Teaching Opportunities

  • Click on the name of a work or volunteer opportunity from the list below to view its description.

    At Williamstown Elementary School (5-minute walk)

    At Mt. Greylock Regional Middle and High School (Transportation facilitated, 10-minute drive)

    On the Williams Campus

    Other Opportunities in the Surrounding Area

    Also:

    At Williamstown Elementary School (5-minute walk)

    America Reads/America Counts (work-study and volunteer)

    America Reads/America Counts (ARAC) is a federally funded work-study program that supports literacy in math and reading in the local public school. Williams work-study students may serve as classroom aids during the school day, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Williamstown Elementary School (WES) and as after-school homework tutors on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00 p.m. The Williams ARAC coordinator will also help place non-work-study students as volunteers in these schools when possible. All tutoring involves weekly commitments of 2-6 hours for 1 or 2 semesters.

    Contact Kaatje White, [email protected].

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    Adventures in Learning (volunteer)

    “Adventures in Learning” is a collaborative program of Williams College and the Williamstown Elementary School. Williams students create their own six-week courses that encourage learning for sheer pleasure, without reference to grades or performance standards. The program, now in its 14th year, offers 20 or more classes each winter to some 100 local students with subjects ranging from dance and theater to cooking and classics! Classes run one day a week after school from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

    For more information, go to www.williams.edu/outreach/ail, or contact Lauren Gotlieb, [email protected], and Cecilia Hirsch,[email protected].

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    The Elementary Science Education Outreach Program (formerly HHMI, paid and work-study)

    The Elementary Science Education Outreach Program brings Williams students into K-5 classrooms at Williamstown Elementary (short walk from campus), or in North Adams at Brayton Elementary (6-minute drive), or Greylock Elementary (5-minute drive). Depending on your style and preference, you will be paired with a teacher and gain experience in the classroom either by assisting the teacher with science lessons, or by bringing prepared science units into the classroom and teaching from the prepared unit. Involves weekly commitment of 3-5 hours/week for one or both semesters. Opportunities also available to supervise and assist young children with computer work.

    For info, placement and help with transportation, contact Science Liaison, Jennifer Swoap, [email protected].

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    At Mt. Greylock Regional Middle and High School (Transportation facilitated, 10-minute drive)

    Mt. Greylock Tutoring and Homework Club (work-study and volunteer)

    Williams students may tutor and assist with homework after school at Mt. Greylock Middle School on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 (or 2:30)-4:00 p.m., or at the High School on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:00 (or 2:30)-4:00 p.m. Tutors may be paired one-on-one with a student for the entire semester or year, or serve in a drop-in center. The focus is on academic help, and extra help is needed in the area of math. These are all relatively new programs and mentoring of Williams students by Greylock teachers is included. A Greylock teacher will also be on hand for daily supervision. Students may become certified to drive college vehicles and free bus transportation to and from the school is also available. All tutoring involves weekly commitments of 2-6 hours for 1 or 2 semesters.

    Contact Kaatje White, [email protected].

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    All’s Well! (volunteer)

    An in-school enrichment program that offers Mt. Greylock 7th grade students stimulating, hands-on courses. Held during one morning in October and December, middle school students will have the opportunity to select two workshops from a list of ten that include subjects like “The Art of Making Apple Cider”, “A Wish For Our Future—Prayer Flags”, “Singing From The Heart (and for the lungs)”, and “New Games.” Workshop instructors will be volunteers from Williams College and the local community.

    Contact Kaatje White, [email protected].

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    Williams College Writing Fellows Program (paid and work-study; program is selective)

    This year, 11 Williams students were chosen to participate in the 9th Grade Writing Seminar and a few 10th grade English classes at Mt. Greylock Regional School. Williams students will be mentored by Mt. Greylock teachers and will work one-on-one with students in class on drafts and the writing process. 6-10 hours of work a week required.

    Students interested in applying for next year should contact Liz Costley,[email protected] in April 2010. For more information about the program, go to www.mgrhs.org and click on the Williams Center link.

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    On the Williams Campus

    Mt. Greylock High School Tutoring (volunteer)

    Volunteers work one-on-one with high school students in a variety of subjects. Tutoring sessions take place on campus in the evenings. At least one hour a week commitment is required for 1 or 2 semesters.

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    Other Opportunities in the Surrounding Area

    America Reads/America Counts at Hancock Elementary Schools (work-study and volunteer, 15-minute drive)

    America Reads/America Counts (ARAC) is a federally funded work-study program that supports literacy in math and reading in the local public schools. Williams work-study students may tutor after-school at Hancock Elementary School on Mondays from 2:00-4:30 p.m. Rides can usually be coordinated and students may be paid to drive others. Hancock Elementary is a small rural school about a 15-minute drive away.

    ARAC coordinator will also help place non-work-study students as volunteers at Hancock when possible. All tutoring involves weekly commitments of 2-6 hours for 1 or 2 semesters.

    Contact Kaatje White, [email protected]

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    Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School, BArT (volunteer, 20-minute drive)

    Volunteers are needed to serve as reading or math tutors at the Berkshire Arts & Technology School (BArT), a 6-12 grade charter school located in Adams. The tutors will work mainly with middle school (6th-8th grade) kids, one-to-one, in an after-school program from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tutors will come once or (preferably) twice a week. Rides can usually be coordinated and students may be paid to drive others.

    Contact Kaatje White, [email protected].

