IDEA Public Schools
Remote
2021-11-03
Alumni Facilitator Intern (Immediate Opening)
3.1
About IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools believes that each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to the fastest-growing network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools in the United States.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves more than 53,000 college-bound students in 96 schools across Texas and Southern Louisiana and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that thrives on the engagement of our alumni and community members as well as the financial support of advocates, donors, foundations, and friends of IDEA.
About the C3 Program
Four years ago, IDEA was awarded an Education, Innovation, and Research grant. As a result, IDEA created the C3 program which works with counselors, students, teachers, and parents to cultivate college-going identity. One element of the program is hosting small groups of students to discuss and reflect on their identity development.
The transition to college is difficult for all students, but we rarely talk about the hardships. When students go to college and struggle, they may believe that they are the only ones who are having a hard time, which can trigger a sense of not belonging. We recognize that it is important for students to see themselves in college by seeing people who are “like me” overcoming obstacles in college. Therefore, we would like to activate vicarious learning by having trained alumni facilitate conversations with current IDEA seniors to normalize the college process.
Alumni facilitators will be trained on facilitating small groups and delivering social/emotional curriculum. Then alumni facilitators will meet with groups of 10-15 current students to deliver the curriculum and share their experiences in college. Alumni facilitators will work with small groups a month and should anticipate working about 20-25 hours a month. This internship runs from January through July.
Accountabilities
- Participate in training about small group dynamics and social/emotional and identity development curriculum
- Co-lead 4-5 small groups per month
- Attend check in meetings once a month to deliver feedback about the curriculum and brainstorm the solution to any group problems
- Communicate with school counselor leads to organize chat sessions
- Check-in with coordinators and leads and discuss program development
Lives the values of IDEA
- Believes that any student with the will, drive, and appropriate supports can graduate from college.
- Understands that systemic barriers in higher education exist and interrupt access and success for many students and that new approaches are needed to provide alternatives to the traditional higher education system.
- Has a propensity for action; is willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly.
Qualifications:
- IDEA Alumni
- Must be available to meet during the day, evenings, and weekends – flexible schedule; Can commit to at least 20 hours a month
- Successful completion of one year of college
- 3.0 GPA or higher
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, high emotional intelligence and positive attitude
- Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative
- Desire to support current high school Seniors in their transition to college
- Ability to lead group conversations and follow guided topic conversations; preferred experience leading small groups
- Dedicated to continuous improvement; receive and implement feedback quickly
Knowledge and Skills:
- Excellent oral communication skills
- High emotional intelligence
- Highly self-motivated and proactive
- Ability to work with a diverse group of people
- High interpersonal skills
Compensation:
- Hours: 20-30 hours/month
- Pay Rate: $10/hour
- Flexible schedule
- Remote work assignment