About DreamYard

Dream Yard’s mission is to collaborate with Bronx youth, families and schools to build pathways to equity and opportunity through the arts. DreamYard Project is the largest arts provider in the Bronx, and uses project-based arts learning to ignite the transformative spirit in youth, public schools and communities. Dream Yard’s school-based and out of school programs are based on 21st century learning and social justice pedagogy principles. Our work is aligned with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for the Arts and the NY State Learning Standards, and encourages young people to pursue educational pathways toward higher learning, meaningful careers and social action. Our nationally recognized programming has grown tremendously in response to student interest and community needs. Co-Executive directors Jason Duchin and Tim Lord founded DreamYard in 1994. Since then, DreamYard has worked with more than 100 public schools and over 100,000 young people and families. DreamYard has developed a robust educational community in the Bronx – from its network of over 45 partnering public schools including the DY Preparatory High School to year-long programs at the DY Art Center.

The Position

The NYC Success Mentor Corps is a research-based, data-driven mentoring model that seeks to improve attendance, behavior, and educational outcomes for at-risk students in low-income communities citywide. Success Mentors are trained to serve as advisors, motivators, connectors, confidence-builders, and early warning systems for chronically absent students at risk of getting off track – both in school and in life. As part of the Mayor’s multi-agency campaign to improve school attendance and educational outcomes, Success Mentors are uniquely positioned to make an impact: they come into schools at a leadership level, have direct communication with key players in schools and community-based organizations, have unprecedented access to critical student data, are able to take advantage of interagency resources and expertise, and are part of a centralized, innovative infrastructure that supports their work in real time. Mentors are typically matched with 10-15 target students, who they see in school at least three times a week. Mentor responsibilities are determined by what research shows are the most effective practices for engaging at-risk students and their families. These include personally greeting students in the morning to make them feel welcomed and noticed, calling home every day a child is absent, and connecting students and families with a wide range of services to help them overcome barriers to success. 

PRIMARY FUNCTION: At PS 51, the Success Mentors will work with chronically absent youth to address the barriers keeping them from going to school every day and to help them reach their educational outcomes. Success Mentors will help to identify the causes of poor attendance, which may include family struggles or poor health, and work with PS 51 staff to seek solutions. Success Mentors will also work directly with groups of youth, lead activities, classroom push-ins, home visits, and organize events in connection with recess, and lead some after-school programming. 

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE

• Supervisor: Community School Director

• Max Hours: 20 per week 

• Days: 4 per week

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee a caseload of youths and mentees for the school year.

• Meet and greet assigned mentees each morning/afternoon when arriving at school or program site.

• Track attendance to conduct morning calls to absent students or to celebrate improvements.

• Meet with mentees regularly, both one-on-one and in small groups, to check school progress and student needs.

• Provide one-on-one tutoring support or small group instruction daily for one classroom.

• Support classroom behavior/management, instruction, hall support, lunch support, and event planning during day school.

• Develop and maintain an effective system of classroom management that encourages students to develop pro-social behavior and self-discipline.

• Work with school and site leadership to identify appropriate interventions to support and engage the mentees.

• Seek advice and identify targeted sources of youth or family supports from appropriate school staff and community-based partners under the direction of the Community School Director.

• File notes of youth attendance patterns, needs, and interventions to ensure monitoring of data is strategic.

• Attend weekly/bi-weekly student success meetings to share any best practices or challenges and to present a student progress summary.

• Communicate regularly with the Community School Director or other designated personnel regarding needs and supplies to support mentees.

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as requested by the Community School Director.