Our AmeriCorps Program is a fundamental part of our school district. For twenty-years, the Teca Oyate Waunspekiya Program (Teaching the Young People) has existed to serve the Lakota youth and the Red Cloud Indian School. Our members are educators, bus drivers, mentors, tutors, and coaches for our students. They also are part of a renewed cultural exchange with a focus on them adapting and learning about Lakota culture.
Service Activities
Our members due a combination of things. This includes direct service - such as working as librarians, bus drivers, coordinating after-school programs, leading academic interventions, and coaching sports - but also includes building capacity such as curriculum development and developing beneficial projects and programs for the school district.
Community Need Addressed
Our program meets the critical need for educators in the community. We are a college-oriented school that works to address the unbalance in students of indigenous communities not being able to attend college. Our school also focuses on the linguistic and cultural revitalization that is going on within the Lakota community as we encourage our students to be confident self-advocates and warriors for their culture, history, and language.
Position Outcomes
AmeriCorps Members will (1) enhance students' math, literacy, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math) outcomes; (2) facilitate a range of after school programs; (3) organize and facilitate
summer learning activities; and (4) serve as teachers' aides, student activities coordinator, greenhouse
coordinator, librarian assistant, field trip chaperones, and coaches to support students' academic
engagement.
They will do these things while living in intentional-communities with other AmeriCorps Members on the school campus and dedicating themselves to immersion within the greater Lakota and school community and culture.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, 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
Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, 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
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning
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