Aspire! Learning Links AmeriCorps Member

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Founded in 1994 as Greenbrier Learning Center (GLC), Aspire! provides innovative, results-driven out-of-school time programs to support expanded learning opportunities for children from low-income, immigrant, and refugee households.

Learning ROCKS! is an original Aspire! program, serving 80 3rd-5th grade students each day after school across three sites, as well as 50 students during the six-week, full-day summer camp. The Learning ROCKS! Curriculum focuses heavily on language arts and reading, as well as the following three themes: academic and study skills; life-skills; and community and culture. Finally, Aspire! emphasizes arts and creativity as a means of self-expression for students as well as accessing and internalizing academic content in new and meaningful ways.

The Learning Links AmeriCorps Program provides a critical link across the three main aspects of a child’s daily experience: at school; after school and in the summer; and at home/in the community. Toward this end, Aspire! partners closely with and supports both schools and parents. Specifically, full-time Corps Members provide direct services two or three days per week at each of the schools where Aspire’s students are enrolled, as well as implementing the daily Learning ROCKS! Program, after school and in the summer. And, Aspire’s Parent Connection program provides relevant, topic-based workshops to help parents support their children’s education, as well as to develop their own skills and confidence.

Aspire! has Learning Links AmeriCorps positions available for the period August 2016 through August 2017.

Each AmeriCorps Member will work closely with the AmeriCorps Members team to implement the Learning ROCKS! Program, providing expanded learning opportunities to students. Corps Members are an integral part of Aspire's afterschool program by actively planning weekly schedules, implementing lesson plans, leading literature circles and homework groups, and more.

Responsibilities:
 Plan and implement Learning ROCKS! program themes in coordination with other AmeriCorps Members and Learning Rocks! Program Manager by creating daily lesson plans;
 Provide direct support and services to approximately 20 - 40 students each day, including appropriate supervision and assistance during homework completion time and recreational activities;
 Plan and implement full-day summer camp lessons, activities, guest speakers, and field trips;
 Provide meaningful guidance and support for Learning ROCKS! volunteers;
 Communicate with parents/guardians and visitors in a professional and meaningful manner;
 Achieve program goals in close collaboration with the full-time AmeriCorps Members, Site Coordinators, Program Manager, and Assistant Director;
 Actively contribute to a Community of Practice that identifies and refines best practices in children and youth programming;
 Help in daily maintenance of the Aspire! program sites;
 Complete monthly AmeriCorps Great Stories, service reflections, and program activities reports;
 Participate in required AmeriCorps and/or National Days of Service projects; and
 Comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and agreements of the organization.

Minimum Requirements:
 U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien;
 High school graduate or equivalent, at least 17 years old;
 Commitment to local, community-based organizations;
 Self-motivation, independence, resourcefulness, and flexibility;
 Creativity, dependability, and flexibility;
 Excellent time management and communication skills;
 Professional communication skills - ability to interact well with children, parents, teachers, volunteers, and program staff; and
 A great sense of humor!

Ideal candidates would also have:
 College degree and/or course work in Education, Social Work, or similar field;
 Bilingual (Spanish/Arabic/Amharic/other and English) skills, including reading, writing, and conversation preferred;
 Experience in and/or knowledge of child development and primary education fields;
 Experience in positive behavioral modification practices for individuals and groups of children; and
 Experience working with linguistically and culturally diverse populations.

Time Commitment:
 Term of Service: August 2016 through August 2017; and
 This is a full-time commitment during the term of service.

Benefits:
 Full-time AmeriCorps Members who successfully complete a term of service (1700 hours) are eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $5,550;
 Additional benefits include training, $1,055/month living stipend, student-loan forbearance or deferment, health care benefit, and, depending on eligibility, childcare assistance;
 Corps Members receive time off for winter break and spring break, as well as personal days off; and
 Aspire! is committed to strengthening Corps Members’ professional and personal development. Corps Members will receive training in a variety of topics including: content areas, tutoring skills, child development, behavior management, education theory, leadership skills, and team building. Additionally, AmeriCorps Members will have significant autonomy and ownership over many aspects of programming and service.

To Apply:
 Send a cover letter, and resume to jobs@aspireafterschool.org - subject line: AmeriCorps

Aspire's Learning Links AmeriCorps program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the position is contingent upon approved funding.

Aspire! shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.