Blackboard: Making a Difference

Thursday, August 22nd

Welcome: The Spark Program

Spark’s mission is to create life-changing apprenticeships for youth in under-served communities across the

United States.

Spark’s vision is that every young person should have a bridge to a

working professional, to demonstrate the value of education.

A National Crisis

25% of students in the United States drop out of high school every year, averaging 7,000 each day.

Among Latino and African American students in the highest need neighborhoods across the United States, the dropout rate exceeds 50%.

Spark works with middle school students who are at risk of being part of this group because of lack of engagement in school, lack of available resources, and socioeconomic factors.

Hands-on, individualized

apprenticeships with

professionals in the local

workforce

Spark Leadership Curriculum

Skills for academic success, appreciation of the relevance of education, and motivation to stay in

school and pursue ambitious goals

Spark’s Solution

Self-Management

Self-Awareness

Social Awareness

Relationship Skills

Responsibility

Students build Social

Emotional Core Competencies

Developing Identity

Building Community

Exploring Your Future

Career Readiness

& Exposure

Spark Program Framework

Positive Academic Behaviors

Attendance

Classroom Behavior

Course Performance

Long Term Impact

Individual- Educational

Attainment- Employable &

Ready for Work

Social Impact - Drop out Prevention- Workforce

Development

Source: Implementation Study

What is the Spark experience?

Concentrated: Two hours per week for eight weeks;

establish a one-on-one relationship with a middle schooler

Active: Expose students to your career through

hands-on activities leading to a final project

Local:Invest in at-risk community youth without

leaving your workplace

Supported: Spark staff provide orientation and weekly

check-ins to help you plan and troubleshoot

Connected: Build your network of like-minded

professionals at our kick-off and culminating events

Long-term results: Share your passion for your career to inspire

the next generation of your field

Apprenticeships: The Mentor’s Experience

• Mentors are screened

• Mentors attend Orientation & Match Night

• Mentors are matched and meet their student

• Mentors host their apprenticeship for 2 hours a week

• Mentors check in with their Program Coordinator every week

• Mentors support their student at Discovery Night

How it works?

Program Logistics

Discovery Night: Early-mid December

Apprenticeships: October-December

Match Night: Early October

Orientation

How do I become a Mentor?

Fill out the Online Mentor Application Spark staff member will follow up to take

you through our on boarding process, consisting of Background check

Phone interview

Mentor Orientation

After completing the on boarding process you will be told your student match!

What Mentors have said:

“You get to see how the kids enjoy what you do for a living…it makes you love what you do even more.” “I wouldn't expect to connect intellectually with such a younger counterpart, but I found myself not only enjoying our meetings but learning a lot from them!”

“My favorite part is learning from the student-we grew up in two entirely opposite worlds, so it means a lot to me to get to see the world through her eyes. And at the same time let her see the world through mine.”