College Bound Program, Lynch School of Education

Graduate Instructors 2015 College Bound Program, Lynch School of Education Boston College

What is the College Bound Program? College Bound is a year round pre-collegiate out of school time enrichment and support program offered to a diverse group of 50-60 students from several Boston Public High Schools. The mission of the College Bound Program is to empower students to become positive change agents in their schools and communities. Students participate in three courses: Academic Enhancement (STEM), Social and Environment Justice, and College and Career Coaching. Through a Social Justice and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) lens, students conduct participatory action research projects on community-based issues. Student led projects include; a) Establishing Urban Hydro Farmers-Boston Teens Growing Greens, a nonprofit hydroponic farming business, b) Connecting with their communities through an Urban Health Air Quality Initiative using GIS software, and c) Developing a robust Media and Public Relations Team to document and produce promotional materials highlighting the students’ projects and impact on the local community.

The College Bound Program is housed in The Office of Urban Outreach Initiatives (UOI), within the Lynch School of Education. UOI functions to coordinate a wide variety of urban outreach initiatives within the Boston Public School System and the Boston community at large. The office directs the activity of several key programs including College Bound Program, the Charles F. Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program, and the Community Partnership Initiative.

Essential Functions: College Bound Instructors will work in co-teams.  Social Justice Instructors These instructors lead a course designed to link the STEM projects the students are working on with their communities to the relevant social and environmental justice issues that arise as a result of students’ leadership and interventions. Topics include; what does it mean for youth to be engaged in social justice work, exploring the relevancy between youth empowerment and community organizing, cultivating increased knowledge and understanding about the power of youth initiated research as a tool for advocacy and social change. Undergraduate College Bound mentors will also be a part of this class.  College & Career Coaching Instructors The College and Career Coaching session aims to prepare students to make the connections among high school effort, college, and exploring future career options using transferable STEM skills. The instructors implement curriculum that helps students learn about themselves, their interests, and career goals, as well as identify and access resources for college and career planning. Undergraduate College Bound mentors will also be a part of this class.

 College Bound Advisers: These advisers will communicate regularly with the Social Justice and College and Career Coaching instructors and be available to offer more individualized/small group support to students as needed. Areas could include; socio-emotional support, academic tutoring access, college scholarship opportunities, ELL strategies, etc…These advisers will also explore youth leadership opportunities via conferences, seminars, mayor’s council, where our College Bound youth can showcase their work and talents. The advisers will also coordinate the College Bound College for a Night Program that brings together faculty and our College Bound students into undergraduate or graduate classes during the academic year.

Key Responsibilities:  Work in lead teams of two during the College Bound Sessions  Plan lessons for approximately 15-25 high school students  Submit lesson plans or project plans to Urban Outreach staff point person(s) for feedback  Participate in the STEM Saturday sessions to see the community action projects in real time, and to better inform own lesson planning  Participate in staff meetings

Qualifications: Skills and Experience Required:  Graduate student at Boston College  Successful experience working with youth in urban schools and/or community agencies/organizations  Excellent interpersonal, communications, organizational, time management and the ability to excel in a diverse team environment  Ability to support multiple learning styles  Self starter and openness to take initiative Skills and Experience Preferred:  Fluent in Spanish, Haitian Creole

Hours and Compensation:  Approximately 16 Saturdays throughout the academic year  Two curriculum training retreats  Outside planning with co-instructor and curriculum specialist  Other duties as assigned  Instructors will receive a stipend for the year