Newcomer Youth Summer Academy Peer Mentor (unpaid)
Support Peer Mentors assisting classroom with literacy and ESL instruction
Overview
Support Peer Mentors assisting classroom with literacy and ESL instruction
You have:
- Must be available for all training days and the entire duration of the program. No exceptions.
- Working toward high school diploma, GED, or college degree.
- Minimum age: rising high school senior.
- Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.
- Experience working with youth of various backgrounds preferred.
- Tutoring experience highly desirable.
- Rapport building skills with youth and/or adults of various backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Second language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Haitian Creole).
IRC seeks twenty-five volunteer 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 an 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.
Qualifications 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
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to****: Lead Teacher, Youth Programs Specialist
Indirect Reporting: Youth Program Coordinator, Education Coordinator Other Internal and/or external contacts: Teacher Assistant, Volunteer Activity Facilitators (Yoga, Art, Sports, Music)
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 various backgrounds preferred
· Tutoring experience highly desirable
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
· Rapport building skills with youth and/or adults of various backgrounds
· Strong interpersonal skills
· Experience with various global environments and contexts.
· 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).
Working Environment:
· Monday-Friday, the program will be held at a university contracted space (previously Kean University).
· Necessary travel to field trips on Fridays and the university the program is held at Monday-Thursday.
Working Environment: The Academy takes place on campus at a university contracted space (previously Kean University). Lunches are provided for the duration of the program.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you helped someone overcome a challenge? | This question assesses your empathy, problem-solving skills, and ability to support others effectively. | Share a specific example and explain the steps you took to help them. |
| How do you build trust with students from diverse backgrounds? | The interviewer wants to know your strategies for establishing rapport with students. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What activities do you think promote student engagement effectively? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a team to achieve a goal. What was your role? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you handle a situation where a student is not participating in class? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |