through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations with other Bremerton schools, families, community members, local businesses, and state partners.  

What do our Volunteer Tutors do?

Tutor Responsibilities Include:

• Meeting with Kindergarten through fifth grade students (K-5) and helping them become better readers by encouraging them to read words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories aloud and cheering them on to be confident about their skills and accomplishments.
• Assisting students, one at a time or in small groups, to work on supplemental lessons in reading workbooks appropriate for each grade.
• Recording time spent with each student, the materials covered, & activities completed on session-reporting forms (which will be used to track student development).
• Acting as a positive role model for your students, earning their respect and adoration, and being greatly appreciated by teachers and parents alike!

Who should be a Volunteer?

We are currently looking for volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience, including peer tutors (middle school and high school students), senior citizens, and community groups. Tutor training is provided, & no experience working with children is required. Simply, we are looking for dedicated, caring volunteers who can give as little as 30 minutes of their time each week in order to positively influence a student's growth and academic achievement. What are the Benefits of Volunteering?

There are many personal and professional benefits to volunteering with the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary, including:

• Free Training
• Flexible Scheduling. You choose the grade, the number of students, and the time that works best for your schedule.
• It is a valuable Experience for future teachers, educators, and childcare workers.
• It can be used as a Reference for scholarship, college, and job applications.
• You will be Honored and Appreciated at Armin Jahr Community Events as part of the Armin Jahr Family.
• YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE!

How to Get Involved:

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor with the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary, if you are a member of an organization looking for community involvement opportunities, or if you know someone who would be a good fit for our program:

• Call 360.473.4100 (The Armin Jahr Front Desk) & ask to speak to a Washington Reading Corps Representative.
• Call 360.473.4187 (The WRC Office) and ask to speak to the WRC/AmeriCorps member in charge of Volunteer Recruitment and Training.
• Email the Washington Reading Corps office at:  arminjahrwrc@gmail.com

Photos: © 2007 Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Public Affairs. AmeriCorps Week 2007 photo submission. Courtesy of the CNCS Photo Office.