NC Migrant Education Program

We are currently looking for volunteers to serve in the following two capacities:

ESL Teacher/Tutor: An ESL teacher/tutor will travel with one or more volunteers to a migrant farm worker camp in Onslow or a surrounding county to teach ESL on a weekly basis. Their responsibilities include leading ESL lessons weekly (typically on Sunday afternoons) for as long as the migrant farm workers want/ have time for (typically one hour lessons). Tutors will be trained in teaching ESL and will have all lessons and lesson materials given to them by the MEP Volunteer Coordinators. They will be responsible for conducting pre and post tests of the material weekly and for reporting that information to the Volunteer Coordinators for a final cumulative test, which will be given at the end of the worker's stay in the area. The tutors are also responsible for filling out an online survey each week after they complete their lesson at the camp. Tutors do not need to be fluent in Spanish in order to volunteer, however Spanish competency is highly valuable in this position. Classes will last for as many weeks at the farm workers have time for and are willing to complete (this is highly dependent on their work schedule). Tutors must be flexible to work with the farm worker's schedules and be ready for change at the last minute. No previous experience in ESL or other subject is necessary for this position. Tutors will be trained in Onslow Co. and meet volunteers they will work with before they are assigned to a farm worker camp.

Out of School or In-School Youth Mentor: A mentor with the MEP is an invaluable team member when it comes to serving and making a difference for migrant youth. A mentor is paireed with a migrant youth and potentially another colunteer mentor. They are responsible for meeting with and/or checking in with their youth, who may be a migrant farm worker and therefore out of school (OSY), or an in-school youth and helping them pursure their educational apsirations. The needs of this population vary drastically and will determine the goals of the mentoring relationship, but they may or may not include: ESL help/tutoring, help enrolling in or preparing for the GED, college cisits and help with applications, and encouragement in non-academic skills (such as learning to use a computer, learning an instrument, or continuation of another skill or hobby). Mentors do not need any specific skills in order to volunteer, however Spanish-speaking competency is a plus. Volunteers must also be flexible, goal-driven, and committed to building a lasting relationship in order to make their time and the youth's time worthwhile. Assessments will be made of each volunteer and youth and the pairings will be made based on interests, time availablity, language, and other factors.

The North Carolina Migrant Education Program aims to serve migrant farm worker youth and their families. The mission of the NC MEP is to help migrant students and youth overcome high academic challenges by overcoming the obstacles created by frequent moves, educational disruption, cultural and language differences, and health-related problems. We do this by supporting our regional recruiters and local educational agencies to: recruit and support migrant youth, provide high quality supplemental services, foster coordination among schools, agencies, businesses and organizations to assistant migrant families, and to collaborate with other states to enhance the continuity of education for migrant students.

The NC MEP is headquartered in Raleigh, however we operate state-wide to serve all of the state's migrant farm workers and their families. We are currently looking for volunteers to help us serve migrant farm workers and youth in the Onslow County area. All services provided will be local in and around Onslow county.