Halls Ferry Elementary - Student Engagement & Outdoor Learning Assistant

Description: 

The Student Engagement & Outdoor Learning Assistant will support Halls Ferry Elementary School in creating a welcoming, engaging, and supportive school environment for students in grades 3–5. Working primarily with the school social worker, the Federal Work-Study student will assist with student engagement initiatives, social-emotional learning activities, attendance and family engagement efforts, and the Seeds of Growth outdoor learning initiative. 

This position is designed to provide SLU students with meaningful, hands-on experience working within an elementary school while contributing to initiatives that promote student well-being, belonging, academic engagement, environmental education, and positive relationships. The FWS student will have opportunities to apply skills from disciplines such as social work, education, public health, psychology, sociology, environmental studies, occupational therapy, communication, and related fields

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Student Engagement & Outdoor Learning Assistant may: \

• Assist with the Seeds of Growth Outdoor Classroom, including gardening, planting, maintaining outdoor learning spaces, preparing educational materials, and supporting nature-based student activities. 
• Assist with small-group and classroom activities focused on social-emotional learning, friendship skills, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, leadership, student belonging or course work.
• Support school-wide attendance initiatives by preparing materials, organizing incentives, creating student-friendly communications, and assisting with attendance-related events. 
• Assist with family and community engagement activities, including school events, resource fairs, parent engagement initiatives, and community partnership projects. 
• Develop age-appropriate educational materials, bulletin boards, flyers, activities, and resources for elementary students and families. 
• Help prepare and organize supplies for student groups, outdoor education activities, special events, and school-wide programming. 
• Engage positively with students during structured activities, lunch groups, outdoor programming, and other supervised student engagement opportunities.
• Assist with collecting, organizing, and summarizing non-confidential program data to help evaluate school initiatives and student participation. 
• Conduct basic research on evidence-informed practices related to student well-being, outdoor education, school belonging, attendance, and family engagement.
• Collaborate with school staff, SLU partners, volunteers, and community organizations on special projects. 
• Complete other student-support and program-related duties consistent with the purpose of the Federal Work-Study position such as assisting with lunch/recess duty or supervision of children while in restorative

All direct student interactions will occur under appropriate school staff supervision and in accordance with school district policies regarding student privacy, confidentiality, safety, and professional boundaries

Required Qualifications/Skills: 

• Must have accepted a Federal Work-Study award for the current academic year. 
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with children, families, school staff, and community partners. 
• Dependable, punctual, and able to maintain a consistent work schedule.
• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries when working in a school environment. 
• Willingness to participate in both indoor and outdoor activities. 
• Ability to take direction while also completing assigned tasks independently. 
• Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. 
• Reliable transportation to and from Halls Ferry Elementary School. 
• Ability to pass background checks.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills: 

• Students studying social work, education, public health, psychology, sociology, occupational therapy, environmental studies, communication, or a related field are especially encouraged to apply. 
• Previous experience working with children or youth through schools, camps, tutoring, mentoring, childcare, recreation, nonprofits, or community programs. 
• Interest in gardening, environmental education, outdoor learning, or sustainability. 
• Interest in social-emotional learning, mental health promotion, youth development, or school-based social work. 
• Strong organizational, communication, and creative problem-solving skills. 
• Experience with Canva, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or similar programs is helpful. 
• Comfortable assisting with hands-on projects and school/community events. 
• Creativity and enthusiasm for developing engaging activities for elementary-aged students. 
• Ability to be silly, roll with the punches, fall with style and get back up and try again