OSU Kid Corps - Team Coordinator Position Description, 2009-2010

What is OSU Kid Corps?

OSU Kid Corps, Americorps, and Ohio Community Service Council logos

OSU Kid Corps is designed to help at risk preschoolers enter school prepared to succeed. The program focuses specifically on enhancing preschoolers' cognitive development so they have the pre-literacy competence needed to succeed, and on providing experiences that foster the positive interactions with other children needed for development of pro-social skills and the ability to control their own behavior. The program is also designed to support families' involvement in their children's educational experiences.

These commitments to children's success are accomplished through engaging Ohio State University students in service to the community. Students involved in the program will gain professional development experience as well as a better understanding of the importance of community involvement. The community as a whole will benefit not only from its children developing school success skills, but also from the partnership with the university and access to additional resources.

What is the Position?

The OSU Kid Corps Team Coordinator position is open to students who hold early childhood educational backgrounds and would be willing to serve in a team management role. An OSU Kid Corps Team Coordinator will serve on a part time basis (usually 12-15 hours per week) during the 2009-10 school year. The Team Coordinators responsibilities will include managing a team consisting of 9-10 corps members, facilitating team activities, conducting curriculum planning and overseeing its implementation, modeling developmentally appropriate practice in child development, holding weekly team meetings, communicating with the center in which your team is working and coordinating/documenting relevant information.

The service activities of OSU Kid Corps fall into four main areas:

Direct interaction between trained OSU student Corps members and center-based preschoolers in small groups. The small groups' activities are designed to develop pre-literacy skills and to foster the positive interactions with peers and adults that are needed for the development of pro-social skills and the ability to control one's own behavior. Corps members will be trained in and use evidence-based models for developing pre-literacy and behavioral skills.
Support of parents' involvement in their children's education through contact between student Corps members and parents. Corps members will be equipped to provide parents with materials for research-based activities and resources for increasing children's literacy, social skills, and physical health.
Provision of research-based activities and resources to teachers and other workers in early childhood centers in collaboration with faculty and staff in the College of Education and Human Ecology.
Outreach activities conducted by OSU student Corps members that are designed to extend research-based models and skills to home-based childcare providers.

Who Are We Looking For?

We are looking for students at The Ohio State University who:

Are eligible for Federal Work Study Awards.
Are experienced in early childhood development and education settings and knowledge of early childhood best practices.
Are experienced in a leadership/management role.
Have strong language and communication skills.
Have the ability to build relationships and work with peers, program partner teachers and administrators, community members, children and families.
Have a commitment to community service.
Have the ability to work with adults, children and families from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds.
Possess strong organizational and management skills.

What is the Time Commitment?

The Team Coordinator will complete at least 300 hours of service throughout the 2009-10 school year.
A minimum of 11 hours per week is required, however it should be noted that many weeks will require 12 to 15 hours depending on the events and planning that are happening at that particular time.

How and When Am I Paid?

You'll earn a Federal Work Study compensation rate of $9.95/hour. You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis via direct deposit into your bank account.
Upon successful completion of 300 hours of service, you will earn a $1,000 AmeriCorps Education Award.

What Other Benefits Will I Get?

This is an excellent opportunity for professional growth and development as well as an opportunity for important community service.

Return to Application Information.

The Ohio State University

www.osu.edu