The DMPS AmeriCorps Check & Connect member will work directly and collaboratively with a caseload of individual students and their families, school staff, and community service providers to implement strategies that address school engagement and academic success. Members will meet with students one-on-one at least once a week and support classroom learning during school hours. Members are encouraged to engage students in before or after school clubs or activities, support volunteer engagement at additional family or community events at the school. This could lead to additional hours on the nights and weekend especially around peak season in the fall or late spring. This position has access to vulnerable populations.
First potential start date would be September 4, 2018 and there are a variety of slot types available please see the Des Moines Public Schools AmeriCorps website for more details:https://www.dmschools.org/jobs-dmps/americorps/americorps/?category=AmeriCorps
Service Activities
1.Provide one-on-one mentoring sessions for Middle School Students grades 6-8.
2.Track student data on a regular basis to provide feedback to students, staff and families.
3.Work with school staff to set mentoring schedule and identify appropriate students to mentor. 4.Facilitate communication and promote problem solving between home and school. Contact parents via phone and email to share information and to develop plans to re-engage students in school and promote school success.
5.Attend all required trainings, team meetings and community service events schedule by DMPS AmeriCorps Specialist and DMPS AmeriCorps Program Assistant.
6.Maintain consistent attendance Monday-Friday. AmeriCorps members are not expected to serve on days when classes are not in session.
7.Sick or personal days are allowed, but member loses possible days to earn amount of hours needed. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.
8.Help build connections between the school and the community serves by supporting parents and volunteer engagement activities (school events-typically nights and/ or weekends at the school).
9.Complete online timesheet and narrative for each pay period regularly and on-time.
10. Collaborate effectively and professionally with site supervisor, school staff, and fellow team members at service site to support best practices of the school and the district.
11. Communicate in a timely manner-acknowledge and/or respond to students, families, school personnel and phone messages and emails within 24 hours.
Community Need Addressed
The Check & Connect Mentor will work with students one-on-one to help problem solve, build capacity and improve attendance, grades and behavior. Ultimately, this will lead to increased High School graduation rates in the Des Moines community.
Position Outcomes
Students will receive an individualized approach to help them remain engaged in their learning process through Middle School. Mentors will help students set goals, and problem solve to keep them successful in their attendance, grades and behaviors.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, Credential or Certification
Skills you will gain
conflict resolution, timekeeping,
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, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, 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
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, 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, Set goals
Service
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