Reading Tutor (Part-Time, Temporary)

Job Description – Reading Tutor (VTS)

Beginning – August 12, 2024

Ending – May 31, 2025

Part time (3 - 5 hours per week) – Grant Funded

Jeanne Wanzek, Associate Professor, Principal Investigator

Job Summary: 

The position of Reading Tutor is responsible for serving as a reading tutor for first grade students attending an afterschool program for a federally funded research project in the Department of Special Education. This position includes teaching small groups of first grade students using a structured reading program, a minimum of 3 times a week, attending professional development sessions, recording student progress, and assisting in other project related activities (e.g., administer assessments, manage materials). All training for the reading tutor position (i.e., instruction, data collection, progress monitoring) will be provided to the reading tutors. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

• Teach a structured reading intervention with high fidelity and quality to a small group of first grade students in an afterschool program 3 times a week; teach make-up sessions in case of absences 
• Administer progress monitoring measures
• Document student attendance and behavior
• Assist in other project related activities (e.g., administer assessments, materials management)
• Attend team meetings and maintain communication with project coordinators and afterschool program site coordinators/reading coaches
• Complete human subjects research training successfully

Minimum Requirements: 

• This position requires a high school diploma
• Prior experience working with children
• Daily access to transportation to Davidson County, TN schools
• Daily availability during afterschool program hours (e.g., 2:30pm – 5:00pm)

Preferred Requirements: 

• Prior experience tutoring individual or small groups of students
• Prior experience administering group and individual assessments to children

About the Work Unit:

Ranked as the #1 Special Education Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade, our department has long been a leader both in research and practice. 

The mission of the Department of Special Education is to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities through (a) the preparation of exceptionally competent teachers and researchers, (b) conducting research that informs and improves educational programs and behavioral interventions, and (c) leadership in professional associations and advocacy for persons with disabilities. We are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and supports to people with disabilities and their families.

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

• Collaborative – Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiative. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to project requirements
• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together 
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes 

General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:

ACCOUNTABILITY:Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together 
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes 

COLLABORATION:Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.

• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment
• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits
• Honest and Transparent – Doesn’t have hidden agendas, doesn’t play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived. 

• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response

DRIVE & GRIT:Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts

ENGAGED:Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed 
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions

JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.

• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn’t pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn’t engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes 
• Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything