Citizenship Class Instructor
Volunteer Position
Department
Manzanita Immigrant Legal Aid (MILA) Naturalization Program
The MILA Naturalization Program assists qualifying individuals with the process of becoming a naturalized United States Citizen. For clients who receive food stamps, Apple Health, or SSI assistance, through a DSHS grant, MILA is able to cover the fees connected with applying for U.S. citizenship, including assistance in completing associated paperwork, filing documentation, and preparing for the civics test and naturalization interview.
Responsible to:
Andrey Borisov, Naturalization Program Coordinator, and Teresa Schock, Community Engagement Coordinator
Works with MILA Citizenship Class teacher(s), other MILA staff and volunteers, Naturalization Program clients, and occasionally other Manzanita House Staff
Description of Role
The Citizenship Class Instructor teaches U.S. civics and history lessons specifically related to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test. The content for the lessons is derived from a USCIS textbook. Instructors do not need to speak a language other than English. This position offers an opportunity to work in-person with immigrants in a respectful and joyful multicultural/multilingual environment.
Primary Responsibilities:
Arrive at the appointed time with prepared content lessons, coordinated with the other MILA Citizenship Instructors, based on USCIS test materials.
Present content lessons in a respectful manner using clear and understandable English.
Make sure materials, signup sheet and parking passes are available for the students.
At the end of class, return the table/chairs to their original configuration and materials to their storage location.
Administer practice tests and provide constructive feedback to students.
Maintain accurate attendance records and follow up on absences according to guidance from the Naturalization Coordinator.
Check in with the Naturalization Coordinator for changes to citizenship test requirements and update lesson plans accordingly.
If and when possible, provide additional support and tutoring to students who need extra assistance.
Secondary Responsibilities:
Create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Maintain confidentiality of all MH and MILA program participants and community members
Uphold MH mission and values
Accurately record volunteer hours every month via the online log (linked here)
Read and respond to email communications from the Community Engagement Coordinator and/or the Naturalization Program Coordinator
Participate in offered continuing education opportunities according to availability and desire.
Skills/Qualifications Needed
Volunteers in this position need to have a commitment to the mission and vision of Manzanita House. Good communication and organizational skills are needed to prepare lessons and coordinate with the other volunteer instructors and the program coordinator. Content is presented through a secular, non-religious lens. Volunteers also need a welcoming attitude, patience in working with adults for whom English is not their first language and who may have a very different baseline perspective on government organization, civics, and society, and a willingness to learn from the program participants. No specific language skills are needed. Classes are in-person not virtual.
Optional Welcome Experience
Previous teaching experience and/or working with people of diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds and an interest in U.S. civics and history is welcome.
Time Commitment
Thursday evenings 5:45-7:30p (class runs approximately 6-7:15p)
Instructors for this weekly class alternate when they are scheduled to teach, so frequency depends on the number of volunteers engaged with the program. Often the teaching schedule is once or twice per month. Volunteers are asked to include any preparation time incurred outside of the class in the calculation of their contributed time to Manzanita House.
Manzanita House is proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V/SO. It is essential that all staff and volunteers have a strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Manzanita House. Hiring, including volunteers and interns, is conducted without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual.
