Breakthrough Austin creates first-generation college graduates. The program admits students in middle school and makes a long-term commitment to helping them graduate from high school and college by providing academic summer programs, individualized academic support and enrichment and college-prep activities for students and families. Breakthrough Austin operates several summer sites located at The University of Texas, a campus in Manor Independent School District, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and the Breakthrough office in East Austin. Breakthrough seeks enthusiastic, creative, and successful college students to teach and mentor participants in our rising 10th grade and rising 12th grade programs. The 10th Grade Leadership Institute is a two week program and 12th grade students participate in a 1-week College Application Institute and an overnight college visit. Both positions begins on Wednesday, June 3rd and end Monday, July 20th.
The Leadership Institute will focus on school success and college and career exploration through the development of leadership and communication skills for our 107 rising 10th graders in Manor and Austin, TX. Objectives include:
Students will have increased confidence and skillfulness as communicators
Students will have a greater self-awareness of their strengths and areas for development
Students will have a greater sense of responsibility and self-management
Students will have a greater knowledge of how to build strong relationships to be successful and how to work as a team
Students will apply leadership skills by designing and completing a community service project.
The College Application Institute will give rising 12th grade students a head start on the college application process through a series of workshops on financial aid, college essays, resumes, and professional communication. Objectives include:
Students will have increased knowledge of components of a complete college application
Students will understand the attributes of a strong college essay and apply this knowledge by completing at least one Apply Texas essay
Students will have increased knowledge of different colleges/universities and majors
Following the College Application Institute rising 12th grade students will go on an overnight college visit accompanied by Breakthrough staff and teaching interns.
For both programs, summer teaching interns will be responsible for teaching small groups of students as well as helping facilitate large-group activities, with the guidance and support of Breakthrough staff and other educators
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
Teach a class of 8-10 students (with curriculum focusing on school success, leadership and communication development)
Serve as writing coaches for 12th grade students
Lead and participate in large- and small-group team-building activities
Learn from your directors and colleagues
Communicate with parents and families about your students
Serve as a leader and mentor to the 10th and 12th grade students
Arrive early, stay late, work hard, and make a difference
Timeframe: June 3 – July 20, 2015
8 days of teacher training: June 3-12
10th Grade Leadership Institute: June 15 – June 30
1 day of family conferences: Saturday, June 27
Leadership Institute Wrap-Up: July 1-2
12th Grade Summer Program: July 6-15
12th Grade Summer Program Wrap-Up: July 16-17
Presentations of learning: July 20th
Qualifications:
Successful, motivated college students who are interested in educational equity and skilled in leading students. All majors are encouraged to apply. Experience in leadership and leadership development preferred. Spanish speaking preferred. Additionally, all applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Be 17 years or older (by start of program—June 8, 2015)
Be enrolled and in good standing at a high school or four-year college or university
Be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the United States
Have a commitment to community service and the ability to provide service for the complete program
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Effective communication skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to follow through with assigned tasks and responsibilities
Flexibility and openness to changing roles
Ability to work on a team and be an active team member
Responds well to constructive criticism and input on how to improve performance
Effective tutoring and mentoring skills
Willingness to learn and to attend all AmeriCorps trainings
Commitment to working with youth and to community service
Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
Ability to complete paperwork and meet deadlines
Bilingual (Spanish) a plus
Hours, Benefits, and Compensation:
As Minimum TimeAmeriCorps members, summer teachers are required to accumulate 300 hours within the service period (approximately 50 hours/week with occasional Saturday or evening events). Members are responsible for tracking and receiving approval of their hours and receive the following:
Living Stipend $1500
Education Award- upon completion of 300 service hours, all members are eligible to receive an Education Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service in the amount of $1212
Non-monetary benefits (on-going support, professional development)
Assistance securing on-campus housing (if applicable)
How to apply
Interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and college transcript to Zakiyyah Kareem, Associate Director of UT Programs & Student Support, zakiyyah@breakthroughaustin.org