Teens in summer school — as paid interns

Sonoma Valley teens can earn money and experience assisting grade-school summer school classes under a new program announced today by Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF). The Summer School Support Internship Program will add a new and significant dimension to the school district’s summer school offering, said Angela Ryan, Executive Director of SVEF. 

In addition to the unique work experience (at $15 per hour) the program creates for teens, Ryan said, it enhances the instruction and attention the younger students will receive. With educational interns available in classrooms, students looking for additional aid and assistance will have access to more targeted help throughout their school day.

“It’s a powerful opportunity for our organization to think critically and creatively about where funding can be most impactful, which in this case, is building upon the good work of the Boys & Girls Club,” Ryan said. “Knowing we’re serving both teens and grade school level youth in the Valley with one program inspires us to continue to use our resources to create additional opportunities for kids outside of the core programming being offered.”

Hosted in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, the program offers teens who will be juniors or seniors in the 2021-22 school year the opportunity to gain work experience and build their resume by assisting in middle and elementary summer school classes. They will support students with one-to-one and small group guidance in subjects including reading, math, and language development, Ryan explained.

There is no experience required for teens to apply, and once hired, the teens will be given training and compensated for both the training itself and the time spent in classrooms. 

“This partnership marks an important trend we anticipate seeing in the coming months and school year where our partner organizations find strategic ways to amplify and build upon what each is doing to best serve the youth in Sonoma Valley,” said Dr. Palazuelos, Superintendent of SVUSD. “This is a tremendous display of creativity by SVEF in how our nonprofits can elevate the strides we’re making at the District level, and how we can support kids both in and out of the classroom.”

The program is currently open and accepting applications. Interested teens can apply at https://www.bgcsonoma.org/careers/