
Our Team
Meet Our Team
A Letter from Our Director
Dear Inspiring Minds Family,
Since 2017, it has been my mission and my joy to shepherd the Inspiring Minds organization through a period of incredible growth. During this time, Inspiring Minds has expanded its services, including incorporating Resilient Kids into its programming. It has expanded its reach, now serving more than 3,000 students. It has nearly five times its annual income and has grown its capacity, employing six full-time staff and partnering with more than 500 volunteers. We have a new home on Pavilion Street, new service areas outside of Providence, and a new vision as an anti-racist organization. Inspiring Minds continues to change in remarkable and exciting ways.
Changes are also happening at the leadership level. After five fantastic years as executive director of this vital organization, I have chosen to hand over the reins to a future leader who can take Inspiring Minds to the next level. I will leave the organization at the end of June, at which time the board plans to have an interim director in place while its members launch a thoughtful search for the next executive director.
I am tremendously proud of the work we have accomplished together and cannot wait to see the new ways Inspiring Minds will stretch and grow as it serves our community’s amazing youth.
With much love,
Melissa Emidy
Executive Director
Melissa Emidy
Our Team
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
Sarah Hopp
Chrissy Collins
Nicole Grace
Diane Madsen
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
Fatimatou Ndiaye
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
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.
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.
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