Working up the Employment Totem Poll

Someone asked me recently why our kids are so excited to apply to NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, even though they have only a slim chance of getting placed in a job. Frankly, the prospect of earning money and being able to shop excites them!

We’re making the process of applying for the jobs challenging. Sometimes in the past, because we wanted the kids to succeed so badly, I think we did too much for them. Example: the kids need to fill out application forms for the employment program. Formerly we would have downloaded and printed out the forms for them. Instead, this year we told the students that they need to find the forms on line, and print and fill them out on their own. We also made our mock interviews tough by purposely having the interviewers (teachers), be abrupt or even curt with the students. The kids have to learn how to behave professionally even when confronted with someone who is impolite. Easier said than done, right?

Then, we also tossed out the idea that, if they do land a summer job, it may involve doing sanitation or other unappealing work. They immediately said “No way, I won’t do that!” The students already have an idea of where they want to stand on the employment “totem poll”. But we drove home the point that they have to start somewhere and work their way up.

My fingers are crossed that at least one student will land a job, and be a role model for the rest.

Summer Jobs 101

Jose finally returned from his suspension last week. I am relieved and tense at the same time. It is of course good to have him back in school so we can keep working with him, but I worry that every day provides a fresh opportunity for him to act out and end up suspended yet again. This may be the first time I have felt such a level of tension about a certain student, but I know it’s because Jose holds so much potential. We put in a lot of effort creating a “re-entry” plan for Jose to help him transition back into school. My hope is that he can quickly fall back into step with the rest of the class.

On another note, I don’t want to ignore all the positive developments happening with the rest of my class! At the moment they are diligently completing their applications for NYC’s Summer Youth Employment program. We also did mock job interviews. It’s a huge development for this group to even think about having careers and to take steps towards that goal. One caveat is that the city uses a lottery-based system to place kids in jobs, so there are no guarantees. BUT, despite knowing this the students are still really determined and enthusiastic about landing their first paying jobs!

Comeback Kid?

That’s what I am hoping Jose will be…the kind of person who rebounds and doesn’t look back, just when everyone is ready to give up on him. Jose, despite his intelligence and desire to go to college, over the past few months landed himself with one suspension after another.

What happened to our self-proclaimed 2010 valedictorian? Three major events in his life de-railed him. (I say that with the caveat that he is responsible for his actions, and he knows when he is doing something that will lead to a suspension, arrest, or worse.)

First, his mother, with whom he has a problematic relationship, came back into his life after a long stint in the hospital. Second, he was not allowed to join our group on the trip to Philadelphia – the sole motivating factor that kept him working hard through his first suspension. And, third, a new student entered our class and challenged Jose’s social authority, specifically his “street” credibility (read: toughness, masculinity, street-smarts).

The crazy thing is, Jose is still getting almost all A’s on his school work and hands all his work in on time! Even though his actions warrant suspensions, all the school leaders and staff truly like him. If he wasn’t so charismatic and smart, this might not be the case.

Right now what Jose needs is a new, attainable goal, a target he can reach: becoming valedictorian is out of the question. I need something else to hook him and give him some perspective. I’m still mulling over ideas for just what that “hook” should be…