Transforming education with research-based innovations.
Our difference: we’re always adapting for the best results.
Through ongoing research and evaluation, we can identify an emerging need in schools. Leveraging a history of success with our programs, we create new initiatives that provide specific solutions and support it with the people power of AmeriCorps. Like our larger programs, our initiatives help students become successful learners and create maximum impact in our communities.
About Us Become a Tutor
Introducing Our Initiatives
Our team works with educational programs to research, launch, evaluate and scale new ways to help kids go further. Take a look around and you’ll find we’re one of the few organizations who constantly innovates to ensure we’re addressing current educational challenges that are impacting kids today!
Quick View
MNGOT + Reading Corps
In collaboration with The University of Minnesota, Reading Corps is offering an exciting new pathway to becoming a teacher. The Minnesota Grow Your Own Teacher (MNGOT) initiative is focused on preparing new educators and helping to address a growing teacher shortage in rural Minnesota.
Rooted in service, the program is designed to build on Reading Corps experience and be completed while serving as a tutor. The five-semester program is 36 credits and prepares participants for K-6 licensure. Coursework is completed through a hybrid model that includes weekly online classes and in-person learning twice a semester. Generous scholarships are available through the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities College of Education and Human Development to help cover the costs of tuition.
Learn MoreTotal Learning Classroom
Minnesota has some of the largest opportunity gaps in schooling in the nation and the Total Learning Classroom (TLC) Initiative of Reading Corps is working to change this. As part of the Total Learning Classroom Initiative, AmeriCorps members serve as Scholar Coaches and help students build stronger skills, support teachers in the classroom, and collaborate with school leaders to improve systems. Together, this support leads to measurable gains in student literacy, increased teacher satisfaction, and improvements to school-level infrastructure.
Scholar Coaches join a K-3 classroom and partner with a teacher to help improve reading skills and increase educational engagement. Serving as a Scholar Coach is great bridge to graduate programs and careers in education and public service. Members receive excellent training and are part of a team of Scholar Coaches at their school.
Learn More Find TLC OpportunitiesInitiative Stories
Alexis Harrison
“I’m excited to come to work every day and excited to learn and try new things. The trainings were exceptional. The staff and management are exceptional.”
Crystal Loken
“People in the university, people in the school district, and my Reading Corps supervisors were all very supportive. I would recommend it – I think it’s a really fabulous first step to being a teacher.”
Kelly Collar
“I was as prepared as I possibly could have been: I had all of that time in the classroom, working with kids, practicing those skills, and building those relationships. There’s no perfect way to get into teaching, but this is probably as good as it gets.”