NJ Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) Peer Mentor

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Background: The International Rescue Committee is New Jersey’s largest refugee resettlement organization, serving over 2000 refugees and immigrants each year with resettlement, economic empowerment, education and learning and immigration legal services. The IRC in NJ’s youth program started in 2012 and works in collaboration with schools and families to overcome barriers and promote the academic and social success of refugee students. The trauma of being forced from their homes, prolonged separation from loved ones, displacement, language barriers and poor or lapsed education compounds the academic challenges faced by refugee youth. IRC currently works with over 245+ refugee and humanitarian parolee students enrolled in nearly 20 school districts.

Scope of Work: In July & August 2024, the IRC in New Jersey will host a four-week summer program focusing on English as a
Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in northern New Jersey. The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) will serve up to 130 students ages 5 - 20, in ten classes, from at least 10 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, and recreational activities. Field trips will be held once per week. The Peer Mentor will be a key part of the classroom instructional team and will reinforce English language development with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.

IRC seeks twenty-five Peer Mentors to support a self-contained classroom, assisting Lead Teachers and Teacher Assistants with English literacy and ESL instruction. Each Peer Mentor is expected to collaborate with their Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant as they support a culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students. Peer Mentors will support newcomer multilingual students' academic and social emotional growth during the program not only by ensuring classroom instruction runs smoothly but also by serving as positive role models for newcomer youth. Peer Mentors will be enthusiastic about motivating students to do their best and create a trusting and comfortable environment for students to learn.

Position Term: Training: July 15-19, 9:00am - 5:00pm; Program: July 22 - August 10, Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm

Major Responsibilities:

• Model appropriate student behavior and academic engagement
• Assist classroom staff with classroom activities and lessons on a daily basis
• Tutor students individually or in small groups
• Assist in supervision of daily student meals and student arrival/dismissal
• Supervise small chaperone groups at off-site field trips
• Act as a positive role model for students
• Assist teachers and staff with classroom management
• Participate and promote student engagement in recreational activities (yoga, music, art, sports)
• Engage in daily all-staff debriefings
• Assist with daily operations including student arrival and dismissal, lunchtime setup/clean up, and Friday field trips
• Participate in staff and volunteer training the week of, including curriculum development and overview of IRC’s Social and Emotional Asset Development (SEAD) Curriculum (addressing social and emotional needs of refugee youth)
• Assisting in providing feedback on student growth and complete student evaluation forms
• Comply with all agency policies and protocols, including providing feedback on training and program-wide evaluation

Position indirectly reports to: Youth Program Specialist, Youth Program Supervisor, Education Coordinator, Other Internal and/or external contacts: Teacher Assistant, Volunteer Activity Facilitators (Yoga, Art, Sports, Music)

Working Environment:

• Monday-Friday, the program will be held at Kean University.
• Necessary travel to field trips on Fridays
• Lunches are provided for the duration of the program.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Must be available for all training days and the entire duration of the program. No exceptions.

Education:

• Working toward high school diploma, GED, or college degree
• Minimum age: rising high school senior

Work Experience:

• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred
• Experience working with youth of diverse backgrounds preferred
• Tutoring experience highly desirable

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Rapport building skills with youth and/or adults of diverse backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience desirable
• Knowledge of classroom procedures; health and safety precautions desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Motivated and self-directed
• Mature, reliable, flexible, and punctual

Language Skills: Second language proficiency language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Haitian Creole).