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    Williamstown Youth Center (volunteer, 10-minute walk)

    The Williamstown Youth Center facilitates an after-school program for elementary and middle school students. Help children with homework Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:15-5:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1:45-5:15 p.m. College students can also spend time with children in the gym, playing strategic board games, etc.

    In addition, the Youth Center in collaboration with the Williams Center at Mt. Greylock afterschool homework program is sponsoring fun games and activities at Mt. Greylock Regional Middle School. This program will run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons from 2:30-5:00 p.m. Transportation is provided.

    Contact David Rempell by telephone, (413) 458-5925, or via e-mail,[email protected].

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    The Big Sib Program (volunteer)

    The Big Sib Program seeks to foster strong one-to-one relationships between Williams College students and local children. This program allows Williams students to share interests, get to know more about the community and support the emotional and social development of children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Weekly contact with your Little Sib is expected.

    Contact Wendy Powell, [email protected], and Emily M. Studenmund ’11, [email protected].

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    PAW Pals and America Reads/America Counts at Pownal Elementary School (volunteer, 15-minute drive; must coordinate own transportation)

    PAW pals is a mentoring program in which each Williams student is paired up with a child from Pownal Elementary School in need of a role model. Williams students visit during lunch, recess or class time. Groups will leave at noon and return around 1-1:15 p.m. (times can be flexible) once a week. In addition, work-study students may tutor in math and literacy and be paid through the America Reads/America Counts federal work-study program.

    Contact Mary Natalizia, [email protected]. If work-study, contact Kaatje White, [email protected].

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    Pine Cobble School (volunteer, 15-minute walk)

    Pine Cobble is a small, independent, co-educational day school for grades pre-K-9. Chance to work closely with teachers in a variety of grades. Small class size and lots of valuable mentoring from seasoned teachers. Opportunities in the classroom, on playing fields and on stage. For more information contact the school at (413) 458-4680. Pine Cobble is a 10-minute bike ride away.

    Contact Nick Edgerton, [email protected].

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    Also:

    Williams College Program in Teaching (class credit)

    Students who participate in the Advanced Seminar in Teaching at Williams will be required to fulfill a practicum at one of the area schools.

    Contact program director Susan Engel, [email protected], for more information.

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  • Click on the name of a summer opportunity from the list below to view its description.

    Howard Hughes Medical Institute

    Williams College has been awarded a 4-year grant for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This grant supports a number of initiatives including outreach to high school and elementary schools students. The high school program solicits applications each spring from Berkshire County High Schools students to spend the month of July at Williams College working with faculty on their research. Four awards are made annually.

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    Berkshire Science Initiative

    An HHMI-supported science liason helps place Williams College students into classrooms at the Williamstown Elementary School and Brayton Elementary School and Greylock Elementary School in North Adams. These students work with teachers designing and implimenting the school’s science curriculum. This experience can be used towards teaching certification by Williams College Students.

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    Berkshire Summer Science Camp

    This camp for elementary students and elementary teachers in the Williamstown and North Adams area uses inquiry-based science excercises to excite the students about how science is done and provides the teachers with approaches and materials to conduct such exercises in the classroom.

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    Williamstown Summer Technology Camp

    This program for elementary teachers in Williamstown provides teachers with training in the use of computers to use in their curriculum.

    Contact: Steve Zottoli, Professor of Biology, [email protected], (413) 597-2355 or (413) 597-2266.

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    St. Aloysius Summer Camp

    The St. Aloysius School of Harlem, NY, holds a summer camp for four weeks in Williamstown. Middle school children participate in academic programs as well as traditional camp activities such as swimming, hiking, and arts and crafts. Additional work may be available at St. Aloysius during the summer, or as a Winter Study project. Funding may be possible through Williams College intern programs.

    Contact: Torie Gorges, Williams College, [email protected].

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    Summer Reading Program

    For three weeks in July, Williams College student tutors are trained and supervised by elementary school teachers. The tutors work with 29 children, implementing a summer reading program.

    Contact: Richard Spalding, Williams College Chaplain and Director of Community Service, (413) 597-2483, [email protected].

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    The Williams Children Center

    The Williams Children’s Center on Park Street can provide volunteer or work experience for Williams students interested in working with children ranging in age from 6 weeks to ten years of age. Care is provided for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school age children, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, summer as well as the academic year. Students can assist teachers in implementing curriculum as well as assisting with field trips and/or special projects.

    Contact: Dick Leja, Director, or Jackie Debreuil, (413) 458-5168

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  • Click on the name of a work or volunteer opportunity from the list below to view its description.

    Professional Development

    Classroom Opportunities

    Professional Development

    Williams College Museum of Art Workshops

    With the aid of Williams College students, the education department at the Williams College Museum of Art runs a workshop program, attended by over 100 teachers every year. Massachusetts teachers may receive Professional Development Points for participation in workshops such as Architecture in the Classroom, and Contemporary Art and Social Issues.

    Contact: Rebecca Hayes, WCMA Director of Education, (413) 597-2038, [email protected].

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    Williams College Summer Program for Teachers

    Teachers from schools in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown are invited to attend any or all of the professional development programs offered at Williams in the summer. Workshops during the summer of 2000 covered a range of disciplines, including Computer Science, Philosophy, Science, Biology and Humanities. The courses provide credit that will help teachers meet requirements for recertification, although the courses are also open to teachers not receiving credit.

    Contact: Dick Quinn, Assistant Director of Public Affairs at Williams College, (413) 597-4982, [email protected]. Information is also available from the principals of participating schools.

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