Summer
INternship Job description
POSTED: April 14, 2015
The Field Academy is seeking an intern to join our team for the 2015 summer expedition in New England. The dates of this commitment (including staff training and debrief) are from June 18th - July 28th.
The purpose of this internship is to bring a new, young, aspiring educator into the Field Academy experience and offer him/her support and mentorship in developing the knowledge base and skills necessary to become a field-based educator with the Field Academy.
Intern responsibilities fall into three categories: general trip leading, daily logistics, and academics.
Trip responsibilities include:
Logistical responsibilities include:
Academic responsibilities include:
Things you will learn from this internship:
Preference given to applicants with:
Compensation
This internship will be compensated by a weekly stipend.
All food, lodging, and transportation costs are covered by the Field Academy with the exception of any expenses occurring during staff time off. Each staff member is responsible for travel expenses to and from Vermont for staff orientation and debrief.
How to Apply
Send the following to Jen Lazar, Program Director (jen@fieldacademy.org) by April 27th.
The Field Academy is seeking an intern to join our team for the 2015 summer expedition in New England. The dates of this commitment (including staff training and debrief) are from June 18th - July 28th.
The purpose of this internship is to bring a new, young, aspiring educator into the Field Academy experience and offer him/her support and mentorship in developing the knowledge base and skills necessary to become a field-based educator with the Field Academy.
Intern responsibilities fall into three categories: general trip leading, daily logistics, and academics.
Trip responsibilities include:
- Mentoring and hanging out with 12 incredible high school students;
- Participating in all aspects of the program as a role model and mentor to students;
- Shadowing staff members during their “Voice” days to learn about how to lead and support the group as an individual;
- Participating in staff meetings and debriefs;
Logistical responsibilities include:
- Packing the van; navigating and providing directions for drivers;
- Managing, packing, and organizing group gear;
- Helping with food shopping, organization, and preparation;
- Actively managing risks (along with other staff members) and cultivating risk assessment with students
Academic responsibilities include:
- Shadow teachers in their classes and potentially team teach a particular course (TBD based on prior academic background);
- Serve as a writing mentor to 2 students and participate in weekly writing workshops;
- Provide support and feedback to students on assignments with specific attention given to the improvement of written work and strengthening of student voice;
Things you will learn from this internship:
- Basic skills for teaching from what surrounds you - what we call “field-based” teaching and learning - learning from people, places, ideas, weather, music on the radio, etc.
- Trip leading skills and philosophies related to community building, group dynamics, leadership and followership, working through conflict, and balancing individual and group needs.
- Risk management approaches in varied circumstances and situations (backpacking, camping, urban settings, water-based activities, etc.).
- Facilitation skills to encourage and support dialogue around questions of Identity, such as (but not limited to): race, class, gender, privilege, and difference.
- Methods for giving and receiving effective feedback within close working teams.
- A deep passion for working with high school students;
- Strong leadership skills in non-traditional settings;
- Experience with, or a desire to learn about, risk management for group expeditions;
- Strong communication skills;
- Basic understanding of group dynamics and community living, and/or a desire to learn about these things;
- Flexibility and the ability to respond confidently to stressful and dynamic situations;
- Strong organizational skills;
- A commitment to exploring questions of privilege and power in the United States and a willingness to self-reflect on these questions;
- A good sense of humor;
- A fondness for (or at least, a genial tolerance of) terrible pop music and long van rides;
- Interest in alternative and/or experiential education;
- Desire to be part of a close working team.
- The ability and desire to learn on one’s feet, alongside students, with the mentorship of an experienced team of teachers.
Preference given to applicants with:
- Experience in outdoor or experiential education.
- Experience (academic or otherwise) in the subject areas taught on each expedition (writing, U.S. history, natural science, citizenship and leadership)
- Experience teaching writing and/or strong writing and editing skills.
- Prior experience with Field Academy programs.
Compensation
This internship will be compensated by a weekly stipend.
All food, lodging, and transportation costs are covered by the Field Academy with the exception of any expenses occurring during staff time off. Each staff member is responsible for travel expenses to and from Vermont for staff orientation and debrief.
How to Apply
Send the following to Jen Lazar, Program Director (jen@fieldacademy.org) by April 27th.
- A resume;
- A letter of interest plus concise answers to the following questions:
- Why do you want to learn from an internship with the Field Academy this summer? How do you feel that our values, principles, and philosophy will be valuable for you as you pursue your own goals?
- Tell us about an activity, idea, or discussion you would love to bring to the Field Academy this summer? It could be something you’ve done as a group before, or something new that you’d like to try out? Tell us about how you would introduce this idea/activity to the group and how you’d debrief it afterwards?
- (Optional) Is there anything else we should know about you?
