AmeriCorps - Outreach Program Specialist - Digital Wish (Vermont)

Great Strides Rural Education Corps Overview:

Great Strides places members in rural Schools in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in order to increase student education attainment through: 1) Mentoring programs and increased mentor relationships, 2) Academic Support, 3) Service Learning opportunities, and 4) Outreach to the community, such as connecting with businesses, other schools, resources. The Great Strides program will seek to increase the number of youth who have improved their school attendance over the course of the AmeriCorps program's involvement with the student, the number of students graduating from high school on time with a diploma and the number of students entering post-secondary institutions.

Host Site Overview:

Organization: Digital Wish, www.digitalwish.org

Digital Wish is on a mission to solve technology shortfalls in classrooms. As a national charitable organization, we serve non-profit PreK-12 schools in the US, and the agencies that support them. Digitalwish.org is a place where teachers can post their technology needs and donors can fund their wishes. Teachers and donors in all 50 states participate, and technology grants and cash donations are made directly to schools for targeted classroom usage.

Locally in Vermont, we provide direct technology-integration services to local Vermont schools. In this school year we will implement one-computer-per-child initiatives in 24 schools across the state. We focus on grades 4-6, providing equipment, teacher training, student training, and community outreach. Training will continue throughout the 2011-12 school year.

Program: Vermont School Modernization Initiative

Brief: Digital Wish is implementing technology programs in schools and by doing so, we seek to define the root cause of issues, develop transparent implementation systems, and create replicable practices for every possible step in the process of classroom modernization. We do this by training schools in extensive community-outreach programs, tied to technology integration in the classroom.

Impact: It would be hard to overstate the impact we're having on the schools. Anecdotally, teachers are reporting increases in student engagement levels. In all cases the staff and administration have shifted their assumptions on the need for technology. Half of the pilot schools have proactively secured additional sustainability funding for the coming years, and technology expansion wasn't even in their plans just months ago. Press coverage is improving each school's profile within the community, and formal outreach programs are entering planning stages. It's literally changing the face of education in each classroom we touch, community engagement is soaring, and teacher confidence is slowly rising. At our last interview, one child exclaimed, "I hope I never leave the 5^th grade!"

Position Title: Outreach Program Specialist

Immediate Supervisor: Heather Chirtea, Executive Director

Host Site Location: Manchester Center, VT

Term of Service: 1700 Hour Position – November 30, 2012 to October 18, 2013

Qualifications:

• Self-motivated with a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and independence
• Ability to clearly and concisely communicate orally and in writing
• Excellent organizational skills
• Effective public speaker
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Prior volunteer or service experience
• Dedication to the mission of AmeriCorps
• Ability to use various types of technology (i.e. word processing, Microsoft Office Suite, GoToMeeting, on-line reporting system)

Site Specific Qualifications:

• Effective public speaker/ teacher – teaching experience is preferred.
• Be extremely tech-savvy - Ability to use various types of technology (i.e. word processing, Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Excel, video skills, artistic production)

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a mentor for a portfolio of at-risk students
• Develop and maintain contact with students' parents, teachers, counselors and/or referral partners
• Develop relationships and resources within the community
• Create a structure for extended learning opportunities and expanded career awareness
• Act as a positive role model for youth
• Participate in Member Leadership Teams as part of Goodwill AmeriCorps Programs
• Participate in a variety of service projects within the community
• Serve alongside and recruit volunteers for various projects
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings
• Participate in staff meetings
• Attend required weekly meetings with supervisor
• Coordinate projects with team members
• Personal transportation
• Participate in the following Leadership Components - (Select all that apply):

X Mentor Program Coordination

• Member coordinates a mentoring program, matching students with mentors and overseeing the operation of the program throughout their term. The Goodwill Goodguides program model will be utilized to structure this program. Member may also organize mentee/mentor events, coordinate student assessments, communicate with student parents and teachers, etc.

X Academic Support Program Coordination

• Member coordinates a mentoring program focused on academic support for students. The member will oversee the operation and matching of students throughout the term in addition to organizing activities such as career/job fairs, college info nights, SAT prep classes, etc.

X Community Outreach and Education Awareness Coordination

• Member coordinates partnerships within the community for increased student involvement. This may be with nonprofits or community leaders to enhance students' involvement, internship opportunities, community collaborations, and resources. Member will coordinate community projects, compile resources, network, and create programming around community partnerships.

