2014Application Materials for High School Students Applying for the Position of Junior Teacher

Teaching Session: June 12-July 25, 2014

What to Consider When Applying to Teach at Aspire

Commitment:

Candidates must be available to work the entire session, Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Because of the importance of the JT role to the daily success of the program, special considerations cannot be made to accommodate other camps, practices or programs whose date/time requirements conflict with Aspire. The program runs from June 12 – July 25, 2014. (Aspire is closed July 4thfor the Fourth of July.) Attendance at two or three evening events during the summer is also required.

Eligibility:

Junior Teacher positions are open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with consideration of freshmen who have significant mentoring and leadership experience.

Compensation:

Stipends begin at $850.

Description of the Junior Teaching Position

The Junior Teaching (JT) position at The Aspire Program has several components that include:

1) teaching and mentoring middle school students,

2) assistance with supportive tasks, and

3) reflection/discussion regarding teaching, students, and programming.

High school students at Aspire work with one grade level in small teams. These teams are overseen by a Dean, who helps structure and plan activity periods that meet the needs of our middle school students. We are looking for candidates who can bring a variety of creative ideas and a great deal of energy to the program.

Activity periods at Aspire offer students experience in: a) the visual or performing arts, b) team-building, problem-solving, and leadership, and c) sports and games. Some examples from the past include activities such as blind-folded soccer, art collages, poetry sharings, and grab bag skits. Typically, there are three to four activity periods each week in each grade level. In addition to designing, planning, and teaching activity periods for their assigned grade level, JTs attend activity periods for the other grade levels in order to be helpful.

JTs also offer three choice periods a week which they plan on their own. Choice Periods are thirty-minute classes scheduled after lunch to give the girls the opportunity to explore topics and ideas that are not typically offered in middle schools. Past choice period offerings have included nature walks, salsa making, sketching & coloring, yoga, media literacy and more. Once a week, JTs host academically focused choice periods, called ‘Office Hours’ to help students draw connections between their core subjects and large ideas. Activities offered during office hours might be: reading and analyzing a poem, playing Science games, discussing a TED talk, and many more options.

High school students will assist with morning meetings as necessary to help set a positive tone and create a widespread feeling of community at Aspire. Junior Teachers also plan various events for the entire student body, specifically coordinating the Aspire Olympics and organizing Love Your Body Day for Aspire participants.

Junior Teachers are asked to assist with a multitude of supportive tasks during the summer. They are there to greet the buses in the mornings and say goodbye to students in the afternoons. The Junior Teachers also help with the organization of daily activities and behind-the-scenes operations such as: lunch & snack, bulletin boards, library, attendance, choice period, photos, contests, and supply/space organization.

Junior Teachers attend regular meetings regarding teaching, program details, and student progress. Attendance at a few special events outside of the school day (Family Night and Closing Ceremony, for example) is expected. Junior Teachers are required to participate in both the Teacher Orientation and Evaluation Days as these are critical training and team building periods.

JUNIOR TEACHER APPLICATION 2014

Due February 12, 2014. Type or print neatly in black ink. You may use separate pieces of paper, but be sure to put your name on each sheet.

Section 1: Applicant Information

Part 1: Contact Information

Name ______

Address _______

______

Home Phone (_____) ______Cell Phone (_____) ______

E-mail Address _______

Birth date ______Sex F M

Have you ever applied to work at Aspire? ______If so, when? ______

Are you an Aspire alumna? ______If so, Aspire Class of ______

The Aspire Program is interested in working with a diverse population. Please check the box(es) that most accurately reflects the racial or ethnic group with which you identify. We recognize that this list is not all-inclusive and hope that you will use “other,” when appropriate.

Asian AmericanHispanic/Latino/LatinaBlackOther

 ChineseCaribbean  African Biracial/Multiracial

 Japanese Central, South American  African American Caucasian, White

 South Asian Mexican, Chicano/Chicana  West Indian, Caribbean Native American Indian

 Korean Puerto Rican Other ______ Other ______

 Pacific Islander Other ______

 Southeast Asian

 Other______

Section 2: Educational Information

High School ______

NameLocationGraduation Year

______

NameLocationYears Attended

Year (circle one)

Senior / Junior / Sophomore / Freshman –
(considered only under special circumstances)

Section 3: Activities, Accomplishments, and Interests(Attach separate sheets of paper if needed)

We are looking to identify talents and special skills to enhance our student activities. Please indicate your areas of interest and special skills with a check, and explain the specifics in the space below the check list. When explaining your interests, we ask you to think “outside the box”—chess, magic, LEGOS, puppetry, and chorus, for example, would all be wonderful opportunities that fit under these broad categories.

JT Application, 2013

Theater

Dance

Music

Visual Arts

Arts and Crafts

Sewing/Knitting/Needlepoint

Fashion Design

Cooking

Sports______

Environment/Outdoor Learning

Games

Foreign Language______

Mock Trial

Computers/Technology

Science Challenges (solar cars, paper airplanes)

Public Speaking

Journalism/Newspaper

Business/Stock Market

Advertising and the Media

Other______

Special Certification or Training

CPR (expiration date ______)

First Aid (expiration date ______)

Life guard ______

Other ______

JT Application, 2013

Explanation of major interest or skill(s):

______

______
______
______

Describehigh school activities and accomplishments:

______

Section 4: Work Experience/Internship Information

Employer/Organization / Position / Dates

Section 5: Leadership & Honors Information (in this section, please list any formal leadership positions you have held and/or honors you have received at school or in your community)

Organization / Position / Dates

Section 6: Personal Responses

Respond to the questions below on separate sheets of paper. Please be sure to put your name on each sheet.

