Amherst Regional High School
Member Title/Position: Academic Achievement Center Support Staff
(Amherst Regional High School)
Agency/Program Mission:
The Academic Achievement Center is a general education intervention program for students needing additional support to help them reach their academic potential. The student population includes those who have low academic grades, are enrolled in our English Language Learners program (English is their second language), need a smaller study environment, or are eligible due to their standardized tests scores. The AmeriCorps Member works closely to mentor, tutor, and provide general academic related support for these students. In addition, the AmeriCorps Member works closely with local colleges and the senior services organization to recruit, train and coordinate tutors to work in the AAC.
Member Objective:
· To support the students enrolled in the Academic Achievement Center in reaching their academic potential.
· To provide positive mentorship for students
· To help maintain a positive, effective, enjoyable and productive learning environment for students
· To provide clear, consistent, professional leadership in the AAC
· To effectively bring in and train local college students and senior citizens to add additional tutoring in the AAC
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
§ Establish rapport with students, faculty, and staff through daily service and interaction in the school
§ Collaborate with the ARHS Counselor who is also the Member’s Supervisor to support daily operations of the Academic Achievement Center (AAC)
§ Coordinate with ARHS Counselor/Member Supervisor and the AAC Paraprofessional to share responsibility for individual student check-ins and lessons
§ Recruit, train, support, and follow up with volunteer tutors, including those from UMass, Amherst College, and ARHS (peer tutors), for the AAC
§ Develop tutor schedules
§ Communicate with certified teachers and paraprofessionals about daily plans and needs for students in the AAC
§ Provide daily oversight of students in the AAC, including connecting them with tutors and ensuring that rules and sign-in/sign-out procedures are followed
§ Communicate with academic Department Heads about major assignments, tests, and projects
§ Post major assignments, test, and projects on white board and update list daily and weekly
§ Maintain a contact list including emails and room numbers of all teachers, and make the list available to students
§ Meet with students individually every week to review progress using the PowerSchool portal
§ Help students progressively become more independent and increase their ownership over their education throughout the year
§ Provide recognition for student accomplishments and progress
§ Take and enter daily attendance in PowerSchool
§ Attend faculty meetings and other meetings as needed
Required Qualifications:
§ Excellent communication skills, especially: tact, diplomacy, active listening, de-escalation, positive reframing
§ Self-motivation and ability to work with little direct supervision
§ Enthusiasm for enhancing the educational experience of middle and high school students
§ Substantial youth work experience, either in schools or in after-school programs
§ Ability to make presentations and speak professionally in front of groups of teachers, students, parents, business leaders, service providers, and any other interested parties
§ Ability to balance multiple priorities
§ Ability to establish rapport with youth while maintaining professional boundaries
§ Basic computer skills including email, word-processing, and use of spreadsheets. Ability to learn and use PowerSchool student data tracking system.
Preferred Qualifications:
§ Experience working with teenagers
§ Teaching or tutoring experience
§ Familiarity with school culture
§ Experience recruiting and managing volunteers
§ Experience with professional networking
§ Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in education, adolescent development, or related field
Tentative Member Schedule:
Generally concurrent with the school week, M-F 7:30-3:00. Participation in two or three evening events during the year. Additional hours for working on data collection, communicating with teachers and parents and working on enhancing the mini-lesson curriculum for the AAC are flexible. Further, there is opportunity to work with our afterschool enrichment program.
Member Benefits:
· Living allowance up to $12,100 for full-time Members.
· Health insurance at no cost to the Member
· Child care assistance for eligible Members
· Education Award of $5,550 upon successful completion of service
Member Supervisor:
Lisa Zephyr
413 362-1784
The Brick House Community Resource Center
Member Title/Position: Young Programs Coordinator
Agency/Program Mission:
The mission ofThe Brick House isto support individual, family and community well-being through collaboration on economic development, youth development, leadership development and education. Reaching area youth with this message is very important. In order to foster positive community participation, The Brick House has created a Teen Center with purpose of supporting their well-being and healthy development.
