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Freedom School: Apply to be a Servant Leader Intern

Job Descriptioncdf-freedom-schools-participate-150b

Freedom Schools®’ paid Servant Leader Interns facilitate a literacy rich curriculum during the mornings and lead/chaperone STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities and field trips in the afternoons with rising K-5th grade scholars.  Interns also help serve breakfast, snack, and lunch.  Attendance at several parent meetings during the summer, typically on weeknights, is expected.

SLIs receive 2 weeks of national and local training in May/June, then Freedom School is in session for 6 weeks in the summer, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. All expenses related to travel and training are paid by Welcome Table Inc., a Freedom Schools® partner.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as energetic leaders during Harambee’, the morning gathering.
  • Deliver the Integrated Reading Curriculum to a class of ten scholars for 6 weeks.
  • Serve as leaders of afternoon STEAM activities and other special events and chaperone field trips.
  • Collaborate with the program staff to establish and maintain a positive, supportive and structured environment for the children entrusted to their care.
  • Maintain health and safety standards & accurate records relating to attendance, assessment and first aid.
  • Set-up, maintain and breakdown classroom space.

Qualifications

At least 19 years old, enrolled in college and completed at least 1 year of undergraduate studies with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or college graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email us at Freedom School Austin.

About Freedom Schools®

Founded in 1995 by the Children’s Defense Fund, Freedom Schools® program is a direct service initiative which provides summer options for scholars while strengthening parent and community involvement in the year-round achievement of scholars.  Freedom Schools® serve rising K-5th grade scholars for six weeks teaching integrate reading, STEAM activities, conflict resolution, and social action in an activity-based curriculum that promotes social, cultural, and historical awareness.

Built around the theme “I Can Make a Difference in Myself, My Family, My Community, My Country and My World with Hope, Action and Education,” Freedom Schools® provide a literacy-rich, culturally-inspiring curriculum in which scholars learn to love to read and explore STEAM activities.  Using multicultural role models, community guests who share personal stories of making a difference, cooperative games, and activities for critical thinking, the children gain confidence and skills to strengthen their school-year performance.

Application Instructions:

No opening available at this time.

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10 Tips for Success by Barbara L. Bergin, MD

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Save the date: June 22nd, 2014

A program of the East Austin Wellness Center presents

10 Tips for success by Barbara L. Bergin, MD

10 basic tips that can change yourpath in school, in your career, relationships…and life! Do not miss this chance to learn with us. Everyone is welcomed to attend, especially your teens!

St. James’ Episcopal Church

1941 Webberville Road Austin, TX 78721

Founders Hall at 12:00 pm

Snacks will be provided

Sponsored by St. James’ Episcopal Church, Welcome Table Inc., and Texas Orthopedics Sports and Rehabilitation Associates

Click for More Information

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Freedom Schools Austin

Freedom Schools Austin gives children three fundamental resources needed to develop their potential: 1. Literacy skills 2. Character strengths needed to make good decisions and 3. A community that believes in them. Freedom Schools’ impact extends to transform college student interns into advocates for children and inspire them to be future leaders, and to deepen the community’s investment in children.

Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs are six-week summer literacy programs led by college student interns. In 2014, Freedom Schools Austin will run from June 16 – July 25. Freedom Schools serve children who most need and yet can least afford summer learning opportunities. Championing the cause to defeat summer learning loss and giving every child an opportunity to succeed is the foundation of  Freedom Schools. In addition to the program elements described below, scholars receive two meals and a snack daily.

Information for Parents

Your scholar could be one of the over 100,000 scholars who have had a CDF Freedom Schools® experience since 1995!ReadingClass_IMG_9160.JPG-1024x682

In partnership with Welcome Table Inc., the CDF Freedom Schools®program works hard to ensure each scholar is equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in life. Our program boosts scholars’ motivation to read, and generates a more positive attitude towards learning Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math.  It also connects the needs of scholars and families to the resources of their communities.

Servant Leader Interns

Servant Leader Interns are college students with the passion and commitment to be a role model in the life of a child. Interns serve as teachers during classroom activities and mentors through their scholars’ time in Freedom Schools. Interns receive 90 hours of training on curriculum delivery, youth development, and classroom management prior to working in Freedom Schools.

