Freedom School Servant Leader Intern

The Children's Defense Fund mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. The CDF Freedom Schools® Program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by Children's Defense Fund in partnership with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer and after-school options for children and youth, and strengthens family and community involvement.

The mission of CDF Freedom Schools® Programs is to boost scholar motivations to read, generate more positive attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem, and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. The program serves children and youth in grades K-12 for six to eight weeks. The activity-based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards, integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness. A multi-year assessment of CDF Freedom Schools® Program sites continuously demonstrates the effectiveness of the IRC, which has proven to avert children's summer learning loss in reading achievement.

College-aged young adults and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools® Program in the position of Servant Leader Intern. Each CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern serves as the teacher for a maximum of 10 scholars. Servant Leader Interns have access to further leadership development and networking opportunities geared toward continued direct service and advocacy on behalf of children, youth and families.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a positive role model for all scholars.
• Supervise and maintain safety of scholars.
• Maintain a professional decorum.
• Set up, manage, and break down classroom space according to standards outlined by CDF and the sponsor organization.
• Engage a maximum of 10 scholars per class in the Integrated Reading Curriculum.
• Attend all required Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute training sessions.
• Attend all local and site-based trainings as outlined by the Site Coordinator.
• Work with site staff to ensure that all program components are implemented with fidelity.
• Report any issues or concerns regarding program operation to the Site Coordinator.

• Must have completed at least one year of college in good academic standing (typical age range is 18-30).
• Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team.
• Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children and youth.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor.
• Conduct routine site visits, whether operating onsite or virtually, to ensure that the program is being implemented with fidelity, including all program elements from the CDF Freedom Schools daily schedule and essential components.