The Tutor Experience

Our tutors are at the very core of delivering on our mission to ensure that all students gain the literacy skills they need to become successful, confident, and yes…joyful readers!

Tutors serve with Joyful Readers for 9 months, from August 29 through May 28.

Throughout the month of September, we’ll train you on how to build great relationships with students and teachers and become an effective tutor. Part of our training includes the AIM Institute for Learning & Research Pathways to Proficient Reading course, a graduate-level course that helps educators learn about the science of reading. You can earn 3 graduate credits through this training!

In October, tutors begin their service embedded in a Philadelphia elementary school, where they will serve Monday through Friday for the duration of the school year. Throughout the school day, tutors work 2-on-1 with students who need extra support in reading.

In addition to learning from their teammates, tutors are supported and coached every week by one of the Joyful Readers literacy coaches.

Every day, tutors help students build the critical literacy skills they need to be successful. Along the way, tutors build relationships with their students, families, school staff and fellow tutors. Every 2 months, we host a community dinner for our tutoring corps to honor the work they do in Philadelphia.

Want to get all the details? Read the Full Position Description.

A Day in the Life 

A typical day at Joyful Readers is 8 hours long. Start and end times vary slightly by school.

8:00

Arrive at school, check in with tutor teammates and get ready for the day.
8:00

8:30

Meet 1:1 with teachers to discuss student progress before school starts
8:30

9:00

Tutoring! Support groups of 2 students throughout the morning
9:00

11:30

Check in with students during their lunch break
11:30

12:00

Take your own lunch break!
12:00

12:30

Plan for afternoon tutoring
12:30

1:00

Tutoring! Support groups of 2 students throughout the afternoon
1:00

2:45

Meet with your literacy coach
2:45

3:15

Tutoring! Support groups of 2 students throughout the afternoon
3:15

4:00

Check in with tutor teammates and head home!
4:00

Mira Taichman

Mira’s professional success derives from her core belief that literacy is a human right. A devoted educator and advocate, Mira began her career in the policy world of Washington, D.C., where she worked to promote equity in public schools. After volunteering as a reading tutor for second grade students, Mira discovered that her true passion was in the classroom making a direct impact on student achievement. In 2018, Mira returned home to Philadelphia where she launched her teaching career, leading both first and third grade classrooms at KIPP Philadelphia and Wissahickon Charter School for more than six years. Mira earned a Bachelors of History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Mira’s excited to utilize her teaching, mentoring and advocacy skills as a Joyful Readers Literacy Coach in the service of education equity and childhood literacy. An avid fan of children’s books, Mira spends her free time as a freelance curriculum writer and children’s book author. She also enjoys camping and spoiling her beloved pup, Theodore.