Serving as a City Year afterschool enrichment coach

There are multiple ways you can serve students in schools with City Year.

We have three roles we’re actively recruiting for: student success coach; school learning day coach; and afterschool enrichment coach. Which one might be the best fit for you?

In this blog, we’ll explore what you’ll do as an afterschool enrichment coach, which is a 25-hour a week position.

Why coaching in school matters

First, a quick word about what City Year has learned about the impact of near-peer coaching in schools.

As an adult between the ages 1of 7-25, you’ll play a unique role supporting students in schools. You’re mature enough to offer students guidance, yet young enough to relate to their perspectives. This enables you to build positive relationships with students that help them to build confidence, feel a sense of belonging within their school community, and engage more deeply with their learning.

You’ll help make school more welcoming and fun for students and the adults who work with them.

All City Year coaches support the holistic growth and well-being of students, paying attention not only to their academic learning, but their development of important life skills—teamwork, collaboration, communication—that will help them to succeed in college and career.

Research shows that the more time a student spends with a City Year AmeriCorps member, who serves as a coach, the better the student outcomes, academically, interpersonally and in terms of attendance.

You will make a big difference in the lives of students, while developing durable skills that will help you achieve your higher education and career plans.

An afterschool enrichment coach focuses on tutoring, mentoring and building positive relationships with students

As a City Year AmeriCorps member serving as an afterschool enrichment coach, you’ll focus on coaching and mentoring elementary, middle or high school students through afterschool enrichment programs at select sites.

In this role, you’ll serve 900 hours, or about 25 hours a week, providing students with additional academic support.

You’ll also help them to explore new interests such as robotics, drama or other school clubs, develop leadership skills, and engage more deeply with their own learning.

For some students, afterschool activities, clubs and academic support may be the best and most meaningful part of their school experience. Research shows that access to high-quality afterschool enrichment opportunities help to strengthen student academic performance, interpersonal skills, attendance and engagement.

Additional responsibilities you may have as an afterschool enrichment coach include:

• Creating, supporting or co-leading events or programs that recognize and appreciate student growth and/or achievement in math, literacy, attendance and behavior
• Engaging students, parents/guardians or community members in education or social issues through member-led themed events at schools or on virtual platforms
• Collaborating and meeting with teachers and team members to collect, record, analyze and monitor individual student progress and plan enrichment activities

As a City Year afterschool enrichment coach, you’ll receive multiple benefits

As important as student learning and development are, your year of service as an afterschool enrichment coach is also about you—your own growth, financial well-being, and skill-building.

You’ll receive a modest stipend to help cover living expenses, along with some other benefits. You’ll also have access to networking opportunities, exclusive scholarships and professional development that can help you pay for college or grad school or get a start in a new career.

City Year’s 40,000 alumni continue to make a difference where they live and work. Today, they are serving and leading across many professions including education, business, social work, health, government, nonprofits and more.

86 percent of alums say their experience with City Year helped them prepare for their future career path.

Learn more about applying to serve with City Year.