George Washington University (GW), in downtown Washington DC, is seeking VISTAs to serve as School-Community Liaisons in elementary and middle schools. With a strong record of developing reciprocal, respectful, active, and democratic partnerships, GW is working with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to place VISTAs in urban schools in the District. The VISTAs will assess needs and opportunities to expand out-of-school-time program quality and resources at their schools. As a VISTA, you will support the Title I schools to improve after-school and summer programming and build new partnerships and volunteer programs to enrich the lives of children. You will work for one year with GW and DCPS school staff and community members to build your education, experience, community development, organizing, and communication skills. This is a full-time (at least 40hrs a week) 12-month service term with the GW/DCPS AmeriCorps VISTA Program. The project term is based on the start date.
Service Activities
- Recruit, promote and develop successful school-community partnerships and volunteer programs at assigned school
- Assess and work to enhance existing partnerships at assigned school
- Contact, communicate, and interact with community organizations to build new school-community and volunteer partnerships
- Work with DCPS to support after-school and summer afternoon programming
- Assess, report on, and disseminate information about program implementation
- Seek out grants and foundation funding to directly support community and volunteer partners for after-school and summer activities
Community Need Addressed
Address achievement gaps in education by partnering with community organizations and higher education institutions to develop programming in K12 schools.
Position Outcomes
- Better understanding of existing school-community partnerships
- Strengthened existing school-community partnerships
- More school-community partnerships, volunteers, volunteer projects, volunteer hours
- More school administrator and teacher satisfaction with partnerships and partner/local organization satisfaction with participating schools
- More financial, human, and in-kind resources as well as strengthened infrastructure to meet student needs
- Increase opportunities for parent/family engagement
- Increase opportunities for collaboration amongst George Washington University and DC Public Schools.
- Increase number of college students volunteering in DC Public Schools through various programs.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Networking opportunities with DCPS, Community Organizations, and GWU
- Access to GWU Campus Amenities (Library, Adobe Suite)
- Learning opportunities through conferences, events, etc.
Skills you will gain
Community Organizing, Relationship Building, Communications, Public Speaking, K-12 Education Experience, Higher Ed experience, Project Planning, etc.
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
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
Derive consensus, 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
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
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
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, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
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