As an AmeriCorps National Teaching Fellow at Citizen Schools, you’ll change the lives of middle school students. You’ll serve as a member of a diverse team of caring adults dedicated to transforming the school day for middle school students in low income communities. We do this by adding three hours to the end of the school day, during which students receive additional academic support in math or language arts, complete homework in structured sessions and participate in hands-on apprenticeships taught by volunteer professionals from the community.

As a National Teaching Fellow, you will be performing an extraordinary act of citizenship, helping the nation to address one of its greatest challenges, educating our youth in ways that promote self belief, college readiness, and the skills needed to achieve their dreams. It is an opportunity that leads to a better future for students, yet also holds rich benefits for those willing to dedicate two years of their life to national service through AmeriCorps. That’s why we call the opportunity: Teach, Serve, Grow.

All National Teaching Fellow positions begin in July 2019 with Summer Institute, an intensive training program during which you will learn the skills needed to successfully serve in low income schools and deliver high quality academic enrichment to students.

Essential Duties & Service Member Functions

During your two years as a National Teaching Fellow you will:

SERVE: The ability to connect with students day-to-day and help them through the difficult years of middle school is a profound opportunity for many individuals who join the Fellowship. Fellows are eager to impact the academics of students directly, but also have the opportunity to influence student growth through the lens of a mentor and coach.

• Act as a liaison and advocate for students in the school community


• Communicate regularly with families to discuss student progress and program updates


• Partner with volunteers from businesses, nonprofits, universities, and other local organizations, to create relevant, real-world learning experiences for students


• Identify assets that already exist in the communities we serve, and support with making direct connections to our students and families


• Create and reinforce a culture of achievement


• Build lasting relationships with students, families, and volunteers that increase the school’s impact in the community


• Create opportunities for students that strengthen the connection between academic success, college, and career

TEACH: Driving academic outcomes is a core component of our mission. On many campuses our Fellows push in or pull out small groups of students to aide instruction that is occurring during the first shift. (occasionally Fellows may deliver new content in select regions only and may vary by campus)(link removed) Teaching Fellows have an important role to play in the extension of learned content or “reteaching”/ reinforcing what was previously delivered by a member of the first shift.

• Deliver hands-on, engaging lessons in Math and/or English Language Arts and provide structured homework/project support


• Partner with first shift teachers and families to support student academic and personal growth


• Inspire students to set and achieve ambitious goals, and hold students to consistently high expectations


• Monitor and use student learning data to inform instructional/ program decisions


• Prepare students for college by cementing college-to-career-connections


• Motivate students to attain the knowledge, skills, and beliefs to achieve personal goals


• Explicitly communicate the idea that hard work + opportunity = success


• Steward good classroom practice, including the creation of a safe learning environment

GROW: Training and support are critical components of the Teaching Fellowship experience and contribute greatly to our Teaching Fellows’ overall successes, both in their direct service, and their personal/professional development. We are committed to providing ongoing coaching opportunities throughout their two years of service that will lead to student impact, as well as career advancement.

• Be challenged by diverse professional experiences at school, in the regional office, and with partner organizations


• Impact program results through direct responsibility for school/ region-wide projects


• Plan, execute, and participate in a variety of school and regional events


• Network with senior professionals in diverse disciplines including: technology, law, finance, and higher education


• Collect, analyze, and use data to inform decision-making


• Operate in an entrepreneurial environment with access to campus, regional, and national leadership


• Give and receive feedback, strengthening personal and professional skills


• Grow cultural competencies through the opportunity to work as part of a diverse professional and school community


• Receive career pathway development training and opportunities in your second year of service, such as resume coaching, job identification that aligns with your interests, as well as interviewing coaching techniques