About Peace First (formerly Peace Games)
Founded on the belief that young people have the power and responsibility to change the world, Peace First (formerly Peace Games) builds effective school climates by focusing on two major efforts within a school: teaching children the skills of cooperation, communication, conflict resolution, and civic engagement; and providing educators with the critical skills and knowledge to integrate social-emotional learning into the school’s curriculum and culture. Combined, these efforts strengthen schools’ social and academic environments, leading to stronger schools and more successful students. An innovative, weekly curriculum taught by young adult volunteers, and reinforced by intensive coaching for principals and a cohort of teachers engages whole school communities in transformative experiential education.
Since its founding in 1992, Peace First has worked with over 64 schools in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. We have promising data from our schools: a USC study found a 60% decrease in disruptive incidences at the school, 36% decrease in physical aggression, and 81% of students reporting they can walk away from a fight. A recent strategic planning process strengthened the core program model and set an ambitious plan in motion to triple the organization’s reach in three years. For more information, please visit www.peacefirst.org.
AmeriCorps Member Roles: Teacher; Leader; Role Model; Collaborator; Peacemaker.
As an AmeriCorps member, you will serve as a teacher and role model in Boston, New York, or Los Angeles schools that are hungry for committed and idealistic young people. Corps members will teach the Peace First curriculum in all Peace First classrooms, impacting over 10,000 children. By the end of the school year, Peace First AmeriCorps Members will have spent over 85,000 hours in some of the country’s most under-served schools.
You will partner with another member to teach the Peace First curriculum in approximately 18 elementary or middle school classrooms each week. Using experiential learning techniques and a developmentally appropriate curriculum, you will teach the core skills of peacemaking in the fall, and then lead your students in Community Service Learning Projects in the spring. In the after-school hours, you will reflect on your service, communicate with teachers and volunteers, and plan for upcoming lessons by tailoring the curriculum to meet the needs of your individual classes. Throughout the year, you will also collaborate with Peace First staff to support the organization’s school climate and evaluation initiatives and participate in service days with your fellow Corps Members.
Training and Development
Peace First service is an outstanding opportunity to gain hands on experience and excellent training to support your development as an instructor, educator, organizer, and effective team member, and Peace First invests heavily in the development of its AmeriCorps Members. Your service tenure will begin with an intensive training and community building Academy together with all Peace First AmeriCorps members in Boston, our national headquarters. One afternoon a week, you will participate in training with your regional AmeriCorps cohort where you will receive support from Peace First supervisors and peers, and participate in workshops. Training topics include:
• Experiential learning strategies
• Peacemaking in a school setting
• Classroom management and discipline
• Child development
• Cultural competency and diversity
• Leading successful Community Service Learning Projects and reflection
• Professional development seminars related to team building, project management and “next steps” career development
You will also receive ongoing coaching from Peace First staff and be a member of a regional and national cohort of diverse, idealistic members.
Benefits
• $15,000 taxable stipend for 10 months of service.
• College/University loan deferral and $5,350 taxable education award upon the successful completion of your term of service.
• Health Insurance
• Professional Development opportunities
• Vacation and sick time
• Monthly Subway Pass in NYC, Boston or L.A, or the equivalent in gas cards
• Peace First Polo shirts and fleece
Eligibility Requirements
• Available full-time from mid-August 2011 to mid-June 2012
• United States Citizen or permanent resident alien
• Some college education required and an undergraduate degree preferred
• A demonstrated commitment to Peace First’s mission, including a strong interest in community service and civic engagement
• Experience working with children and interest in their development as leaders
• Leadership experience and ability to work in a team setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Eager to learn, open to diversity, a good listener, and capable of working well with people from different backgrounds
• A tremendous sense of humor and flexibility
• Some weekend and evening work required
All applicants for this posting are advised that acceptance into the Peace First AmeriCorps Program is contingent on receiving sufficient federal AmeriCorps funding in the spring of 2011.
To Apply
To apply, fill out our application at www.peacegamesvolunteers.com and email a copy of your resume to americorps {at} peacefirst(.)org! Application Deadlines are November 5th, January 7th, February 25th, and April 15th. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible. Questions? Please email americorps {at} peacefirst(.)org.
Program runs from Mid-August 2011 to mid-June 2012.
Peace First is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.
