EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO HAVE MORE SAY IN THEIR LIVES-
SERVING IN SCHOOLS OR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
SEL learning is more than a fad- it comes from the awareness that what students learn about themselves is just as important as what they learn about any other subject. Why is it then that schools rarely have time to teach students how to better know themselves?
COVID has disadvantaged all students. Tests have shown students are behind. Most schools are teaching "Catch Up." Teachers are not allowed time to ask students how they are feeling. What if they are overwhelmed? What if they are depressed? Yet, ask any teacher who is struggling to get the class to learn. They will know what students are saying in the only way kids can speak- through behavior. We are not ready to learn-they are saying- until you are ready to learn from us- where we are and what we have been through. One Million plus dead, school suspended for a year, Zoom School, and you presume we are ready to learn and all is back to normal? Why won't you listen?
SERVING WITH AMERICORPS
AmeriCorps Project CHANGE is recruiting a team of Students' Champions'- sixteen inspired members for 2023-24 who sign on to a project for a year or more to change all this. Through the innovative yet simple SEL instrument MyScore that Project CHANGE has developed over the last 7 years, AmeriCorps is striving to bring the students back into the conversation about their lives.
The standardized tests want to know if you can write and read, ( That is TheirScore) but we are interested in 'How Confident, How Curious, How Collaborative, How Courageous, How Career and future- focused you are- (That is MyScore.) These 5C's are more predictive of a successful Life Learner than any test result.
We know which students are struggling because they tell us. We can support them to persevere and grow. We know which class is stuck because most students are telling us they are bored or struggling, or feel alone. And we know which students are thriving and whom we can invite them to build a climate of inquiry in the classroom and assist their teacher with classmates who might be behind. MyScore allows us to build an environment for learning and growing. We lift up every voice.
This seems so obvious but it represents a radically different approach to student welfare that has never been tried before until Project CHANGE decided to democratize education and re-center the curriculum on life and self as the ultimate lesson. After the pandemic, it is time to place the student voice back at the center of the conversation.
WHO IS PROJECT CHANGE?
Project CHANGE is the original AmeriCorps program that for 22 years, has been serving Montgomery County students. Every year, we look at the emerging needs and search for Children's Champions who ready and able to respond.
Project CHANGE's unique Social Emotional Learning Approach is based around stories. We focus on the story that a student is telling themselves about their value, their talents, their chances for success and their future. Our student-friendly tool called MyScore gets students to focus on growing in the 5Cs of confidence, curiosity, collaboration, courage and career-future focus. Members are trained to use this tool and shape interventions around the student's sense of self. Imagine being the difference between a student passing or failing? Imagine being the difference between a student believing in herself and a student acting out their despair? Imagine helping a teacher or program leader create the safety and the trust where children can thrive and feel the thrill of being alive.
DO YOU QUALIFY
Requirements for AmeriCorps members in Project Change:
1. At least 18 years of age
2. High School Diploma
3. Drivers license/access to a vehicle
4. Able to work in the US
5. Able to devote 37 hours a week
6. Some experience working with children/youth
7. Willing to have a criminal background check
8 Able to serve for a full 12 months
BENEFITS
In return, AmeriCorps members receive:
Professional Development weekly training on Fridays
$21,500 living stipend with possible bonus
$6,895 educational scholarship upon completion
Health benefits
Professional mentoring
Peer support network and connection to AmeriCorps alumni
Preference in hiring for many organizations
The positions offer an overall life-changing experience. Most positions are full-time (1700 hours during a 12-month term) beginning end of August 2023- August 2024 and some positions are half-time (900 hours during a 12-month term).
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BACKGROUND
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) with 160,000 Students has shutdown since March 2020, leaving kids cut off from their peers, depriving them of normal healthy social outlets. School is slowly coming back but how do we make up for their losses in Social/Emotional learning, the very skills students need most to succeed in life. This is where YOU come in. Your role in the school will be as a mentor and coach to your peers, and to model for them ways to
-Actively engage and problem-solve physical, psychological, social and disciplinary issues that affect themselves and the community.
-Take responsibility for their actions.
-Set themselves up for success
Project CHANGE Montgomery began in 2001 as the original Montgomery County MD program of AmeriCorps, America's "Domestic Peace Corps." Places are available from late August 2023 to mid-August 2024 and AmeriCorps members serve the county's most under-served K-12+ students.
Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Pay: $21,500.00 - $22,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Application Question(s):
- Serving vulnerable populations means you must clear a background criminal check. Are you willing to consent to that?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person