Teachers:The Vela Scholars program is a year-round educational partnership between the 21st Century Collaborative for Educational Services, and Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS). Designed to help students "rise and grow" to their full potential, the name Vela comes from the South African language Xhosa (English pronunciation: /'kousa/) and means to rise and grow. The Vela Scholars Summer Program is a free academic and enrichment program for rising 7th and 8th grade students. The program provides a great opportunity for students to bridge academic years, engage in new experiences, and build relationships with mentors and peers, while encouraging them to challenge themselves academically in a fun and exciting environment. For this reason, the experience of each Vela Scholar will vary as we strive to meet every youth, wherever they may be, and help all of them to grow as learners. The VELA Scholars Summer Program at Amherst Regional Middle School seeks energetic, out-of-the-box thinkers, who are currently educators, or end route to becoming one. Candidate will teach a class not typically available during the school day, be prepared to accommodate all learners, and participate in other areas of the daily program. Candidate must be experienced and comfortable with providing dynamic, engaging, project based learning. The program is expected to run in person, with many hands-on outdoor activities. Candidates must make a 100% commitment from July 1st-25th (no program on July 4th) & attend training beforehand on June 10th. This requirement is absolute.The morning academic portion is the backbone of our program and it runs from 8:30am to 11:45 pm. We are interested in hearing from you, if you can create project based, academically sound curricula (underscored by evident Math, Science and ELA Practices) and have worked effectively with children to encourage ownership, creativity and academic growth.