Citizen Schools Definitions

WOW!? CT? AT? Wondering about Citizen Schools' lingo? Search no more. The answers are here...

Achieve - Inspire - Make the Grade (AIM): Apprentices spend 60 minutes per day at Citizen Schools working on their homework and developing good study habits and school navigation skills.

Apprentice: 9-14 year old student who works with one or more adult experts (called Citizen Teachers) to master skills through an Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship: A team consisting of two to four adults (Citizen Teachers) and five to ten young people (Apprentices) who work together over a number of sessions (one and half to two hours each) to gain mastery in specific skills, culminating in a real, adult quality performance, product or presentation (a WOW!).

Citizen Teacher (CT): A volunteer who shares what they know with small groups of 9-14 year olds over the course of a 10 session Apprenticeship, ending in a WOW!

Explorations: Hands-on learning adventures throughout the city or on campus that engage apprentices in a variety of historical and cultural resources. These Explorations take place on non-apprenticeship days and focus on building the academic skills of writing, data analysis, and oral presentation.

Teaching Fellows (TF): Citizen Schools has devised a unique way to attract talented young educators into our program by providing them with a full-time positions, benefits, and incredible opportunities for professional development.  Fellows work with both Citizen Schools and another non-profit partner organization, splitting their time between the two organizations.  Some Teaching Fellows also participate in a Masters program from Lesley University.

Teaching Associate (TA): Teaching Associates work on our staff with a team of approximately ten 9-14 year old Apprentices. They assist volunteer Citizen Teachers in Apprenticeships, lead Explorations and Apprenticeships, teach writing skills, communicate with families, and keep apprentices engaged in all aspects of the program. 

WOW!: An authentic adult quality product, performance or presentation that showcases what students have created and learned through their apprenticeship.

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