AmeriCorps Member Spotlight
Paul Verhage, Youth Development Instructor
University of Idaho 4-H Extension
About a year prior to retiring from teaching high school, Paul Verhage began looking for opportunities that would keep him busy and that would allow him to continue to use his knowledge and skills.
When he found information about the University of Idaho 4-H Extension AmeriCorps program, it seemed his search was over. As a Youth Development AmeriCorps member his service would focus on educating students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Paul’s background is in math and science. He started and led a robotics club at his school. One of his favorite projects was designing and launching a weather balloon robot into near space (100,000 feet) and recording data the students could then analyze. The opportunity to teach STEM to elementary students in classrooms seemed like a perfect opportunity.
Paul began his AmeriCorps service in September 2022 at the 4-H Extension Office in the University of Idaho Water Center building in Boise. His service is focused on providing STEM education, specifically teaching Lego robotics to elementary school students in first grade through sixth grade around the Treasure Valley.
Paul spends six weeks in each classroom providing daily lessons of 60-75 minutes incorporating engineering and programming so at the end of the session each student will have built and programmed a smart toy.
A typical day for Paul involves:
- Preparing and planning lessons.
- Conducting research and learning necessary skills and knowledge.
- Working in the classroom:
- Introducing the lesson
- Providing terminology
- Reviewing the past lesson
- Orbiting the classroom providing help where needed
“Although preparing, planning and ongoing learning is important, the best part of my service is getting to be in the classroom with students," Paul said. With Paul’s guidance and support, kids work on building a robot and programming it to perform a specific task. Many times, when the students test it, something doesn’t work out or doesn’t happen as expected. Rather than giving up, students talk it out, come up with ideas and try something else.
During the session kids learn programming and engineering, but they also learn skills like perseverance and critical thinking. Paul loves to see all the students learn new skills and achieve goals with some support and guidance from him.
Once Paul completes his service in August, he is planning to apply to serve a second term to continue his work in the classroom and teach kids to love STEM.
Learn more about the University of Idaho 4-H Youth Development Extension AmeriCorps program- https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h/people/americorps
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 Paul enjoys spending time with students learning STEM activities.
Open AmeriCorps positions
Idaho Workforce Development Council - Partnership Development AmeriCorps VISTA
The Partnership Development AmeriCorps VISTA will help connect Idahoans to the careers they want that puts them on a path to prosperity. This helps to ensure Idaho’s employers have the educated, skilled talent they need to thrive today and in the future. This is a one-year-long position.
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Position duties:
- Identify and develop partnerships.
- Collect data on workforce needs.
- Prepare reports and presentations.
- Develop content for the Workforce Development Council’s Work-Based learning asset map.
Benefits:
- Stipend $22,880
- Education award $6,895
- Professional development and training
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Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS), Environmental Education Instructor
The AmeriCorps member will develop and deliver environmental education lessons and community programs to Treasure Valley students and community members of all ages. They will also assist with organizational details and logistics involved in delivering these programs. Additionally, they will recruit and coordinate volunteers to assist with special events, help with special projects, and engage in service and restoration projects.
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Position Duties:
- Educate multi-age audiences through lessons, community programs and presentations.
- Develop and lead service-learning and habitat restoration projects.
- Assist in the recruitment, supervision and training of volunteers.
- Organize and lead summer camps and special programs.
- Represent BUGS at community outreach events.
- Perform administrative duties related to scheduling and program delivery.
Benefits:
- Stipend $20,400 (11-month position)
- Education award $6,895
- Professional development and training
- Medical insurance and child care allowance for those who qualify
- Student loan forbearance
For full job description visit https://pcei.org/jobs/
Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Amanda Minor at aminor@pcei.org
Member highlight - Marabelle Basurto
Through Public Health AmeriCorps, learn how you can increase, expand and enhance the capacity of programs and services offered by public health agencies, increase the number of trained suicide prevention interventionalists and gain experience/skills to continue to work in the public health sector. Learn more: https://www.isu.edu/irh/gem-state-public-health-americorps/ |
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Life After AmeriCorps Resource
The Life After AmeriCorps Resource Guide was created to support Idaho AmeriCorps members with planning a successful transition strategy after their service term. Helpful content includes a Life After AmeriCorps pre-test to determine how ready you are to accomplish your next steps, create some SMART goals, review resume and cover letter tips, brush up on how to use your education award and more.
Alum highlight
Serve Idaho is rolling out a social media campaign over the next year featuring AmeriCorps alum sharing their service stories, the impact service had on their life and career, and what they learned and experienced. Alums can send a written statement, video or audio recording answering the questions below to Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov.
Answer one or more of the following:
- Share how your AmeriCorps service prepared you for life, career, etc.
- Why did you serve and why should others serve?
- What was a profound experience you had during your AmeriCorps service?
- Share what your AmeriCorps service meant to you.
Include the following information:
- The year or years you served.
- Organization where you served.
- A brief description of your service (if not included as part of your answer).
Serve Idaho conference committee opportunity
Serve Idaho is looking for individuals to serve on the conference committee to help plan the 2024 Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference. It takes place March 11 and 12, 2024, at the Riverside Hotel in Garden City.
Committee responsibilities:
- Attend conference committee Zoom meetings (monthly, possibly twice a month closer to the conference). Meetings will be held the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon - 1 p.m. (MST).
- Develop conference schedule.
- Research and reach out to potential keynote speakers, workshop presenters and service project.
- Review speaker requests for proposal.
- Review conference documents – request for proposal, agenda, etc.
- Complete assigned tasks.
- Attend and assist at the conference.
Committee benefits:
- Complimentary ticket to the conference.
- Event organizing experience.
- Help create a great experience for AmeriCorps members.
If interested in serving on the committee or if you have any questions, please email me at Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov.
Training and Conferences
Volunteer Match: Recruiting (two-part series)
Part 1: Before you Start, Aug. 8 from noon - 1:30 p.m. (MST)
Part 2: Recruiting for a Role, Sept. 12 from noon - 1:30 p.m. (MST)
Learn more and register at: https://learn.volunteermatch.org/
Southwest Idaho Directors of Volunteer Services: Knowing when to say no more volunteers, keeping your active volunteers active.
Aug. 17 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. (MST)
In-person event: Harris Center of Influence
805 W. Idaho St., Ste. 400, Boise, 83702.
Virtual event: Join by Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97197735614
Idaho Nonprofit Center Statewide Conference
Aug. 29 and 30
Learn more and register
Volunteer Fairfax: Diagnosis Imposter Syndrome: Believing in Yourself as a Leader of Volunteers.
Sept. 7 from 10 - 11 a m. (MST)
Register
Southwest Idaho Directors of Volunteer Services: Create an Elevator Pitch to Recruit Volunteers.
Aug. 17 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. (MST)
In-person event: Harris Center of Influence
805 W. Idaho St., Ste. 400
Boise, 83702
Virtual event: Join by Zoom https://zoom.us/j/97197735614
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