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Starting in September, The Center for After-School Excellence will launch the first credit-bearing certificate programs for after-school staff at four City University of New York (CUNY) campuses. Through these courses, after-school staff members in New York City will, for the first time, have the exciting opportunity to earn college credits and certificates that identify them as college-trained after-school professionals.
"Foundations in After-School" will be offered at three community colleges: Hostos in the Bronx, LaGuardia in Queens and Kingsborough in Brooklyn. Each program consists of three courses, with students earning up to nine college credits.
Also this fall, the program "Excellence in After-School" will be offered at York College in Queens. This is a four-course program consisting of three mandatory courses and one elective each student will choose from two offerings. Through this program students will earn up to ten college credits.
Course offerings vary from campus to campus, but all classes will provide insight into the after-school environment and knowledge and skills that can be applied directly to the work of after-school staff. Class topics include youth development, teaching with multimedia technology, general psychology, foundations of education, special education, communication in professional settings, and introduction to computer technology.
By partnering with CUNY, the Center has begun to create and support a system of high-quality training and education for after-school staff. These programs are the first of many opportunities that the Center expects to provide to after-school educators in New York.
For more information or to enroll in courses, contact: Jessica Cubas at (212) 547-6929 or jcubas@afterschoolexcellence.org.
Campus in Focus: LaGuardia Community College
Each of the three community colleges offering the "Foundations in After-School" program varies slightly in course offerings. Here is an in-depth look at what one school is offering:
LaGuardia Community College, located in Queens, will offer the Center's "Foundations in After-School" program. Classes will be held on Saturdays from September 2007 through June 2008. Issues related to after-school will be discussed in all classes.
Courses include:
TEACHING: LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Foundations of American Education: This writing-intensive course introduces students to the cultural, social, political, historical and philosophical forces that influence education, particularly in urban settings.
Offered: Fall I 2007, Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
AMP UP YOUR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Introduction to Computers and their Applications: This course introduces the student to the uses of computers. In the computer lab, students will learn how to use several popular application software programs, as well as how to navigate the Internet.
Offered: Fall II 2008 (January-February), Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
BE A LEADER IN AFTER-SCHOOL
Communication in the Professional Setting: This course will develop students' knowledge of oral communication principles and theories in professional settings. Topics will include obstacles to effective communication, effective leadership behavior, and nonverbal communication. Students will learn about assertive behavior, conflict resolution, effective listening skills, and persuasive presentations.
Offered: Spring 2008, Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Enrollment is open now. For the LaGuardia application and additional details please contact Jessica Cubas at (212) 547-6929 or e-mail info@afterschoolexcellence.org with "Foundations in After-School: LaGuardia" as the subject.
Student Spotlight: Kenneth Murphy
One of the Center's most successful courses has been the "Introductory Course for After-School Staff," offered at Hunter College. The course was first offered in August, 2006, bringing together a mix of students from many backgrounds who work in after-school programs throughout New York.
Kenneth Murphy, a Resident Director at STEP, is an avid believer in professionalizing the field of after-school. He learned about the Center and its course offerings from his supervisor and signed up to attend the February, 2006 session. Recently, we caught up with Kenneth to ask him about his experience in the class. He commented on the ease of registering for the course and the helpfulness of the Center's staff.
He found the professors to have "a passion for after-school programs and a passion for what they do." Kenneth learned about the history of after-school, and about brain development and kids' various learning styles. He used this new knowledge in his program by having students fill out surveys to help them discover their own learning styles. Based on the surveys, Kenneth then used his new understanding of the eight intelligences (such as verbal, linguistic, musical and visual) to tailor a lesson plan for his students. He said he was able to teach students by using their newly identified strengths.
Kenneth is currently working to complete a bachelor's degree in business administration and plans to attain a master's degree in social work. He hopes to eventually establish a community center in the neighborhood where he grew up so that he can continue "inspiring kids to be life-long learners." He is eager to have the opportunity to take additional courses from the Center.
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The Center for After-School Excellence at TASC | 925 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10019
Tel. (212) 547-6929 | Email info@afterschoolexcellence.org
