The AmeriCorps Member will work collaboratively with a VISTA member and school staff to implement programs that benefit the Burchell student population.
Service Activities
The member’s service year will focus on four components: 1) implementation of our Restorative Justice program, 2) implementation of our teen parent program, 3) provide one-on-one tutoring, and 4) provide support and supervision of media center.
Community Need Addressed
Out-of-School suspensions do not work for our students. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between long-term suspensions and the drop-out rate. Furthermore, this drop-out rate correlates directly with billions of dollars lost. “According to [the UCLA Center for Civil Rights Remedies], 10th grade student suspensions cost over $35 billion, and the cost of each high school drop-out ‘amounts to $163,000 in fiscal losses and $364,000 in social losses over a lifetime. When added together, the number of dropouts caused by suspensions – which totaled 67,000 – cost the nation $35 billion’” (Huffington Post, June 2, 2016). First, our AmeriCorps member will run a program called SERVE. SERVE is our restorative justice program that provides accountability without the punitive actions of an in-school suspension system. It will be a block of time where students are taught a character education (SEL) lesson on correct and successful behaviors. The second part for students will be a community service component where students actively participate in a school campus or community beautification project.
Second, studies show that the highest drop-out rate among youth are young parents. Burchell High School is transitioning from an on-site daycare to an off-site daycare. We are partnering with Early Head Start and CCS, programs that provide early education and daycare in the Mat-Su Valley. Our AmeriCorps member will work with our teen parents and help coordinate with Early Head Start and CCS to provide meaningful programming and one-on-one tutoring.
Finally, our AmeriCorps member will help supervise and organize our Media Center and be available to support our at-risk populations.
Position Outcomes
Increased resilience of at-risk students.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Project Management, Tutoring, Student Interaction, Positive Youth Development
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, 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, 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
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, 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, 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