Member Objective:
· To support The Brick House, the Program Director, and The Brick House participants by providing and supervising activities
· To Take an active role in supporting participants by helping to develop and improve programming
· To assist our participants in becoming well-rounded, responsible, and empowered community members
Duties and Responsibilities:
§ Provide outreach for fuller participation at the Teen Center, and greater knowledge of and participation in the Gill-Montague Community School Partnership
§ Staff the Teen Center with the Program Director and Youth Programs Assistant
§ Conduct surveys
§ Facilitate dialog amongst participants by convening a monthly Youth Council meeting regarding Teen Center programming ideas/changes/improvements
§ Develop and implement appropriate programming for teens with Community Members and Brick House staff
§ Provide higher education resources (GCC catalogs, FAFSA forms, scholarship information) to partipants
§ Organize and staff youth open mics and concerts one to two times per month
§ Support events held by The Brick House
§ Assist with upkeep of Teen Center
§ Supervise youth performing Community Service and other youth program volunteers
§ Research local resources related to social services and opportunities for community involvement
§ Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
§ Willingness to learn and work hard
§ Technology and computer literacy (hopefully including experience working with video, photography, and music)
§ Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
§ Good planning and organizational skills
§ Willingness to cooperate with and have respect for the opinions of staff members, community members and participants
§ Commitment to building and sustaining healthy and appropriate relationships and boundaries with other staff, community members, and participants
§ Good people skills, especially with youth, and a commitment to working with youth
Preferred Qualifications:
§ Experience in education
§ Background in working with youth
§ Reliable transportation
§ Experience with helping to meet the needs of people who live in, or have lived in, poverty
§ An understanding of the physiology and psychology of adolescence
§ Musical skills
Tentative Member Schedule:
T, W, Th, Sa: 10-6, F: 1-6, with some evening hours occasionally
Member Supervisor:
Jared Libby
413 863 9576
Children’s Study Home
Member Title/Position: Youth Learning & Support Coordinator
Agency/Program Mission:
The Children’s Study Home is dedicated to caring for and improving the quality of life of at-risk children, youth and families through high-quality educational, residential and family services
Member Objective:
Provide academic support to educational staff and students in the school and serve as positive role model for the students. Provide guidance and assistance to students in learning independent living skills, college preparation and career pursuits.
Duties and Responsibilities:
§ Provide advocacy, support and education support to students.
§ Establish visitation opportunities for Juniors and Seniors at local colleges
§ In structure and guide students in completing college applications.
§ Contact local LEA’s to establish when their college fairs are being held.
§ Review and guide students in completing financial aid forms
§ Work on daily living skills with students to include: check writing, balancing a checkbook, making doctor’s appointments, understanding transportation schedules, budgeting, etc.
§ Assistant students with academic assignments
§ Assist teachers within classrooms, gym and shop areas
§ Develop career-interest inventories
§ Assist in updating transition plans
§ Discuss skills and talents that they feel would be of assistance to students
Required Qualifications:
§ Ability to exercise sound judgment, establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.
§ Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds as well as individuals with mental illness
§ Ability to advocate for and/or with youth.
§ Ability to support others toward feeling motivated and empowered.
§ Effective written and oral communication skills: concise writing, express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
§ Knowledge gained from personally utilizing mental health services.
Preferred Qualifications:
§ Leadership skills
§ Experience in working with children who have experienced trauma
Tentative Member Schedule:
Monday-Thursday 8am – 3pm;
Friday 1pm-3pm, except on first Friday of the month, when there is a full-day Corps meeting.
Member Supervisor:
Joe Dupelle
Dan Zabriskie
DIAL/SELF – TeenLine, Step and Teen Housing Programs
Member Title/Position: Coordinator of Education Services
Agency/Program Mission:
DIAL/SELF provides a broad range of services that foster youth empowerment by meeting basic needs, by creating opportunities for youth, and by advocating for youth interests in the communities we serve.
