Jumpstart Direct Service Summer
Volunteer Intern
About Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and
community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven
curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school,
setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Join us to work toward the day
every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Learn more at www.jstart.org.
Position Overview
The Jumpstart Direct Service Summer Volunteer Internship is a 10 week (28-30 hour/week) experience
working with preschool children in Bronx, NY. The Summer Volunteer Internship provides a unique
opportunity to help Jumpstart pilot a program which will address potential learning loss between the end
of pre-kindergarten and start of kindergarten. The Volunteer Intern collaborates with 8 other interns to
provide focused educational activities to young children and families. Responsibilities include planning
and implementing effective Jumpstart sessions using the Jumpstart curriculum, facilitating and
supporting team planning meetings, and collaborating with participating classroom teachers to use
developmentally appropriate practices with young children. During the course of the internship, interns
will have opportunities to design and facilitate their own lessons with the support of experienced site
staff and teachers. The Jumpstart Summer Volunteer Internship position is open to Jumpstart Corps
members, Jumpstart alumni and Education undergraduate or graduate students who have at least one
year of experience working with young children.
Specific LEARNING OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES
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Internship Learning Objective 1: Volunteer Intern will develop a deeper understanding of Early
Childhood Education by:
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Using Jumpstart programmatic guidelines to lead planning and implementation of Jumpstart
sessions two times per week, including the facilitation of elements of the session
Using Jumpstart programmatic guidelines to work with classroom teachers and be an active,
engaged classroom assistant
Participating in Summer Internship pre- service and in-service training and professional
development
Delivering high quality service to children
Modeling appropriate interactions with children’s families
Communicating regularly with families and develop alternative means of communication
(notes, newsletters, etc.) to support continued connection
Internship Learning Objective 2: Volunteer Intern will have the opportunity for leadership
experience by:
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Participating in and leading aspects of weekly team planning meetings with Jumpstart site
staff to gain an understanding of high quality session implementation and support problem
solving efforts with other interns
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Supporting weekly planning and preparation for each session implementation, team
building, group development and accountability
Supporting summer programming at the preschool center
Participating in ongoing reflection on child development, classroom service and related
trainings
Internship Learning Objective 3: Volunteer Intern will have the opportunity to participate in local
Community Engagement efforts by:
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Building strong relationships with preschool staff
Representing Jumpstart at partner preschool center and in the community
Collaborating with Community Events Manager to design and implement 2 summer family
events
Qualifications
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Commitment to Jumpstart’s mission and values of learning, determination, connection, joy, and
kindness
Must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least one year of post-secondary education in
the education field or related field.
Must be comfortable interacting with people who have a wide variety of backgrounds,
experiences, and identities.
Able to manage several tasks and situations simultaneously.
Organized and detail oriented and able to meet deadlines.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Competent with Microsoft Office Applications.
Is a self-starter and highly motivated. Experience working in an early childhood setting and/or
knowledge of early childhood development
Ability to work effectively and sensitively with children and families from low-income
communities
Community service experience
Ability to fulfill commitment to a 10 week, unpaid volunteer internship
Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
Benefits
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Volunteer Intern will receive up to 180 hours of extensive, direct in-classroom experience in an
Early Childhood setting
Volunteer Intern will receive up to 70 hours of training in the field of early childhood education
Volunteer Intern will receive direct coaching, mentoring and feedback from experienced
Jumpstart staff and classroom teachers
Volunteer Intern will have the unique opportunity to join a national network of individuals
serving young children
Volunteer Intern will receive individual guidance and support to design their own lesson plan for
implementation within the curriculum.
Jumpstart staff will also support Volunteer Interns to the best of our ability in obtaining course credit,
scholarships, or other benefits that the intern may have access to through his or her college or university
or other affiliations.
Commitment
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10 week volunteer internship running May 26-July 31, 2015 (off July 4)
o May 26-29: Participate in intensive pre-service trainings
o June 1- July 31: Deliver service in the classroom and community
Serve 28-30 hours per week during the summer including:
o Jumpstart sessions with team; 3 days per week
o Team planning meetings, which include planning, reflection, and materials preparation,
4 hours per week
o Weekly meetings with other interns and site staff, 2 hours per week
o Preparation for Jumpstart sessions
o 9-12 hours each week in a preschool classroom during the regular school day
Attend 2 family event service days, most likely held on a Saturday
Location
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Training and professional development placement in Manhattan, NY
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Preschool placements in Bronx, NY
To Apply
Please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to tri-stateregionjobs@jstart.org. Your cover letter
should reflect your desire to work in a preschool classroom and explain how your experiences relate to
the Direct Service Summer Volunteer Internship position specifically. *Online applications and resumes
will not be accepted at this time. Please email all application materials directly to the address above.*
Jumpstart is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or any
other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.
Please visit our website at www.jstart.org.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate
in the application process.