Celebrating AmeriCorps week at City Year Columbus

Every March, the U.S. celebrates AmeriCorps Week and this year the celebration will take place during the week March 13-19. But at City Year, we expand this celebration to the whole month of March. During this time, we recognize the commitment of the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, and encourage more Americans to follow in their footsteps of service.

This week, we are shining the spotlight on our AmeriCorps members who serve in 8 schools within the Columbus City School District. Highlighted below you’ll find information on how City Year works and the schools we serve in, team pictures, and quotes from an AmeriCorps members to help you get to know who is serving in the schools.

How City Year works in schools

City Year works closely with the school principal and teachers to determine which students need extra help, then implements individualized, data-driven solutions for each “focus list” student while providing support to the entire school community. City Year AmeriCorps members serve all day, every day throughout the school year to ensure that students are receiving the support they need both in and out of the classroom.

Who are City Year AmeriCorps members?

City Year AmeriCorps members are young, idealistic leaders between the years of 18 and 25 who serve for 11 months and are paid a stipend. City Year AmeriCorps members come from diverse backgrounds, and most are college graduates. They complete 1,700 hours of service throughout the year, including 300 hours of skills-based and professional development training to help students succeed while also preparing for their future.

Meet our teams

Champion Middle School

About Champion Middle School: Champion is located in the Near East Side neighborhood of Columbus and serves 6– 8th grades. Currently, there are 7 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 6-8th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Champion: Jaclyn Aldridge, Darin Billiter, Victoria Branch, Juliana Discher, Antoine Nichols Jr., Yahterie-Anne Sykes Ortiz, & Lauren Ulrick

“I aspire to work in the field of mental health counseling with youth. Working with City Year has been my first experience working hands-on consistently with children. I think it has given me an idea of the dedication and patience it takes to work with youth.”  – Antoine

Linden-Mckinley STEM academy

About Linden-McKinley STEM Academy (LMSA): LMSA is located in the Linden neighborhood of Columbus and serves 7-12th grades. Currently, there are 7 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 7-9th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at LMSA: Farah Chidiac, MacKenzie Doughty, Taite Hall, Sabrina Mosley, Ni-ja Owens, Ashlei Raifsnider, & Aaron Tayal

“The Black History Month projects remind me of why. We created a time line of black movements, bulletin boards with uncommon black historical figures, and a poetry contest about the student’s black experience. This has brought a level of community and belonging to the school I wasn’t expecting. The school year has been very difficult for everyone and intentionally decorating the school building with people who look like students has changed the way students are entering the space. They seem more willing to participate. This reminds me that I enjoy student growth while they build relationships with their community.” – Sabrina

Livingstone Elementary school

About Livingston Elementary School: Livingston Elementary School is located in the Southern Orchards neighborhood of Columbus and serves Pre-K to 6th grades. Currently, there are 6 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 3rd – 6th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Livingston Elementary School: Ally Benko, Monica Emery, Alyssa Idzkowski, Caitlin Knight, Karen McGuire, & Kylie Titer

“One of my students got glasses and she felt really embarrassed about them. The next day, I wore my glasses too and she talked about how excited she was to see someone else wearing them. Now she tells me all the time that she wants to be a City Year when she grows up!” – Karen

Mifflin High School

About Mifflin High School: Mifflin is located in the North East Side neighborhood of Columbus and serves 9-12^th grades. Currently, there are 7 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 9-10^th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Mifflin: Jenna Brooks, Jack Fobean, Hannah Jones, Rakhsha Khatri, Carlito Ortiz, Lauren Rhome, & Deryn Tye

The City Year value that has resonated with me most throughout this service year is ‘students first, collaboration always.’ While in my classroom, I collaborate with my partner teacher to make our lessons more engaging for our students and constantly adjust them when needed. On a whole school level, I have been able to collaborate with administrators, grade-level teams, and other school staff to develop a reading challenge, support honor roll/matriculation celebrations, and to connect students to additional resources throughout the school. All this collaboration among school staff and our team is always to better support our students and make their learning experiences the best that they can be.” – Lauren

South High School

About South High School: South High  School is located in the Sourthern Orchards neighborhood of Columbus and serves 7-12th grades. Currently, there are 9 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 7-9th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at South High School: Natalie Cosgray, Tanesha Desamours, Shae Gorin, Francesca Hadden, Rachel Hutchison, Elizabeth Jaffy, Ellie Rumme, Serenity Scanlan, & Gunnar Tuttle

“After City Year I want to be a math teacher so I am able to connect almost everything we do at City Year to my Life After City Year (LACY) plans! I serve in a 7th grade math classroom, and I have learned so many classroom management and teaching skills from my partner teacher which I can’t wait to incorporate into a classroom of my own.” – Elizabeth

Starling K-8

About Starling K-8: Starling K-8 is located in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus and serves Kindergarten – 8th grades. Currently, there are 7 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 3rd – 7th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Starling K-8: Lauren Arden, Courtney Hines, Austin Hollis, Stephanie McGivern, Allison McKenzie, Kimmey Mugford, & Lauren Mullender

“My favorite thing about serving in 3rd grade is that my students are still at an age where they are able to define the future of their academic career from the impact of adults in their lives. All the positive support and encouragement, that I am able to give this year, towards my students will shape their love for learning in a positive light that will make them want to continue.” – Kimmey

Trevitt Elementary School

About Trevitt Elementary School: Trevitt is located in the Near East Side neighborhood of Columbus and serves Pre-K to 5th grades. Currently, there are 6 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 3rd-5th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Trevitt: Imani Foster, Bailey Holmes-Sparks, Natasha Jimenez Marchany, Alondra Key, Megan Ross, & Christina Smith

“One connection I foresee from this position to my future career aspiration is advocating for student needs. Next year I will be serving as a special education teacher in k-8 schools, tailoring needs-based interventions for a small group of students who struggle in the conventional classroom setting and my focus list has prepared me for that!” – Bailey

Windsor STEM Academy

About Windsor STEM Academy: Windsor is located in the Linden neighborhood of Columbus and serves Pre-K to 6th grades. Currently, there are 6 City Year AmeriCorps members at this site serving as student success coaches for students in 4-6th grades.

AmeriCorps Members Serving at Windsor: Rachel Bigley, Kendal Brookins, Shelbie Carnes, Kemonta Fuqua, Quentin Smith, & Raegan Waddell

“Sometimes, especially when we have dress down days, we force our entire team to do a fit check. They have to go through their entire outfit and say where it’s from and then we yell FIT CHECK! Some of the team gets really into it, and others not as enthusiastic. It is such a fun bonding experience for our team that provides a ton of laughs.” – Raegan

Interested in supporting City Year AmeriCorps members?

Donate to our AmeriCorps member weekly pantry through utilizing our Amazon wish list. Or contact CYColumbus@cityyear.org to learn more about how you can get involved.