• Service Learning Coordination

• Member coordinates school-wide service learning curriculum and/or projects.

Site Specific Essential Functions:

• Video Production – Capable members will develop video journals, case studies, and instructional videos to show other schools what they've learned.
• Graphic Design – Create tips-and-tricks resources, website art, and shared curriculum materials.
• Website Development and Resources– We will develop libraries of downloadable resources for schools and post them online.
• Guide Book Writing – Develop the how-to book for teachers and school administrators.
• Grant Review – Select grant winners, review applications, notify awardees.

Performance Outcomes: Performance data will be collected through quarterly reports around the following measures (#'s are program totals):

Output: Stipended members will support a caseload of at-risk students to increase educational attainment. 750 students will start an educational program supported by the member.

Intermediate Outcome: 175 students who had been identified as needing support to enroll in post secondary education will enroll in post secondary education due to their work with the stipended member or a program managed by the member.

Intermediate Outcome: 120 students identified as needing support to graduate from high school will graduate from high school.

Output: Stipended members will support a caseload of at-risk students to increase educational attainment. 500 of the 750 students who started the program will "complete" participation by receiving at least one hour of intervention per week for at least 6 months in the education program supported by the member.

Intermediate Outcome: 180 students previously identified as being truant (10 days absent in total or 7 consecutive school days absent) will have improved school attendance (meet school attendance policies) as measured by reviewing student attendance records.

Work Schedule/Working Conditions: 35 - 40 hour week - Includes some weekend and evening hours. Fast paced environment with various deadlines and multiple internal and external stakeholders. Work is performed in schools, out in the community, in government agencies, and in non-profit settings among people of all ages. Members will work both in an office setting; using computer, copier, fax, and general office equipment, as well as work directly with youth and community members. Because of the nature of the project and rural geography, personal transportation is encouraged.

Working Relationships/Support: Member will be provided support by the direct Supervisor and Host Site Organization as well as the AmeriCorps Staff. Member will receive a thorough on-site and AmeriCorps Orientation, Host Site specific training and training on a variety of topics related to work within a nonprofit setting. Various reporting will be required of the member throughout the term by the AmeriCorps Staff regarding member performance, completion of goals, training accomplishments, and continuous improvement of our program.

Prohibited Activities:

Under the law, AmeriCorps members may not take part in the following activities during their AmeriCorps service hours:

• attempting to influence legislation;
• organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;
• assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
• impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
• engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
• participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;
• engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;
• conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive;
• providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services;
• Participating in Prohibited Fundraising Activities:
  • Raising funds for his or her living allowance
  • Writing grant applications for AmeriCorps funding or for any other funding provided by CNCS
  • Writing grant applications for federal funding
• Providing a direct benefit to—
  • a business organized for profit,
  • a labor union,
  • a partisan political organization,
  • or a nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
• and such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.

You may exercise your rights as a private citizen to participate in these activities on your own time and at your own initiative, but you may not use any AmeriCorps funds or resources, and you may not wear the AmeriCorps uniform or logo while doing so. You may not be perceived to be serving as an AmeriCorps member while participating in these activities.

Vulnerable Populations: This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations (individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, children).

Site Benefits: We may have temporary housing to aid the member in transition and a gas allowance for travel to school sites.

AmeriCorps Member Benefits

All AmeriCorps positions have a living allowance of $12,100 evenly divided over the course of their 10.5 month term, health insurance coverage from the first day of service to the last day of the last month of their term, and a $5,550 education award (upon completion) to apply to previous federal student loans or continuing education costs at an institution that accepts the GI Bill. Applicable student loans can be put in forbearance and any interest accrued during the term will be paid by AmeriCorps. Members are covered under health insurance and workers compensation. Eligible members can also apply for child care reimbursement. Mileage to AmeriCorps Sponsored Training events will be reimbursed to members. The local host site will reimburse mileage expenses associated with project related travel at the rate which they reimburse their staff. Members also receive significant professional and personal development training.

See www.americorps.gov for more information of AmeriCorps service.

This position is unique to AmeriCorps and does not displace organization staff or volunteers.

*Individuals with disabilities who may need reasonable accommodations are expected to make arrangements in advance for accommodation by confidentially discussing their needs with AmeriCorps Program Staff. All hiring decisions are based on nondiscriminatory factors without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or status as a veteran. We promote a positive and healthy working environment with respect for diversity.

This document is available in alternative formats upon request.