CoL Summer Associates serve in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) summer programs to support the learning and social-emotional development of students in grades K-8. Summer Associates serve 30 to 35 hours per week at one site, leading and assisting in high-interest, hands-on summer enrichment classes.
Service Activities
- Develop and lead or assist in enrichment classes based on student interest and site needs. These activities can include, but are not limited to, athletics, community service, arts, science, cooking, creative expression, and leadership development.
- Establish and maintain class expectations and procedures that meet Community Education standards and include student input.
- Build positive relationships with students through intentional interactions and youth development best practices.
- Assist administrative staff with general set up, serving snack, clean up, and bus departure.
- Actively participate in City of Lakes AmeriCorps trainings, events, service projects and state-wide AmeriCorps service opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with fellow AmeriCorps members to reflect on and enrich one another’s service experience.
- Communicate and interact with students in an age- and developmentally appropriate way.
- Professionally communicate with site supervisors, school staff, administrators, and AmeriCorps program staff.
- Act on constructive feedback from program staff, site supervisors, and school staff.
- Establish and maintain a regular schedule at the school site (hours vary by program but are typically Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with occasional Fridays)
- Attend entire program orientation and all mandatory professional development sessions
- Serve 30-35 hours per week during the summer enrichment session to complete a minimum of 300 hours within a 2-month period.
Community Need Addressed
Safe and Supportive Summer Programs for Urban Youth
Position Outcomes
Increased learning and social-emotional development of students in grades K-8.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Experience in the Education and Youth Development fields, with connections that could lead to future employment opportunities.
Skills you will gain
Teaching, Youth Development, Program Planning, Team Work
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment