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GUM AMBASSADORS
The Answers You Need
GUM AMBASSADOR SELECTION CRITERIA
A total of 14 students will be selected to serve as Study Group Leaders for the GEAR UP Munch Hour sessions based on the recommendations of their geometry teachers and our GEAR UP Educational Assistant.
Student candidates for this leadership position should be nominated to the program based on the following criteria:
The student exhibits exemplary behavior and work ethic that reflects and represents the values found in the Leilehua High School Student Code of Conduct and Leilehua High School Digital Citizenship Expectations.
The student has a sustained record of performing at an above-average rate in the course (geometry), and is not in danger of failing.
The student takes initiative when promoting discussion and organizing/managing tasks in small group activities.
The student exhibits a strong sense of motivation and responsibility when it comes to completing their assignments, and is a self-starter when given new tasks to complete.
The student is patient, understanding, and compassionate when working with others, and has a willingness to learn from their mistakes to improve themselves.
The student is warm, friendly, and cordial to others and respects the authority of teachers and other educational support staff.
The student has access to technology and knowledge on how to use technology ethically and responsibly, and can communicate with their supervisors and peers in an effective and clear manner.
The student has a strong sense of commitment to their work and completes tasks in a reliable and timely manner.
TEACHER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
For the purposes of this initial program, we are looking to train 14 students as GUM Ambassadors for our online Munch Hour tutoring sessions with OLA. Teachers are responsible for working with the GEAR UP Educational Assistant to select and nominate students based on the criteria above and forward their information to the GEAR UP staff stationed at Leilehua High School by the end of the second week of the third quarter (Friday, January 15, 2021). Teachers should also reach out to students and their parent/guardian to inform them of their nomination and provide them with contact information to the GEAR UP staff should they have any comments, questions, or concerns about their participation in this program. After selections are made and candidates are placed into their role as a GUM Ambassador, teachers should continue to monitor their progress and behavior during the normal instructional periods and provide the GEAR UP staff with feedback on an as needed basis. For example, if a student candidate starts slipping academically or behaviorally, the teacher must communicate their concerns with the GEAR UP staff so that a decision can be made as to their continued status as a GUM Ambassador during the Munch Hour sessions.
In summary, teachers should...
Work with the GEAR UP Educational Assistant to select students who fit the criteria for the GUM Ambassador position and forward student contact information to the GEAR UP staff stationed at Leilehua High School.
Inform students and their parent/guardian of their nomination to serve as a GUM Ambassador for the Munch Hour sessions and provide them with contact information to reach out to the GEAR UP staff.
Monitor student candidates progress and behavior to ensure that they are still in good standing to maintain their GUM Ambassador position with GEAR UP, and contact the GEAR UP staff should any changes or concerns arise.
GEAR UP + OLA ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
GEAR UP and OLA staff members are responsible for facilitating the growth and development of student leadership skills via direct mentorship, tutoring, and constant supervision during the scheduled online and in-person Munch Hour and OLA Study Group sessions. GEAR UP and OLA staff members must ensure that GUM Ambassadors are acting in compliance with both the Leilehua High School Student Code of Conduct and Leilehua High School Digital Citizenship Expectations to provide a safe space for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration to take place. In addition to supervising student-led study group discussions and providing mentorship and tutoring services, if and when necessary, GEAR UP and OLA staff members should also intervene and provide more direct instruction and guidance for students, especially when it is clear that behavior is being disruptive or when the GUM Ambassadors are unsure of how to explain or solve a homework problem or course content to their peers. If a major disruption occurs during a session, the GEAR UP and OLA staff members present should contact the GEAR UP Site Coordinator and other relevant administrators as soon as possible to inform them of the situation. GEAR UP and OLA staff members are also responsible for maintaining attendance logs and observation notes for each Munch Hour session, as this information/data will be used as a cross-reference during leadership training and mentoring sessions with the GUM Ambassadors.
In summary, GEAR UP and OLA staff should…
Supervise online and in-person study groups to ensure that students act in compliance with the Leilehua High School Student Code of Conduct and Leilehua High School Digital Citizenship Expectations to cultivate and maintain a safe space for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration to take place. This means intervening and providing more direct instruction and guidance for students, especially when it is clear that behavior is being disruptive or when the GUM Ambassadors are unsure of how to explain course content to their peers. If a major disruption occurs, the GEAR UP Site Coordinator and other relevant administrators should be contacted immediately.
Delegate reasonable tasks to the GUM Ambassadors to complete as necessary and actively monitor/follow-up on their progress (ex: assigning GUM Ambassadors to help take attendance, to lead a discussion, to check-in with their peers, etc.).
Supervise student-led discussions and provide mentorship and tutoring to enhance or improve student leadership and administrative skills, socio-emotional development, and course content knowledge. Specifically, OLA tutors are responsible for helping students understand the course content knowledge and all subject-related questions should be directed towards them, not the GUM Director or GUM staff.
Maintain attendance logs and observation notes for each Munch Hour session to use as cross-reference material during leadership training and mentoring sessions with the GUM Ambassadors.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
GUM Ambassadors are responsible for maintaining their presence as role models for their classmates by providing them with academic and socio-emotional support. A friendly face and advice coming from another student can make all the difference when it comes to navigating the challenges of virtual learning. Having a peer-led study group, therefore, reduces the amount of anxiety felt by students who might not feel comfortable asking a teacher or tutor for help, and provides a way for students to build their socio-emotional skills as well as improve their retention of the course content. As a GUM Ambassador, students will be given an invaluable opportunity to hone their leadership, administrative, planning, collaboration, and resource awareness and management skills and shape themselves into competent and competitive applicants for a variety of post-high school college and career opportunities.
In summary, GUM Ambassadors should…
Follow the rules and responsibilities listed in the Leilehua High School Student Code of Conduct and Leilehua High School Digital Citizenship Expectations.
Maintain their high performance in their geometry classes so that they still qualify to be a GUM Ambassador.
Complete the tasks assigned to them as a GUM Ambassador by their OLA supervisor and GEAR UP mentor.
Treat others with patience and respect and lead student study group sessions by providing warm and friendly advice and peer-instruction to other students.
Attend the GUM Ambassador mandatory training sessions and actively participate in the Munch Hour GUM Ambassador mentorship sessions to gain feedback on how to improve their leadership and administrative skills.
POTENTIAL FOR PEER-LED STUDY GROUP PROGRAM GROWTH
Embedding student leaders into our virtual study group sessions in this manner helps increase the motivation and online participation of other students during regular classroom instruction time. All students will benefit from this program as it helps support those who need additional support by providing them with the resources they need to succeed, and it helps support and encourage the success of students who are already doing well and shapes them into competent and effective leaders. As stated previously, these Munch Hour sessions are intended to increase student preparedness and enhance their social and emotional development and learning by focusing on five key assessment areas: 1) Leadership, 2) Administration, 3) Planning, 4) Collaboration, and 5) Resource Awareness. Cultivating these soft skill sets is crucial to helping students achieve their academic goals, as they will be more likely to see the connections between their personal growth and development with their success in classes. The development of these areas via their participation in Munch Hour sessions will be beneficial in preparing them for the demands of their post-high school college and career plans as these are qualities that are sought out by UH Student Employment Services and many other non-UH industry employers. Ideally, our students, especially those who are GUM Ambassadors, can use this experience as part of their professional development and include their work with GEAR UP on their résumés. Furthermore, students who successfully graduate from our cohort have the opportunity to give back and inspire incoming classes via their community service, volunteering, and outreach for school-based and/or GEAR UP events. Therefore, we hope that this embedded student leader program creates a sustainable template for success and provides more support for the Leilehua High School community for generations to come.