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GWEC - Big Brother/Big Sister Ambassadors Program: High School Interns Supporting Elementary School Achievement

Avatar:  GWEC YLC - Legacy GWEC YLC - Legacy
Idea Submission for The People's Money:
The Big Brother/Big Sister Ambassadors Program is a paid internship initiative that places trained high school students in elementary schools across their district to provide academic tutoring, mentorship, and positive peer leadership. Through structured reading and math support, high school “Ambassador Interns” help younger students build foundational academic skills while strengthening school community connections and cultivating leadership, responsibility, and career readiness among the older youth. Program Goals Increase elementary student achievement in reading fluency, comprehension, and foundational math skills Provide paid, structured internships for high school youth Build mentorship and leadership skills among teen Ambassadors Strengthen relationships across schools in the district Promote positive role models and foster community pride Support teachers by offering additional academic support during and after school Program Structure 1. High School Ambassador Interns Students in grades 10–12 apply to serve as paid interns. Interns receive: Orientation and training in literacy strategies, math support techniques, child development basics, and classroom etiquette Ongoing supervision by school staff Opportunities to earn service hours, internship hours, and resume-building experience 2. Elementary School Tutoring Assignments Ambassador Interns are placed in district elementary schools as: Reading Buddies Assist students with decoding, fluency, read-alouds, small-group reading, and comprehension activities Support literacy centers, book discussions, phonics work, and early writing exercises Math Mentors Help students with number sense, addition/subtraction, multiplication, math games, math stations, and guided practice Provide one-on-one or small group support targeting classroom goals Interns serve 6–10 hours per week depending on funding and school needs. 3. Mentorship & Social-Emotional Support Ambassadors serve as positive role models by: Encouraging younger students Supporting confidence-building routines Reinforcing classroom expectations and emotional regulation Modeling positive communication and behavior This creates a caring school climate that strengthens community bonds. 4. Weekly Ambassador Workshops High school interns attend weekly workshops led by educators and youth development professionals on: Leadership & communication Career exploration in education, social work, psychology, and public service Resume building & professionalism Time management Conflict resolution Civic engagement and community responsibility This helps interns connect their service to long-term career pathways. Program Activities Literacy tutoring and guided reading Math games, skill-building practice, and academic stations Mentorship sessions and classroom buddy support Enrichment activities during afterschool programs Family literacy nights and community events Professional development sessions for Ambassadors End-of-year Ambassador Recognition Ceremony
What is the problem your idea aims to address?
This initiative addresses two urgent needs: academic recovery and youth workforce development. By empowering high schoolers as mentors and tutors, the district strengthens community ties, fills academic support gaps, and cultivates a generation of young leaders invested in the success of their neighborhood schools. Many elementary schools need additional academic support, especially in literacy and numeracy. At the same time, high school students seek meaningful internship opportunities that build professional skills and allow them to give back to their community. This program bridges both needs by creating a district-wide mentorship pipeline where older students uplift younger students, improve academic outcomes, and cultivate a culture of service, confidence, and community engagement.
Which groups does your idea focus on? Select all that apply
Youth (under 24)
Public Housing Residents
Justice Impacted People
People with Disabilities
Limited English Speakers
Immigrants / Migrants
LGBTQIA+ People
Parents
Unhoused People
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