When Solveig Overturf’s youngest child started elementary school, so did she - as a Reading Corps tutor. Reading Corps tutors serve in elementary schools providing daily one-on-one, 20-minute intervention sessions with K-3 students who need extra support learning to read. As part of this AmeriCorps program, tutors receive training for this position and receive a monthly living allowance (stipend) and education award that can be used for college tuition or student loans. Overturf spent four years in the program at Bennett Elementary in Fargo, but when her service was complete, her career was just beginning. Overturf is now back in school to become an elementary school teacher.
Overturf’s journey began in 2018 after a neighbor encouraged her to become a Reading Corps tutor. She was aware of the program as she had previously worked at Moorhead Public Schools, but the timing to apply was finally right as her youngest was entering kindergarten that year. Overturf also had experience with AmeriCorps tutoring as a parent. One of her children received Early Learning Corps services in pre-school and Reading Corps in kindergarten, first, and second grade. By third grade, he no longer needed the extra help. Overturf lauded a conversation with his fifth-grade teacher as evidence of the success of the program. She stated that the teacher was surprised to learn he had received Reading Corps tutoring in that past and that she “never would have known.” After becoming a tutor, Reading Corps quickly became Overturf’s passion. Building connections with students is a key piece of the program, and she excelled. Amber Remark, an Instructional Coach at Bennett Elementary, said “[Overturf] was made to be with kids. Her natural ability to connect with kids and meet them where they’re at and see them for who they are is incredible.”
As a tutor, Overturf worked to cultivate individual connections while helping students build proficiency. In the process, those students began gaining confidence. Confidence is a common side effect of Reading Corps and Overturf’s favorite part of the program. Students often start Reading Corps claiming that they hate school and that reading is boring. As they warm up to their tutor and begin reaching goals, their confidence begins to grow. Overturf explains that their newfound confidence isn’t exclusive to reading. She witnessed it bloom across all subjects.
As she reached the end of her four years of service with Reading Corps, Overturf didn’t feel like she was done making an impact. Bennett Elementary agreed and hired her as instructional support specialist carrying out the Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS®) intervention program. But again, she thought she might want more and considered putting her AmeriCorps education award to use. AmeriCorps members can transfer their education award to a child, stepchild, or grandchild if they are over 55 when they begin service. Solveig Overturf is under age 55 , so she initially thought the award would just go unused. However, with encouragement from Amber Remark, Instructional Coach, and Emily Oberg, Interventionist and Teacher, she shifted from possibly taking a few classes to applying for a college degree program. Overturf is now attending MSUM for elementary education and will student teach in the fall of 2027. She still works at Bennett Elementary but now fills her evenings with online classes and homework. When asked what keeps her going, without hesitation, she exclaimed, “the kids, the students are what keep me going.”
Overturf’s first Reading Corps students started sixth grade this year, and she recently had a chance to reconnect with them. She told her former students, “I’m so proud of you.” Even though they share the same building, she hasn’t worked with them for some time as “they were all, now, proficient readers.” It’s clear that Reading Corps, and Solveig Overturf, made an impact on their academic journeys. What’s even more clear, however, is that those students made a lasting impression on Overturf. Overturf’s message to others is, “Please consider becoming a Reading/Math Corps tutor. We need people to be champions for our kids. I believe that Rita Pierson said it best. ‘Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.’”
Applications are now open for schools to become Reading Corps and Math Corps host sites. Apply now or share with your school to create more stories like Solveig’s.
Reading Corps Host Site Application
Math Corps (K-3) Host Site Application
Math Corps (4-8) Host Site Application