Photos by Events & Alumni Project Leader Alice Pak
Monthly Archives: September 2010
Education Nation: Day 2
Today’s Guest Blogger is Itai Dinour, Executive Director, City Year New York who is representing us at Education Nation, an interactive summit on education hosted by NBC.
As Education Nation wraps up, I am inspired and appreciative that City Year, and I, had a chance to participate in this unique gathering. There is clearly a lot of passion in this country about education and while we are not yet united about the road ahead, the focus on this critical issue gives me hope.
Some further observations from day two:
- Teacher Effectiveness is Key. The research proves it; there is national consensus about it. But to allow teachers to be effective, they need help from parents, community members, and local/national partners. We know that our corps members play a critical role in this effort: making school a welcoming environment, providing 1:1 and small group tutoring, helping students make sure their homework gets done — and we are proud teachers find our work effective:
- 92% of Teachers Agreed or Strongly Agreed that corps members help foster a positive environment for learning.
- 86% of Teachers Agreed or Strongly Agreed that corps members help to improve student motivation to learn.
- We Have Great Leadership: City Year champions, Mayors Nutter and Fenty shared, we need a new sense of urgency and courage to take on these issues. I am encouraged that the current generation of high school and college graduates feel this sense of urgency and this call to service is evident in the tens of thousands of people applying to national service programs such as City Year.
- Recruitment: To help address the urgent achievement gap, our country needs to recruit more males, especially males of color, to join the education movement. This is where City Year New York needs help. Do you know a passionate, dedicated, 17 to 24 year old male of color? Please encourage them to APPLY TO CITY YEAR. Our first deadline is November 1st.
- Data Drives Results: Every successful school, district or charter, cited the use of data as an enabler to provide targeted interventions to the students who need it most. Thanks to a partnership with Mayor’s office and the NYCDOE, our corps members are now able to use this data to direct our attention to the right students who need it most.
Let me close by thanking NBC and its partners for organizing this amazing two day national conversation and for including City Year. I appreciate that NBC is bringing this issue to the national stage through its various media assets and are excited to continue the conversation on www.educationnation.com
I am humbled to work with a tremendous community that shares in my passion for giving students the tools, resources, and support they need to graduate from high school. I am even more excited for the road ahead – for City Year and for this country.
-Itai Dinour
If you have not read Itai’s first update CLICK HERE
Where in the World is Recruitment?
Are you a student or a career counselor who wants to ask a City Year representative about the application process, the corps member experience, and the benefits of applying to City Year? Our Regional Outreach team of 3 Staff Members and 3 Project Leaders may be showing up on your campus sometime soon! Every other week, we intend to update this blog with our events for the next 2 weeks, so keep an eye out. Dates and school events are listed below, please see your career office for more details like times and locations. If you have questions in the mean time feel free to email newyorkrecruitment@cityyear.org, rhodeislandrecruitment@cityyear.org or call 646.452.3624.
Wednesday, September 29
University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus – Fall Career Fair
Brown University – Fall Career Fair
Friday, October 1
Johnson & Wales University, Downcity Campus – Student Volunteer Fair
The Dwight School – Back to School Night
Monday, October 4
The Met, Peace Street Campus – Student Presentation
Tuesday, October 5
Syracuse University – Diversity Business Summit
St. John’s University – Fall Career Fair
University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus – Graduate School Fair
SUNY New Paltz – Employer Networking Fair
Wednesday, October 6
Syracuse University – Fall Career Fair
Providence College – Fall Career Fair
Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus – Job Central Career and Internship Fair
SUNY Albany – Action & Service Fair
Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex – Senior College Fair
Thursday, October 7
Syracuse University – On Campus Interviews
Education Nation: Day 1
Itai Dinour and Sean Edwin at Education Nation. Photo Credit NBC.com
Today’s Guest Blogger is Itai Dinour, Executive Director, City Year New York who is representing us at Education Nation, an interactive summit on education hosted by NBC.
One of the amazing things I get to do in my role is attend great conferences such as the Education Nation. Along with City Year alum and national staff member Sean Edwin, our goal is to bring service into the national conversation on how our country can work together to support the academic needs of students.
A few quick reflections:
- Changing the School Day: Most panelists agree that we need to rethink the length/duration of the school year. This is an exciting area where City Year can help ensure more struggling students get the attention they need. From 730 AM to 6 PM, our corps is already working to make school a welcoming, productive place to learn. This year City Year is partnering with the Childrens Aid Society on an pilot program to extend the school day at PS/IS 50.
- Student Voice: There is a need for more students to have a voice in this conversation. It would be interesting to talk to some of our Starfish (elementary school students) and AfterSchool Heroes (middle school students) and hear how they would improve education.
- The Future of Teaching: Secretary Duncan launched a new effort to get college graduates to enter the teaching career. Over the next five years, our country needs to recruit 1 million teachers to replace the Baby Boom Generation.
- Get Involved: I hope for those students who are not sure teaching is the right career for them, they will answer Secretary Duncan’s call to service by doing a gap year with City Year and discover if working in a school is for them.
- Stay Involved: City Year alumni, check out teach.gov for more information on how you can continue to channel your passion for education.
We are in an exciting moment in education; thanks to Waiting for Superman and Education Nation, the nation is talking about education with greater intensity.
And we are excited that City Year is a part of this conversation.
The first day was inspiring, informative, and entertaining and I encourage you to visit www.educationnation.com to watch videos of the sessions.
Check in tomorrow for my thoughts on today’s sessions.
