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Our Team

Meet Our Team

A Letter from Our Director

Now more than ever, we are aware of the challenges of access, equity, quality, and inclusion in our public education system. COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, and increasing violence in our community shine a light on the oppression our students and our families face.

Inspiring Minds has excelled in building strong strategic partnerships, and developing and implementing a culturally-competent approach to programs. We are utilizing qualitative and quantitative empirical data to inform our organizational decisions. Most importantly, we ensure that the voices of students and their families are elevated and are always the primary beneficiaries and central focus of our work.

We are well-positioned to make a tremendous difference in the lives of our youngest learners. I am so proud of our staff, our volunteers, and our work. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve this community. Our kids do better when the community is behind them; every relationship, every interaction matters.

You can help support our mission work. Tell a friend about us, follow and share our posts on our social media sites, sign up for our newsletter, donate, or sign up to join our volunteer corps.

Sincerely,
Melissa Emidy
Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Melissa Emidy

Our Team

FINANCE DIRECTOR
Betty Clinton

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, RESILIENTKIDS
Shannon Smith

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Essence Harrison

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, IN-SCHOOL TUTORING AND MENTORING
Emily Markovitz

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Matthew Buckley

ResilientKids Instructors

RESILIENTKIDS INSTRUCTOR
Sarah Hopp
RESILIENTKIDS INSTRUCTOR
Chrissy Collins
RESILIENTKIDS INSTRUCTOR
Nicole Grace
RESILIENTKIDS INSTRUCTOR
Diane Madsen
RESILIENTKIDS INSTRUCTOR
Michelle Petrarca

RESILIENTKIDS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING INSTRUCTOR
Amber Hanks

Fellows, Interns, and Key Volunteers

VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Jane Lavoie

HUMAN RESOURCES, Legislative Internship Program Intern
Zachary DaCosta

FISCAL MANAGEMENT
Legislative Internship Program Intern

ADMINISTRATION, Senior Community Employment Program
Nancy Andrade Costa

CAPACITY BUILDER + BONNER FELLOW,
Theresa Wagner

Join Our Team

Inspiring Minds creates a work environment that is fair and equitable for all. We will not discriminate against staff members or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis. Our goal is to create a team that accurately reflects the demographics of our community. We believe systematic oppression is an unequivocal barrier to the future we envision.  We commit to hiring people who are actively anti-racist and committed to social justice. We want every employee to feel like they are an integral and valuable member of our community. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and change our community needs to thrive. By creating an accepting environment, we can inspire a culture of curiosity and innovation to better serve our community. 

All job postings will list the title, status, salary range, and minimum qualifications for hiring. We complete a pay equity self-assessment annually; our minimum wage is $15/hr. We are thoughtful about the years of experience and education we require to attract the widest pool of candidates and give them an opportunity to describe their alignment with our mission, vision, and values. We will base our hiring decisions on the applicants' qualifications, experience, history, and personal fit with Inspiring Minds. We are looking for good people who can demonstrate a commitment to the community and are willing to learn.

 
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS

Finance Assistant

The finance assistant is responsible for ensuring the efficiency of business operations and includes accounts payable/receivable, reconciling bank deposits, and entering information into requisite databases. This position provides clerical/para-professional accounting support required for maintaining accurate financial records and correct processing of financial transactions. Prepares, processes, maintains accounting records, and summarizes business and financial transactions. Reviews source documents for accuracy and completeness and ensures all transactions are properly documented.

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KidsBridge Teacher (Summer 2023)

Inspiring Minds seeks Teachers for our KidsBridge Summer Learning Program. Teachers lead positive, engaging, safe, and supportive program for rising kindergartners in a full-day, six-week summer learning program. Each teacher supervises one teacher assistant and one youth development worker with support from a special education teacher, volunteers, and interns.

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KidsBridge Program Coordinator (Summer 2023)

Inspiring Minds seeks a Program Coordinator to manage the daily operations of the KidsBridge Summer Learning program. The Program Coordinator will begin part-time in April with recruitment and preparation of staff and students and will be onsite during the fully-day, six-week program supporting classrooms, family engagement, and program partnerships.

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KidsBridge Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (Summer 2023)

Inspiring Minds seeks an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for our KidsBridge Summer Learning Program. The Early Childhood Special Educator will support the classroom teachers by providing additional support and resources to our students who require special education services. Our program serves rising kindergartners in a full-day, six-week summer learning program.

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ResilientKids Instructor (School Year 2023-2024)

Inspiring Minds seeks instructors for the 2023-2024 academic year. Our instructors teach mindfulness strategies to students during/after the school day using our ResilientKidsTM curriculum. Our team of instructors teaches a variety of classes from PreK-high school, during the school day, and in the out-of-school time space. Positions can be very part-time to 29 hours per week.

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AmeriCorps VISTAs – ACCEPTING NEW APPLICANTS for August 2021 – August 2022, APPLY TODAY

Through a thoughtful partnership with the Swearer Center at Brown University, Inspiring Minds hosts two AmeriCorps VISTAs. AmeriCorps VISTAs build capacity in organizations fighting poverty.

Eligible candidates for the Brown University AmeriCorps VISTA Fellowship will be:

  • A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
  • At least 18 years old.
  • A high school school graduate (diploma or GED).

Qualifications:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong computer skills.
  • Responsible and reliable.
  • Able to work in a dynamic environment.
  • Experience with volunteer work preferred.

Salary and Benefits: 

AmeriCorps Members are offered a living allowance and benefits package. For details, please visit the benefits of service web page.

To Apply: 

Applications for the Brown University AmeriCorps VISTA Fellowship are currently open and will close at 11:59pm on April 30, 2021 or when all the positions are filled.  To apply, please visit the AmeriCorps applicant portal