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We develop mentors who make an impact and build sustainable careers.

SMILE is TRA’s paid mentorship fellowship for young adults 18–26. Fellows train in structured-literacy routines, classroom culture, and safety; then serve in schools as Literacy Instructional Assistants (LIAs)—with coaching, milestones, and a clear pathway to long-term roles in education.

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Supporting Mentorship, Instruction, Literacy & Empowerment (SMILE) Program

Empowering Students. Developing Leaders. Transforming Schools.

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The Reading Alliance’s SMILE Program is a groundbreaking initiative that combines early literacy intervention, mentorship, and workforce development to create lasting impact in schools and communities. By training and placing Literacy Instructional Assistants (LIAs) in classrooms, SMILE supports teachers, empowers students, and builds a pipeline of diverse future educators and leaders.

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What You’ll Do 

(Fellow Experience)

  • Learn the moves. Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension routines that run tight in real classrooms.

  • Lead small groups. Run short decoding/fluency blocks, track minutes and mastery, and hand clean notes to your lead teacher.

  • Build classroom culture. Practice proactive behavior norms, warm-strict communication, and positive family touchpoints.

  • Grow with a coach. Weekly feedback, observation cycles, and milestone badges so you know exactly what’s next.

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The Four SMILE Pillars

Entrepreneurship Training

Project planning, budgeting, and community problem-solving you can use on campus or in life.

Leadership Development

Professional habits, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

College Services

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FAFSA basics, transfer planning, and study skills for fellows who want to continue school.

Academic Enrichment

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Training in evidence-based instruction and assessment.

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Badges & Milestones

(What “Good” Looks Like)

  • Classroom-Ready — Safety cleared, routines memorized, behavior norms demonstrated.

  • Small-Group Lead — Runs 15–25 minute reading blocks with fidelity and accurate notes.

  • Data Driver — Submits weekly minutes, accuracy, and next-step targets on time.

  • Family Connector — Can script positive outreach and share progress clearly.

  • Site Anchor — Supports daily launch/close, materials, and transitions without prompts.

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A Week in SMILE

  • Mon–Thu: 2–3 small-group blocks/day (K–3), prep 15 min, notes 10 min.

  • Fri: PD & Coaching (90 min), data huddle (30 min), next-week plan (30 min).

  • Monthly: Safety refreshers, practice labs, and milestone assessments.

For Schools & Districts

(Why SMILE Works on Campus)

  • Staffing that sticks. Reliable LIAs trained for routines, transitions, and small-group literacy.

  • Clean implementation. Site coaching, fidelity checks, and weekly reporting.

  • Faster onboarding. Backgrounds, insurance, and vendor docs handled by TRA.

  • Clear service levels. Coverage plans and replacement SLAs when life happens.

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Coaching & Quality

  • Observe → Feedback → Try Again. Short cycles with bite-size targets.

  • Fidelity Tools. Checklists for lesson flow, timing, and talk moves.

  • Data That Matters. Minutes, accuracy, error types, and next-step skill.

  • Safety First. Mandated-reporter training, supervision ratios, arrival/dismissal protocols.

Eligibility & Expectations

  • Age: 18–26

  • Locations:  Maricopa & Pinal County

  • Time: 20–35 hours/week during school terms; after-school options available

  • Must Have: HS diploma/GED; love for kids; consistent attendance; pass background

  • Nice to Have: College coursework, tutoring/childcare experience, bilingual skills

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Compensation & Supports: Hourly pay, coaching, PD hours, reference letters, and advancement pathways into full-time LIA roles or teacher prep.

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Apply to SMILE →

Outcomes We Aim For

  • Small-group time starts on time and stays on task

  • More minutes on text, fewer off-task moments

  • Decoding accuracy and oral reading fluency climb across the term

  • Teachers get planning time back; fellows earn career badges and job offers

Ready to Move?

For Fellows: Step into a role that matters—learn, lead, and grow into a career.
For Schools: Put trained LIAs where they count and watch small-group time transform.

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