Member Objective:
To support youth in the DIAL/SELF TeenLine, Step, and Teen Housing programs develop and implement educational goals. In additional to helping youth learn about educational opportunities and connect to them, the member will support youths’ educational pursuits by offering homework help, service-learning projects, enrichment and creative activities, and life skills for program youth within a positive youth development framework.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Support youth with the identification and development of their educational goals.
· Support youth applying to college through all aspects of the admissions process, including meeting with advisors, financial aid staff, and other college staff.
· Meet with representatives from area colleges and provide information to youth about these schools.
· Plan opportunities for visits to area colleges.
· Regular participation in weekly outreach efforts to local high schools and colleges. Includes scheduling outreach efforts, planning outreach activities and building connections with school officials and guidance counselors.
· Participation in street outreach and event-based outreach. Includes approaching youth and community members about needs and offering appropriate referrals.
· Offer homework help workshops to program youth at various DIAL/SELF locations.
· Assist in the development, implementation, and coordination of community service-learning, enrichment, and creative activities, for program youth.
· Establish and maintain connections with other RISE sites, area schools, other youth service agencies, local businesses, town governances, and local media to identify and coordinate opportunities for youth community participation, service, and enrichment.
· Assist staff in the development and implementation of life skills classes.
· Design and host recognition activities for participant accomplishments with a positive youth development framework.
· Collaborate with staff to provide individualized support to participants to help them meet their basic needs, identify and achieve their independent living goals.
· Complete all required program paperwork and records in a timely manner.
· Assist in crisis intervention when necessary and appropriate.
· Provide client transportation as needed and appropriate.
· Develop and implement systems to organize and keep information about service for future members to reference including: life skills binders, contacts at schools, activity and service learning projects, etc.
· Participate in program meetings including: team meetings, case management group meetings, Step house meeting, life skills groups, individual supervision, and agency trainings.
Required Qualifications:
· Desire to work with young people
· Ability to be a self-starter and create programming, opportunities, and activities where there are none
· Ability to hold consistent boundaries while developing relationships with youth in a variety of settings
· Willingness to approach young people in an informal, outreach setting
· Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet / database, email)
· Willingness to be scheduled for evening and weekend hours
· Valid driver’s license and reliable, insured transportation
· Willingness to work constructively with a variety of entities, including schools, social service agencies, and businesses
· Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
· Flexibility
· Ability to tolerate conflict
· Excellent time management skills and multi-tasking abilities
Preferred Qualifications:
· 1-2 years experience working with youth aged 16-21
· Experience with group and meeting facilitation
· Ability to work in varied modalities - individual, group, education, recreation and other.
· Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
· Ability to utilize supervision as a venue for self-reflection
· Fluency in Spanish, Russian or Moldovan
Tentative Member Schedule:
Evening and weekend hours required. Ability to adjust to activities scheduled at varying times preferred.
Member Supervisor:
Amy Calandrella, Step Program Coordinator
Four Rivers Charter Public School
Member Title/Position: ACADEMIC SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Agency/Program Mission: FOUR RIVERS CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL – We are a secondary charter school in Greenfield, MA, enrolling about 210 students in grades 7-12. We are dedicated to educating young people for lives of learning and service. The school offers a rigorous academic program aligned with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks and with an emphasis on character development for moral and social responsibility. Three central themes - nature, technology and community- pervade the teaching and learning at the school, engaging teachers and students in a fundamental question of our times: how do we find the healthy, sustainable interrelationship of the natural world, technology in its many forms, and the human community? The school works closely with parents to strengthen our school/parent partnership and seeks collaboration with community groups to further our mission of service.
Member Objective: To serve as part of our academic support team, led by Academic Support Director, Kate Conant. The extra support provided by the Member would be aimed directly at shoring up the academic skills students need for success at Four Rivers, as well as what they’ll need for college: writing, reading, critical thinking, analysis, investigation, and more.