As a Junior Teacher, you would be responsible for planning and teaching activities. We are looking for candidates who can bring a variety of creative ideas to the program. Activity periods at Aspire offer students experience in:

a) the visual or performing arts,

b) team-building, problem-solving, leadership, or

c) sports and games.

Some examples from the past include activities such as blind-folded soccer, art collages, egg drops, poetry sharing, and grab bag skits.

Share an idea for an activity period you feel would be effective with middle school girls. Include:

a description of the idea

the purpose of the activity

a list of materials needed

an explanation of the planning or preparation required

note what you would do during the activity period

Describe a memorable n experience you had sometime in middle school. Explain how this experience has affected your understanding of middle school students.

Describe a time when you have had to work in a team. What role do you feel most comfortable playing and why?

Personal Statement – Why do you want to teach at Aspire?

Section 7: Disclosure of Misconduct

Have you ever been convicted of, or is any charge now pending or expected to be brought against you for, any crime other than a minor traffic violation? _____

Have you ever, at any academic institution, been in other than good standing because of academic deficiencies, been censured for misconduct, or been the subject of disciplinary proceedings? ______

If you answered yes to either of the above questions, please attach a written explanation to your application.

Sections 8 and 9: Official Transcript and Letter of Recommendation

Please request a copy of your official transcript from your school and have it mailed directly to the Aspire office.

Identify two people in your life who can provide strong recommendations in support of your employment at Aspire. Recommendations may come from high school faculty & staff or a member of your community who can speak on your ability to plan activities and serve as a positive mentor to middle school students. Give a recommendation form to each person who will write on your behalf and ask them to submit it directly to the Aspire office.

Section 10: Signature

My signature below indicates that the information I have provided is complete, factually correct, and honestly presented.

______

SignatureDate

RECOMMENDATION FOR JUNIOR TEACHER POSITION

Applicant’s Name _______

The person above is applying to work at The Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School, a tuition-free summer enrichment program for an intelligent, self-motivated and creative group of girls from under-resourced schools. Teachers and staff will be selected for this program based on their personal initiative & passion, leadership skills, and academic performance. Aspire is committed to a diverse staff representing a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Please share your thoughts about the candidate’s ability to assume a position which requires significant self-direction in the planning and teaching of activities for our students. All information submitted is confidential, and will be reviewed solely by the Aspire Admissions Committee. If you have any questions about the application process, or are interested in knowing more about the program, please contact us. Thank you for your assistance.

Please return this form by February 12, 2014to:

The Aspire Program

Hathaway Brown School  19600North Park Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH44122

216-320-8776 (phone)  216-320-8779 (fax)  

Recommender’s Name: ______Title: ______

E-mail address: ______Phone Number: (_____) ______

School/Business Address: ______

______

How long have you known the applicant? ______

In what capacity do you know the applicant? ______

______

For the following items, please mark a check in the box which best describes the applicant.

Excellent / Above Average / Average / Below Average / Poor / Unable to Assess
Analytical ability
Verbal expression
Written expression
Maturity/Emotional stability
Ability to take initiative
Relates well to children
Sense of responsibility
Perseverance/follow-through

I recommend this applicant to teach at The Aspire Program(Check one)

JT Application, 2013

 With great enthusiasm  With confidence  With some confidence  With reservation  I do not recommend

JT Application, 2013

______

Signature of Recommender

JT Application, 2013

RECOMMENDATION FOR JUNIOR TEACHER POSITION

Applicant’s Name _______

Questions about the Applicant

If you prefer, please feel free to answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper.

Please describe this applicant’s particular strengths or positive qualities.

______

Please discuss factors that may be relevant to the applicant’s ability to assume significant responsibility in a middle school classroom for girls from under-resourced schools.

______

JT Recommendation, 2013

______

RECOMMENDATION FOR JUNIOR TEACHER POSITION

Applicant’s Name _______

Please return this form by February 12, 2014to:

The Aspire Program

Hathaway Brown School  19600North Park Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH44122

216-320-8776 (phone)  216-320-8779 (fax)  

Recommender’s Name: ______Title: ______

E-mail address: ______Phone Number: (_____) ______

School/Business Address: ______

______

How long have you known the applicant? ______

In what capacity do you know the applicant? ______

______

For the following items, please mark a check in the box which best describes the applicant.

I recommend this applicant to teach at The Aspire Program(Check one)

JT Application, 2013

 With great enthusiasm  With confidence  With some confidence  With reservation  I do not recommend

JT Application, 2013

______

Signature of Recommender

JT Application, 2013

RECOMMENDATION FOR JUNIOR TEACHER POSITION

Applicant’s Name _______

Questions about the Applicant

If you prefer, please feel free to answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper.

Please describe this applicant’s particular strengths or positive qualities.

______

Please discuss factors that may be relevant to the applicant’s ability to assume significant responsibility in a middle school classroom for girls from under-resourced schools.

______

JT Recommendation, 2013

______