Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Three people standing in a classroom talking to each other.
  1. NAU
  2. COE
  3. Student experience
  4. America Reads

America Reads

NAU’s College of Education is a proud partner in the America Reads literacy program

America Reads is a national initiative established by President Clinton in 1996 and designed to ensure that every child learns to read independently by the end of third grade. Research shows that if children cannot read well by this time, their chances for educational success shrink. The NAU America Reads program, which is run through the College of Education at NAU, places federal work-study college students in schools and community centers to assist children with their literacy skills in the hopes of fulfilling this challenge.

Our mission

  • Give young children a firm literacy basis.
  • Assist those children who lack the motivation and/or resources to learn to read by helping them learn to read well and independently.
  • Boost the self-esteem and reading levels of students who are behind grade level.
  • Use our unique position in the classroom to be positive role models and grant children the one-on-one attention they need to succeed in school.
  • Spread a positive attitude towards education and reading.

Become an America Reads tutor

The program is looking for tutors who:

  • are eligible for Federal Work Study
  • have a minimum 3.00 GPA
  • have availability in the morning or after area school hours

The program offers:

  • starting pay at $16.50/hour
  • relevant training and professional development
  • philanthropy projects (fundraising/community service)
  • free transportation to elementary schools around Flagstaff

Apply online at NAU Handshake. Please carefully read the description and instructions to apply.

Tutors are hired on an ongoing basis.

Student teacher sitting on a desk in front of classroom.

Placement information

Placements are made at schools within the Flagstaff, Arizona area. Tutors will be trained in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary building, spelling, reading comprehension, fluency, and positive behavior support strategies. Additionally, tutors may be taught to work with basic K–5 math concepts. Shift options may vary based on site availability and course schedules.

America Reads partners:

  • Boys and Girls Club
  • DeMiguel FACTS
  • FACTS: Family and Community Teaching for Students
  • Family Resource Center
  • Flagstaff Public Library
  • Killip Elementary
  • Kinsey Elementary
  • Kinsey K–12
  • Knoles Elementary
  • Knoles FACTS
  • Literacy Volunteers
  • Lura Kinsey Elementary School
  • Puente Elementary
  • Sechrist Elementary
  • Sechrist FACTS
  • Thomas Elementary

Meet the program coordinator

Amanda Gomez is a graduate assistant from Santa Fe, New Mexico, who has a BA in Elementary and Special Education and is pursuing an MEd in School Counseling.

Resources for your family

Parents and teachers can find lesson plans and educational games online created by students who love working with children in grades K–6.