Description
Do you love working with kids? Are you just out of high school or college, looking to change careers, planning to move to a different state, or hoping to find an alternate pathway to a career?
We've got you covered! Join First4 AmeriCorps for 40+ weeks of hands-on experience, modeling of high-quality teaching practices by highly-qualified staff, dynamic professional development, and an Education Technician (Ed Tech) III credential they may utilize to remain in the education field in the beautiful state of Maine.
According to the Maine Kids Count Data, Maine has the highest rate of children diagnosed with anxiety, the third highest rate for children diagnosed with depression, and more than 20% of children under 18 have experienced two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs is a term used to describe the various forms of abuse, neglect, and traumatic experiences that children under 18 face. WFor children who are further challenged with developmental delays or disabilities, their ability to learn and be successful in school are severely impacted. However, with support and skills, the children faced with these challenges early in life can enter Kindergarten at the same level–or above–their peers who have more resources or learn typically.
That is to say, with resilience, children can triumph over trauma and adversity. Resilience is the human capacity to face, overcome, and be strengthened by adversity. Children from low-income families need to become resilient to overcome the challenges they are up against, but they cannot do it alone. "During the first few years of a child's life, a million neural connections are formed in the brain every second. Babies’ brains are literally wired to learn—as much as they possibly can. And they are shaped by inputs from their environments—for better or for worse" (educareschools.org).
First4 AmeriCorps members will provide additional classroom support to strengthen existing trauma-informed classroom practices and strategies. First4 members’ direct support in child care and preschool settings will lower the adult-to-child ratio, which will increase teaching staff’s capacity to deliver high quality curriculum and focus more on skills and school readiness. These 25 (5 full and 20 part-time) members will receive training to better understand concepts such as child development, poverty, social-emotional learning, delays & disabilities awareness, IEP development, ACEs, and trauma-informed teaching. Then, in collaboration with teaching staff, they will transfer that knowledge into practice in classrooms with enrolled children who are struggling to meet benchmarks due to experienced trauma or developmental delays and disabilities.
Do you love working with kids? Are you just out of high school or college, looking to change careers, planning to move to a different state, or hoping to find an alternate pathway to a career?
We've got you covered! Join First4 AmeriCorps for 40+ weeks of hands-on experience, modeling of high-quality teaching practices by highly-qualified staff, dynamic professional development, and an Education Technician (Ed Tech) III credential they may utilize to remain in the education field in the beautiful state of Maine.
According to the Maine Kids Count Data, Maine has the highest rate of children diagnosed with anxiety, the third highest rate for children diagnosed with depression, and more than 20% of children under 18 have experienced two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs is a term used to describe the various forms of abuse, neglect, and traumatic experiences that children under 18 face. WFor children who are further challenged with developmental delays or disabilities, their ability to learn and be successful in school are severely impacted. However, with support and skills, the children faced with these challenges early in life can enter Kindergarten at the same level–or above–their peers who have more resources or learn typically.
That is to say, with resilience, children can triumph over trauma and adversity. Resilience is the human capacity to face, overcome, and be strengthened by adversity. Children from low-income families need to become resilient to overcome the challenges they are up against, but they cannot do it alone. "During the first few years of a child's life, a million neural connections are formed in the brain every second. Babies’ brains are literally wired to learn—as much as they possibly can. And they are shaped by inputs from their environments—for better or for worse" (educareschools.org).
First4 AmeriCorps members will provide additional classroom support to strengthen existing trauma-informed classroom practices and strategies. First4 members’ direct support in child care and preschool settings will lower the adult-to-child ratio, which will increase teaching staff’s capacity to deliver high quality curriculum and focus more on skills and school readiness. These 25 (5 full and 20 part-time) members will receive training to better understand concepts such as child development, poverty, social-emotional learning, delays & disabilities awareness, IEP development, ACEs, and trauma-informed teaching. Then, in collaboration with teaching staff, they will transfer that knowledge into practice in classrooms with enrolled children who are struggling to meet benchmarks due to experienced trauma or developmental delays and disabilities.
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Living Allowance
$975
-
$1200 monthly
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional Benefits
**School vacations (5 weeks) as well as all federal holidays off -- both are accounted for in calculation of hours so that a member is able to complete their hours within the classroom's calendar year
**In addition to receiving support in attaining your Ed Tech III certification prior to your exit from First4 AmeriCorps, you will receive various and relevant training to support your service as well as Life After AmeriCorps: CPR/First Aid certification, Mandated Reporter certification, FEMA National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) certification, DEIAB, IEP/IFSP development, delays & disabilities, and child development training, as well as a thorough professional development in trauma-responsive social-emotional approaches such as Conscious Discipline, Social Thinking, and Zones of Regulation.
**Additionally, ALL members will be provided with Member Assistance Program (MAP) support, which includes:
-24/7 toll-free telephonic access to services for members
-Unlimited in-the-moment telephonic counseling services with master’s degree-level counselors
-Mobile app with resources and appointment scheduling access
-Text/Chat Counseling & Coaching
-Video Counseling & Coaching
-Medical Advocacy
-Financial and Legal Assistance (30-minute consultations)
-Life Coaching
-Personal Concierge for Everyday Needs
-Work/Life Resources & Referrals
Education Benefits
Credential or Certification
Education Requirements
High School Graduate
Desired Certifications or Qualifications
desired but not required: experience with young children and/or child development, educational experience
Desired Languages
English, Spanish
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Permits attendance at school during off hours
Subject to criminal background check