VISTA Position: School-Based Tutoring Coordinator
Term of Service: September 16, 2010 – September 15, 2011
Classification: VISTA (National Service AmeriCorps*VISTA)
Wage/Stipend: $11,232 Gross Annual Subsistence
Application Process
a. Select “AmeriCorps VISTA” as the program type
b. Select “Minnesota” as the state
c. Type in “coordinator” or “tutoring” under program name)
2. Submit the full on-line application.
· Note: Recommendations must include at least one supervisor (someone who has directly supervised you in paid or volunteer work)
3. Submit additional information via email direct to Beka Peterson at the SPPS Foundation (bcp [at] sppsfoundation [dot] org) as follows:
· Cover letter expressing reason for interest in this specific position.
· Résumé
· Unofficial college transcripts (if electronic document not available, fax to: 651-379-5344)
Service Description
The Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation works in partnership with the Saint Paul Public School district, community partners and agencies, to coordinate a city-wide tutoring initiative, the Tutoring Partnership for Academic Excellence. Our goal is to ensure high-quality tutoring for students in Saint Paul. The SPPS Foundation Tutoring Partnership currently includes community-based tutoring providers and school-based VISTA tutoring projects. VISTA members are an integral part of the SPPS Foundation Tutoring Partnership.
School-based VISTA members will work directly with school administration, teachers, support staff, students, and families to develop and manage intentional tutoring/academic interventions that supplement classroom learning at the school site. VISTA member will support the mission of SPPS to closing the academic achievement gap. The VISTA member will grow the pool of volunteer tutors and community partners while sustaining the pre-existing relationships from the previous year. This will be done individually as well as in collaboration with other SPPSF VISTA members when appropriate. To maintain the quality of tutoring, the VISTA will consistently evaluate program operations in adherence to Foundation Best Practices. Tutoring programs operate by pairing caring adults with students in 1:1 or small group settings. The VISTA member provides volunteer tutors with training, materials, and on-going support.
Expectations for SPPS Foundation VISTA members include:
1. Participate in regular convenings and on-going professional development sponsored by the Foundation
2. Attend selected board meetings, committee meetings and community gatherings
3. Engage with many sectors of the community: corporate, governmental, non-profit, education, and faith-based organizations.
Specific member duties include:
1. Inventory current school-site activities/programs to identify areas of strength areas of need.
2. Recruit up to 100 volunteer tutors for school site via marketing, social media, community outreach, and partner development.
3. Coordinate daily operations of site-based tutoring program including: processing applications and background checks, scheduling tutoring time, training volunteers, matching volunteers with students, creating lesson materials, and being in communication with volunteers and site staff.
4. Assess impact of academic support services by keeping accurate and timely records of tutors and tutoring intervention using Foundation database.
5. Participate in Foundation's on-going strategic planning, program development, and expansion planning.
6. Participate in a variety of meetings that include different public education stakeholders (e.g. District, City of St. Paul, SPPSF Board, district councils, etc.).
Promising candidates are individuals who share our commitment to the success of disaffected students in Saint Paul Public Schools by providing academic supports through high-quality tutoring in literacy and math.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree.
· Ability to learn quickly, take initiative, be flexible, and work in a fast-paced environment.
· Excellent direct communication skills required—written and oral.
· Cross-cultural proficiency desired.
· Experience as teacher, group leader, trainer and/or facilitator.
· Skilled in computer software including social media.
· Travel in and around SPPS sites and St. Paul will be expected on an occasional basis.
Candidates must have graduated with a four-year college degree prior to the start of service and be prepared for a one-year national service commitment which includes $11,232 Gross Annual Subsistence (see “Service Commitment” for guidelines and policies).
Benefits to SPPS Foundation VISTA Members
The SPPS Foundation offers our VISTA members unique opportunities to prepare for professional work or graduate study. VISTAs are embedded in work sites as an integral part of the staff team—working with Foundation staff, district administration, program directors, school leadership, teachers and students at a deep level and on a daily basis. VISTAs are mentored in developing broad and deep networks with many sectors: corporate, governmental, non-profit, education, and faith-based organizations. All Foundation VISTA members will have access to the resources of the Foundation.
The Foundation convenes VISTA members as teams (“cohorts”) on a bi-monthly basis to engage in professional development. The Foundation provides significant commitment to continued support of VISTAs including supervision, training, resources (in-kind), and mentoring for VISTA members. Host site supervisors will also receive on-going support from the Foundation to provide on-site support to VISTA members toward completion of project goals.
