Before you can complete Entrance to Major (ETM), you must complete documentation of at least 40 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience. This work experience must occur with learners of the age group you plan to teach (7th-12th grade), ), with learners of any age in your content area (MATH), or with individuals with special needs. At least some of the young people with whom you work must be from a different background (e.g., race/ethnicity, home language, culture, socio-economic status) than you.
All hours must be documented on the appropriate Education Work Experience Form and be signed by the individual supervising your work experience. Please keep in mind that these 40 hours are in addition to any observation hours you do for courses (e.g., CI295) and must occur after graduation from high school.
A list of resources is provided below. These are just suggestions; hours may be fulfilled in other ways but they must be age-appropriate and involve direct contact with students. Please discuss your plans for the 40 hours with your adviser to ensure their appropriateness.
If you have any questions, please contact Jodie Styers, department chair, at [email protected] or
| Opportunity | Contact Person | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Barber National Institute | Kathy Bastow ([email protected]) | ongoing opportunities throughout the academic year |
| Big Brothers, Big Sisters | Paula Hayes (814-866-4566) | Must commit for a year; requires 3-6 hours per week on a consistent basis |
| Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach | Erica Jackson ([email protected]) | High School Symposium on Financial Literacy and College Success/May |
| CHAMPS Afterschool Program | Lorri Bland ([email protected]) | Afterschool program (2:30-5:30) at area high schools (October-May) |
| Eastside YMCA Coaching | Dustin Rhodes (814-899-9622) | Primarily soccer and basketball |
| Gears Program | Lorri Bland ([email protected]) | Science, Technology, and Activity activities for Erie City students in 7-8 grades |
| Gliding Stars of Erie | Linda Althof ([email protected]) | Ice Skating Program for Individuals with Special Needs |
| Inner-City Neighborhood Art House | 814-455-5508; [email protected] |
Assist teachers in classes; partner with special needs children; mostly after-school programs Monday-Friday: 2:45-5:15 p.m. |
| L’Arche | 814-452-2065; [email protected] | Volunteer to assist individuals with disabilities |
| MathCounts | Dr. Courtney Nagle | Gannon University/February |
| Math Options | Dr. Courtney Nagle | Penn State Behrend/May |
| Multicultural Community Resource Center | Carol Pifer (814-455-0212 x354; [email protected]) | Center for Hispanic and Refugee community |
| Penn State Behrend Open House | Dr. Courtney Nagle | Penn State Behrend/Fall and Spring semesters |
| Sister Gus’ Kids Cafe | Stephanie Taylor (814-878-2922) | Tutor and interact with inner-city children during an after-school program; 2:30-5:00 Monday-Friday |
| Stairways GED Tutoring | 814-871-5127 | Tutoring for GED students in reading, writing, and math |
| Talent Search Tutoring | Sherri Welsh ([email protected]) | City of Erie High and Middle Schools ($10/hour) |
| TOPS Basketball | Dave Niland (898-6398; [email protected]) | Penn State Behrend Fall semester: 12-15 hours |
| TOPS Soccer | Dan Perritano (898-6296; [email protected]) | Penn State Behrend Spring semester: 12-15 hours |
| TREC (Therapeutic Riding Equestrian Center) | 814-474-5276, Ext. 11 | No riding experience necessary; Program is most mornings (including Saturdays) and some evenings |
| Urban Erie Community Development Corp. | Veronica Rexford (814-899-3904; [email protected]) | IMPACT after school program |
If you have updates to any of the contacts above, please contact Jodie Styers at [email protected].