The power of teamwork and collaboration
We value dialogue and creating environments where our differences are supported and celebrated. Your experience will be most rewarding when you have a growth mindset to learn about yourself, your students, partners and the world around us.
You have a whole team of staff available to support your learning and development throughout the year. Although your Impact Manager and Team Leader will be the staff you work with most closely, you will also receive support from a team focused on helping you feel confident and competent in serving students and reflecting on your own growth. Although most of your learning will occur in informal or social settings, we have a comprehensive learning program that you will participate in that includes:
Basic Training Academy
The first four weeks of your service are an intensive training and community building time called Basic Training Academy. Although skills for tutoring and service students are important, they only work when built upon a strong foundation, and the relationships we develop with our peers and teams are critical for delivering the best possible service to students. For that reason, Basic Training Academy is focused on 1) building community, 2) learning the theory behind our service model and the work you do with students, and 3) the very basics of building relationships students and in schools.
Learning & development days
Once the foundation is built, we will slowly begin providing training in more specific student support and tutoring skills. This will occur one day per week (with the rest of the days focused on serving students directly). This more specific training starts around the fifth week of service.
Observations, coaching, feedback, formal performance conversations
In order to support you in developing your service skills, your Impact Manager will occasionally observe you in action with your students. Afterwards, they will provide a space for you to think critically about your service and ways that you would like to improve. They will provide you feedback and resources to support your growth.
Career services and networking opportunities
Throughout your service year, you will have many opportunities to consider and plan for your next steps after City Year. These include:
- Career planning conversations with your manager
- Networking events
- Mentoring opportunities
- Connections to our corporate partners (lunch and learns with local universities and professionals)
- Training in career topics (résumés, cover letters, interviewing, etc.)
- Access to our alumni network
