Reader Leader

The Shared Reading Society is looking for people who are interested in training to become Reader Leaders. Reader Leaders volunteer at a nonprofit of their choice--perhaps a home for the elderly, a recovery center, a homeless shelter, a library or community center, or even a place where people are incarcerated.

Our Reader Leaders extend our mission to take shared reading to those who need it most. Reader Leaders bring people together to read aloud great stories and poems, creating powerful moments of connection. We call this Shared Reading. Shared Reading is an experience filled with meaning where we share our thoughts and can rest with our reflections. There's no pressure for group members to read aloud or speak; just listening is perfectly alright. Our aim is to create an atmosphere of inclusivity, where everyone feels truly at home.

Shared Reading is a powerful group experience that brings literature to life, a unique journey where literature becomes a bridge that connects our individual stories and allows us to explore our depths together, at the same table, at the same time.

Some logistical aspects of Reader Leaders are that they lead a weekly Shared Reading group. They learn about then follow the Shared Reading model while delivering Shared Reading activities. Reader Leaders learn to create a warm and inclusive space where group members feel able to contribute and share. They also read aloud and guide discussions, drawing connections between the text and personal experiences, and spend time selecting suitable texts for shared reading and preparing them for discussions.

Read to Lead training, which is being offered this winter on Fridays from 12:30-4:00 starting on Jan 30 and running through March 6, will immerse trainees in Shared Reading, teach them the guiding practices and principals of Shared Reading, bolster their confidence, help secure a volunteer opportunity, and will support them on the rest of their journey. Reader Leaders become a part of the Reading Revolution and are welcomed into a community of really wonderful people and really cool happenings!