The JA New York High School Heroes youth volunteer program is generously funded in part by the Achievement Foundation and Turner Broadcasting System
What is the JA High School Heroes program?
The High School Heroes program provides high school students the opportunity to become role models by teaching and inspiring elementary students. A classroom teacher is matched with a team of JA New York High School Heroes who spend an entire day with the same class. As the teacher for the day, volunteers teach a series of five fun and interactive lessons.
Recommended: Assign teams of 2-4 volunteers for each elementary class.
Where and when does this event take place?
JA New York works with partner schools throughout NYC and Long Island, but most events are held at an elementary school close to your high school. The program takes place during regular school hours (8:30am-2:30pm) with standard lunch breaks.
What will I be teaching?
All JA programs focus on one or more of our three pillars of student success: financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. Each lesson is activity-based, reinforcing important concepts through hands-on learning.
How do I prepare?
All High School Heroes are required to attend two 45 minute training sessions provided by JA staff at your school. During the training, students will receive their teaching materials, learn how to prepare the lessons and gain effective classroom management skills.
Benefits of becoming a JA High School Heroes Volunteer
What is the time commitment?
High School Heroes Volunteers attend two JA trainings (1.5 hours total), prepare for the lessons in advance, and spend 5-6 hours teaching the JA material. The total time commitment will be approximately 8-9 hours.
Each year, Junior Achievement of New York invite High School Heroes to write an essay after their volunteer experience to be considered for our essay contest. The theme of the essay is updated each year to help guide High School Heroes in their writing. Submissions must be received within two week of the High School Heroes event. Prizes are awarded to the top three essays at the end of the school year. Applicants must have participated in a High School Heroes event. Other guidelines are distributed as part of the High School Heroes training.
Congratulations to the 2011-12 JA New York High School Heroes Essay Contest Winners!
1st Place: Michelle Hu, Bronx High School of Science
Click HERE to read Michelle's essay
2nd Place: Vianna Chan, Bronx High School of Science
Click HERE to read Vianna's essay
3rd Place: Rachel Wong, High School of Economics and Finance
Click HERE to read Rachel's essay
