Location: Elizabeth,NJ, USA
In July & August 2024, the IRC in New Jersey will host a four-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in northern New Jersey. The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) will serve up to 130 students ages 5 - 20, in ten classes, from at least 10 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, and recreational activities. Field trips will be held once per week. The Peer Mentor will be a key part of the classroom instructional team and will reinforce English language development with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.
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 a culturally and 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.
UpdateMinimum Qualifications:Update* 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 diverse backgrounds preferred
* Tutoring experience highly desirable
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
* Rapport building skills with youth and/or adults of diverse backgrounds
* Strong interpersonal skills
* Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience desirable
* 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 OpportunityEmployer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity atour company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color,national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age,marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure thatindividuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation toparticipate in the job application or interview process, to perform essentialjob functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.Please contact us to request accommodation.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.