Site Testing Manager

The Site Testing Manager is a professor, graduate student majoring in education psychology, or a current or retired teacher who will help us assess each student in our program.

More Information and Video

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Powerful Tools for Caregivers

powerful tools for caregivers logoAn exceptional series of 6 classes that addresses the challenges faced by those who provide unpaid care for an elder or an adult with a chronic illness. Participants will learn and practice a variety of communication skills that result in better self-care and improved caregiving.

Click here to take the caregiver quiz!

Led by trained facilitators • Proven effective at reducing stress
Dynamic and fun small group format
FREE • No cost for participation

MONDAYS • 6:30-8:30 PM
April 7 – May 12
St.James’ Episcopal Church
1941 Webberville Road • Austin TX

To register and for more information about
Powerful Tools for Caregivers please call 512-698-2550.

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How Denise gives back to N2N

Neighbor 2 Neighbor-11-EditDenise is a vivacious, energetic young woman who seems always to be in the middle of any activity going on at Neighbor2Neighbor.  Her infectious smile is usually the first thing you notice about her.

Denise first came to N2N at the request of her older sister.  Her sister, raising five grandchildren on her own had found friends at N2N and wanted Denise to experience the same “friendliness and sharing” that she had experienced at the St. James’ Tuesday program.    Denise’s sister told her she would be treated with respect  and fairness.

Denise’s oldest sister has experienced years of hardship: from poor health to a daughter abusing drugs to most recently losing a grandson, an event that nearly sent her “over the edge.,” according to Denise.  That is where Denise stepped in.  She brought her story to Neighbor2Neighbor where the family was offered assistance with food, references for funeral arrangements and referrals for grief counseling.

Denise began to come to N2N on a regular basis and bring others with her.  She is able to see the importance of all working together because that is how she seeks to live her life.  Clean and sober for seven years, Denise has never wanted to go back to a life of abusing drugs and alcohol and now she looks for every opportunity to help others.

When Denise arrives at Founders’ Hall on Tuesdays, the first thing she says after “Hello and how are you?” is “What can I do to help?”  She does everything from helping sort the fresh vegetables to arranging chairs to mopping up after everyone has left.  All the while expressing her gratitude.  Denise loves to talk about the blessings she receives.  She doesn’t always realize what a blessing she is to others.

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How Wayne has become an important contributor to N2N

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Wayne was born and raised in Austin and attended Lanier High School.  He played football and fondly remembers his principal, one of St. James’ own, the late Mr. Ed Elliot.  After high school, Wayne enlisted in the Army.  For two and a half years, he served his country in an artillery unit.   Wayne was injured while on duty and had to leave the Army. He wandered about for a while kind of at loose ends.  He experienced a few rough periods, then attempted to start over, but was besieged with health problems.  He was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which led to other complications, and finally diabetes.

Wayne is the first to tell you that part of his illness is due to neglecting his own health.  Trying to work and take care of his physical needs took its toll on Wayne.  His kidneys began failing and he had to start dialysis.  That changed his life, says Wayne.   But he also says God gave him another chance.  That chance is what brought him to Neighbor2Neighbor.

On a Tuesday, months ago,  Wayne showed up at St. James’ Neighbor2Neighbor program.  He had heard of the program from his friend Denise and eager to be of help, Wayne asked what he could do.  He started out helping another volunteer, and when Freddy stopped coming Wayne took over.  He comes early and starts filling the food bags.  He organizes the shelves and lets us know when we need certain items.  Wayne seems to know what the people need.  He keeps an eye out for the young mother who might need extra diapers, or for the homeless man who needs easy-to-open cans or packages.  He reminds us who received laundry detergent the time before and who could really use it this week.

Wayne’s question is always: “What can I do to help?”  When asked about that Wayne says because he was given a second chance, he wants to use his days helping people.  On disability and not able to work, Wayne  not only volunteers at Neighbor2Neighbor, but at his girlfriend’s mother’s beauty shop and for others in his neighborhood  Wayne has been on dialysis three times a week for eight years, but his positive attitude and eagerness to help others greatly inspires many who have so much more.

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