OST Fellowship in Early Literacy

Do You...

...work in an Out Of School Time setting with kids 0-8?

...want to get more professional leadership and literacy skills?

...want to help build a network of early career OST leaders that champion early literacy?

If Yes, Join Us!

Apply now to be in our inaugural group of early career Out of School Time professionals dedicated to gaining skills, connecting to resources, and leading the charge for early literacy in Springfield. 

About Fellowship

  • Fellows will meet virtually with experts and coaches. Expert sessions, regional meetings, and individual coaching will be conducted during the workday to support on-the-job experiences.


  • RS4G OST Fellows must be employed by a Springfield-based OST program for at least summer 2021.


  • Applicants should have less than 10 years in the OST field to apply.


  • The Fellowship is COMPLETELY FREE for OST programs. There is NO COST to attend. All 2021 OST Fellows will receive a $750 award upon successful program completion.

APPLY NOW

Apply now to be in our inaugural group of early career Out of School Time professionals dedicated to gaining skills, connecting to resources, and leading the charge for early literacy in Springfield. 

  • Fellowship Goals
    • Broaden leadership and early literacy skills with a variety of group learning experiences and individual coaching. 
    • Create a network of OST leaders in Springfield that are connected to regional resources and champions for early literacy. 
    • Amplify the importance of leadership development of early-career professional staff in Out of School Time settings.
  • Commitment

    Fellows will plan to attend all convenings and coaching sessions.  The fellowship application process is selective due to the nature of extremely small workshops with industry leaders and 1:1 coaching. This fellowship comes with a $750 award upon completion. 


    All Fellows will be featured in both print and digital media as leaders in Springfield’s work to increase literacy proficiency by the end of 3rd grade. Fellows may be asked to speak or write publicly on the topic and share their best practices or learnings from the expert sessions and coaching.

  • Timeline

    January - February

    • Attend regional OST convenings to stay up on current OST topics,  resource sharing, & networking.
    • Learn from experts on professional topics in the first RS4G OST Fellowship Institute:

                         - Executive Presence

                         - Leading Professional Staff Development

                         - Literacy in Out of School Time Settings

                         - Early Literacy Practices


    March - August

    • Continue to attend regional OST convenings.
    • 1:1 coaching and support for your own development, with emphasis on the environment and early literacy with Kathy Coleman, OST industry leader and RS4G Senior Consultant for Literacy in Out of School Time
    • Participate in the leadership of Springfield Reads!, the RS4G and Springfield OST summer program reading initiative.

    September

    • Attend regional OST convenings to stay up on current OST topics,  resource sharing, & networking.
    • Summer debrief and learning sessions with coach and Fellows.