Update added April 25, 2024: Join our next fellowship happening in Summer 2024! Click here to learn more and apply!
Too many Oakland students cannot read!
Only 3 out of 10 Black and Brown students in Oakland are at or above grade level in reading. They don’t have years to wait for us to get this right — they need to be reading RIGHT NOW. The good news? YOU can be part of the solution!
Become a PAID Oakland Literacy Liberator!
In the Literacy Liberator Fellowship, participants will learn literacy skills, leadership skills, and receive support onboarding as tutors — Literacy Liberators — in OUSD. Fellows that successfully complete the Fellowship will earn a total stipend amount of $1,650.
The Oakland REACH and FluentSeeds are partnering with the Oakland Unified School District to recruit and train our community to make sure students have access to high-dosage Literacy Tutoring. We are running the Literacy Liberator Fellowship to prepare tutors to be powerful leaders and educators in OUSD schools. No previous tutoring experience is required!
Ready to apply? Click this link.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can apply to the Fellowship?
All applicants should have a strong desire to become literacy tutors and will need to:
- be eligible to work in the U.S.,
- be 18 years or older,
- speak, read, write and understand English fluently,
- have a High School diploma or GED equivalent,
- be able to pass a background check, and
- be willing to be placed at the school site with the most need.
Fellows are selected after applying and participating in an interview. Participants in the Fellowship will become candidates for early literacy tutor positions in OUSD, who makes hiring decisions. As we progress through Fellowship sessions, Fellows will build personal leadership skills, literacy skills and get support in onboarding with OUSD. Ready to apply? Click this link.
How can I apply to the Fellowship?
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
You are highly encouraged to apply as soon as possible! There are limited spots in the Fellowship. We are reviewing applications as they are received and scheduling interviews. Interviews begin in June at The Oakland REACH office.
What is it like to be a Literacy Liberator in OUSD?
Great question! You can:
- Hear from other Liberators in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGo2dmybPRs
- Learn about the job & pay by reading through this job description from OUSD. All Fellows will become candidates for Literacy Liberator (Early Literacy Tutor positions) in OUSD. The work is during the school day, not after school. Tutors are teaching a scripted, evidence based curriculum called SIPPS- Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Sight Words (click here for an example of a SIPPS lesson)
What is the time commitment for the Fellowship?
By participating in the Literacy Liberator Fellowship, Fellows are committing to pursuing an early literacy tutor position in OUSD for the 23-24 School Year. In the Fellowship, we will build community, develop personal leadership skills, learn about literacy and support your OUSD onboarding process.
The Fellowship begins July 25, 2023 and ends Sept 19, 2023. Fellows will attend a mandatory orientation, 10 evening sessions, and 4 full days of professional development, and graduation. Exact dates and times are below. Fellows are expected to attend all sessions.
- All sessions will be held in-person in Oakland.
- Sessions will be in English.
- Meals will be provided.
- There will be access to limited childcare for ages 2 and up.
Outside of the Fellowship times below, you will be responsible for completing tasks related to onboarding, including visiting a school site, and having 1:1 check-ins with The Oakland REACH outside of the session times below.
FELLOWSHIP ORIENTATION: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 6PM-8PM
Fellowship Sessions Part 1: Evening Sessions
Ten (10) Tuesday & Thursday Evening Sessions from 6PM-8PM held on:
- Thursday, July 27, 2023
- Tuesday, August 1, 2023
- Thursday, August 3, 2023
NO CLASS Tuesday, August 8, 2023 - Thursday, August 10, 2023
- Tuesday, August 15, 2023
- Thursday, August 17, 2023
- Tuesday, August 22, 2023
- Thursday, August 24, 2023
- Tuesday, August 29, 2023
- Thursday, August 31, 2023
Fellowship Sessions Part 2: All DAY Professional Development
Four (4) days of professional development during the day (approximately 9AM-3PM) held on:
- Monday September 11, 2023
- Tuesday, September 12, 2023
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023
- Thursday, September 14, 2023
FELLOWSHIP GRADUATION: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6PM-7:30PM