School's Out - Empower MEdia Digital Literacy Mentor

In-Person

Make a POSITIVE digital footprint by empowering children with the skills to have a safe and positive experience online!

The SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre has partnered with the Surrey School District Community School’s Partnership Department to develop and implement “Empower MEdia”, an after-school program focusing on digital citizenship for children in grades 5-7. This program is being supported by a grant from the United Way School's Out program.

When?

Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 

2:30 pm to 5:00 pm 

Where?

James Ardiel Elementary 

13751 112 Ave, Surrey

In an increasingly digital world where children and youth are expected to use digital tools for purposes of education, information, social connection, and entertainment, digital citizenship education is of vital importance to empower and protect young people online. The Empower MEdia program will engage students in grades 5-7 with important topics on digital citizenship in ways that encourage creativity, exploration, acquisition of new knowledge and empowerment. Topics may include but are not limited to: health and well-being online, privacy, safety, digital footprint, digital commerce, identity, relationships, communication/etiquette, cyberbullying, news/media literacy and social media wellness.

This no-cost after-school program will run twice a week, at James Ardiel Elementary School. Throughout the program, children in grades 5-7 will engage with Simon Fraser University students and Surrey School District staff in a fun, informative, and supportive environment.

We are looking for self-motivated volunteers to help implement this program, mentor the participants and create a safe and positive environment for the participants to learn, connect and have fun! 

Your role:

As a Digital Literacy Mentor, you will help set-up and run activities, lead students through the various activities and games, and generally be a positive role model for respectful and fun exploration and growth. 

In this role, you will:

  • Attend all weekly Empower MEdia sessions and follow the correct set-up, clean-up, and sanitization procedures.
  • Apply learned knowledge of the curriculum by coming up with new ideas for activities, or by altering existing activities to meet the needs and interests of the children you are working with. 
  • Apply interpersonal, empathy and relationship-building skills by developing healthy relationships with the children in the program.

Other benefits: 

  • Learn about the topic of Digital Citizenship and the foundational curriculum for the Empower MEdia program.
  • Apply learned knowledge in digital citizenship topics such as digital literacy, rights and responsibilities, mental health, safety, information credibility and more through implementation of activities.
  • Acquire knowledge and skills in effective strategies for delivering content focused on empowering children to be responsible digital citizens.
  • Gain experience facilitating activities in an afterschool program.
  • Gain leadership and mentorship experience.
  • Have the opportunity to engage with other SFU students.
  • Earn credit on your co-curricular record.

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR)! The CCR is an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record.

Program Date and Time:

The program will run on-site twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Volunteers may choose to volunteer weekly on one or both of these days.

This program runs year-round within the following dates:

  • Fall: October 15th – December 5th
  • Spring: January 21st – March 13th
  • Summer: May 6th – June 19th

Commitment:

We ask that volunteers plan to commit to the entire run of this program (Oct 2024 to June 2025). This 3-term commitment will benefit both yourself and your team. However, we also realize that scheduling and life circumstances may make long-term involvement difficult, so the minimum commitment you must be able to make is one full semester (e.g. October–December / January–April / May–June).

Mandatory Volunteer Orientation:

Volunteers who cannot attend the below orientation will be contacted on a one-on-one basis for scheduling a virtual orientation instead. 

  • Dates: Tuesday October 8th OR Thursday October 10th, 2024
  • Time: From 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • Location: James Ardiel Elementary School (13751 112 Ave, Surrey)

Location:

  • The program will run at James Ardiel Elementary School (13751 112 Ave Surrey, BC)

Requirements

The successful incumbent should:

  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Cultivate a positive and energetic attitude and have a strong commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment;
  • Be passionate about helping those in the community and making a difference;
  • Be excited to work with people with diverse backgrounds and personalities;
  • Be dependable, flexible and resourceful;
  • Experience working with children or youth in an in-person setting is an asset;
  • Be a current SFU student (undergraduate, graduate, or continuing studies) or SFU alumni.
  • Be prepared to provide a copy of a valid Criminal Record Check (this will be a condition for volunteering with us).

TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the 'Apply Now' button below and submit your initial expression of interest.

You will then receive an email from SurveyMonkey containing our full application form which must be completed as soon as possible. 

Deadline: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 11:59 PM

Please note: If the required number of volunteers for this program is reached before the above deadline, this posting may be taken down.

 

 
Collection Notice: The information collected as part of the application process is under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468). It is related directly to and needed by the University to administer the volunteer program through the SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre. The information will be used to screen volunteer applicants, refer applicants to opportunities of interest, and update applicants with information related to volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Associate Director, Partnerships and Programs, 250-13450 102 Avenue, Surrey BC, V3T 0A3, 778-782-8082.    

Ready to learn about volunteering with the community as an SFU ambassador? Join the Community Engagement Volunteer Training Program.

Learn more

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record.