FREEDOM SCHOOLS SERVANT LEADER INTERN (SLI) 2026

Who We Are:

The Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) is an award-winning, high performing network of charter schools located in Dayton, Ohio. Serving grades K-12, DECA’s three campuses are singularly focused on helping children from the city of Dayton gain the skills they need to be successful in college and beyond.

Mission :

We prepare future college graduates today to become the leaders of our community tomorrow.

Core Values:

1. Put students first;
2. Demand success;
3. Invest deeply in relationships;
4. Do what’s right;
5. Prove education changes lives;
6. Find joy.

Our Students and Results :

We serve students in grades K-12 in the Dayton Public School area; academic proficiency is not considered during the admissions process. Admission is first come, first served.

• 94% of our students are African-American and 72% are economically disadvantaged;
• Over 80% of our students will be first in their family to go to college;
• DECA is committed to providing a rigorous and engaging academic curriculum;
• Our campuses foster an awareness of social justice issues;
• Strong community partnerships are at the core of our success;
• DECA alumni graduate from college at a rate nearly 5 times the national average for first generation college students and on par with their suburban counterparts.

Successful Applicants:

• Are developing and practicing cultural competence in their teaching, teamwork, and leadership;
• Build relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community;
• Provide, seek, and act on feedback;
• Live our Core Values.

Nature and Scope: The Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund in partnership with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer options for children and strengthens family and community involvement. DECA’s Freedom School site serves children in grades kindergarten through eight for six weeks. The activity based Integrated Reading Curriculum, which is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness. A multi-year assessment of CDF Freedom Schools program sites continuously demonstrates the effectiveness of the Integrated Reading Curriculum, which has proven to avert children’s summer learning loss in reading achievement.

Job Summary : College-age young adults and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools program in the position of Servant Leader Intern. Each CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern serves as the teacher for a maximum of 10 students. Servant Leader Interns have access to further leadership development and networking opportunities geared toward continued direct service and advocacy on behalf of children and families.

Qualifications:

• Valid Ohio Educational Aide/Student Monitor Permit;
• Must have completed at least one year of college and have plans to complete the college degree;
• Exhibit positive behavior and attitude; model a mature and professional demeanor;
• Possess excellent written and verbal skills;
• Strong appreciation and understanding of individual cultural history and the willingness to be open and respectful of other cultures;
• Maintain or have graduated with a 3.0 GPA;
• Effective interpersonal skills with children and adults;
• Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team;
• Sound classroom management skills;
• Ability to improvise and work through uncertainties;
• Collegiality and an eagerness to participate in student-centered school activities are essential;
• Entrepreneurial spirit;
• Excellent problem‐solving skills

Duties/Essential Functions:

• Supervise and maintain safety of students at all times;
• Set up, manage, and break down classroom space according to standards developed by CDF;
• Engage a maximum of 10 students per class in the Integrated Reading Curriculum as outlined in the guide provided by CDF;
• Attend all required trainings;
• Maintain the safety of all students at the site;
• Serve as Harambee leaders, afternoon activity facilitators, and field trip chaperones;
• Collaborate with other staff to establish and maintain a supportive and structured environment for the students entrusted in their care;
• Report any issues or concerns regarding students in the program to the Site Coordinator;
• Implement the CDF Freedom Schools Integrated Reading Curriculum with fidelity;
• Serve as positive role model for students;
• Develop meaningful, appropriate relationships with each student and his/her parent/guardian;
• Celebrate student accomplishments;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Project Director and/or Site Coordinator; and
• Strives to continually improve professional competence.

Terms of Employment:

• Training & Camp Dates: June 2 - July 25
• 7:30AM-4:00PM Monday through Friday
• Salary: $4,000

Working Environment:
Workplace locations include:

• School, activity center, outdoor play areas;
• Retreat/field sites; and
• Other environments as deemed necessary/appropriate.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of his/her job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and/or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

Additional Working Conditions:

• The noise level in this work environment is quiet to loud depending on the activity and location.
• Working conditions for this job include (1) possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue; and (2) occasional operation of a motor vehicle to transport students.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

The information in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for the position. Additional duties performed by individuals currently holding the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee:_______________________________________ Date:_____________