Over the past couple of weeks we have had several training institutes for new Spring corps members. We are about to have the largest corps group we have ever had. Right now we are in the middle of placing them in schools, primarily in Hyde Park and nearby neighborhoods. But it has been great to see the enthusiasm and great potential with our new corps members.

Omar did a great job presenting NCF at information sessions this week. Along with some recruits from the Winter, we hope to bring in some new corps members for a great Spring quarter.

Here’s a pic.

In preparing training material, I thought about one key principal to becoming successful corps members in high-needs schools: resourcefulness.

Some days they may not be able to find athletic equipment, gain access to athletic fields, or all kinds of problems that may arise when coaching in a new environment. This kind of problem solving is exactly what helps our corps members grow and become future leaders in education and other fields. They become resourceful and take initiative in doing what needs to be done to accomplish the goal: providing positive experiences for children.

Life doesn’t always hand over the keys to all the doors to success. Sometimes, you’ve got to find a back way in.

-Cody

We had a small but engaging Training Institute last night for the Winter corps members, with more training on its way for those and others. We had some great discussion and great questions. Going to high-needs schools and providing needed mentoring and coaching assistance is a fantastic opportunity, but also something that should happen with thoughtfulness and a willingness to be resourceful, no matter what the circumstances.

Suzanne did a fantastic job presenting our training curriculum and leading the discussion. We’re lucky to have a great new corps group and a fearless leader!

We have two new interns and a new Management Fellow! Everyone please welcome Tamara Gaffney and Omar Massoud as our new Development Assistants and Suzanne Hilal as our new Management Fellow in charge of Training.

In the short time they’ve been working with NCF, I’ve already seen energy, enthusiasm, and a ton of opportunity to push the organization and our programming forward.

The intern role is a new one and something we are building from our experiences with the Management Fellowship. I think between the two types of roles, we are seeing amazing and diverse abilities to reach student-athletes and run the program effectively.