Paid Classroom Experience!

Looking for Students Planning to Become Teachers!  

What?

It is a paid work experience for college students interested in a teaching career. Students will be providing tutorial assistance to migrant students in grades k12 for 10 to 17.5 (possible 20) hours per week in the classroom. Students will earn $17.00 per hour.

Supervisor provided by a coordinator (certificated teacher who will recruit, interview, assign appropriate school/classroom placement and provide ongoing training and coaching.  

Where?

In Merced County Public K-12 schools impacted with migrant students in need of a tutor.  

When?

School year and/or summer (ongoing and currently accepting applications). 

  1. Have the knowledge of the migrant family lifestyle.  
  2. Must have financial need (Eligible for FAFSA).  
  3. Must have education as the main goal/  
  4. Must meet academic standards:  

G.P.A of 2.0 freshmen, 2.3 sophomore, 2.5 juniors, and 2.8 for seniors. 

  1. Able to communicate fluently in English and Spanish. 
  2. Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 or more  

units) for Fall/Spring semesters. No enrollment required for summer.  

  1. Available to work at least 10 hours a week. 
  2. Must be COVID-19 vaccinated or willing to be weekly 

About Mini-Corp

The California Mini-Corps Program (CMC) at Merced College is a statewide program originally patterned after the Peace Corps program.  The CMC program’s major goals include: 

  1. To provide direct instructional tutorial services to increase migrant student academic achievement through a cadre of trained college tutors. 
  2. To develop a cadre of future bilingual-bicultural, credentialed teachers that will be better equipped to work with migrant students. 

The Following California Mini-Corps Forms Are Available For Downloading:

Who can apply? 

Merced college students with a rural migrant background can apply to work as Mini-Corps tutors with migrant children enrolled in K-12 schools throughout Merced county.  Read about requirements to join. 

Requirements to Join California Mini-Corps: 

The California Mini-Corps Program at Merced College provides students who are seeking educational careers the opportunity to gain experience in a classroom setting.  

Students should be: 

  • Full-time undergraduate student taking 12 units or more 
  • Knowledgeable about the migrant lifestyle, or be a former migrant or farm laborer 
  • Interested in teaching or a career in education 
  • Bilingual in another language other than English (Spanish preferred to meet the needs of local schools) 
  • Meet GPA requirements 
  • Have financial need (you are currently receiving financial aid to pay for school) 
  • Be working towards acquiring a Bachelor’s degree 

Benefits of joining: 

  • Explore a possible career in the teaching field 
  • Work experience and training 
  • A job that pays $17.00 per hour 
  • Possible summer employment 
  • Flexible work schedule 
  • Time off for finals 
  • Work with migrant children and a chance to make a difference

History 

Patterned after the Peace Corps program, the California Mini-Corps Program (CMC) was initiated in 1967 through the support of Butte County Schools.  A corps of college students with rural migrant backgrounds were recruited to work as teacher assistants during the summer in K-12 schools with migrant student populations.   In 1974, the summer-only Mini-Corps program began its expansion into a school-year program.  Today, Mini-Corps serves migrant communities in 23 sites throughout California during the school year and summer. 

Mini-Corps college students, with their own migrant backgrounds, understand the unique challenges migrant children face in the school system and community.  Mini-Corps college students are able to connect with the migrant children they tutor, thus serving as good role models and, hopefully, raising the aspirations of migrant children.  

California Mini-Corps Program Goals 

The objective of the Mini-Corps Program is twofold: 

  1. To provide direct instructional tutorial services to increase migrant student academic achievement through a cadre of trained college tutors. 
  2. To develop a cadre of future bilingual-bicultural, credentialed teachers that will be better equipped to work with migrant students.

California Mini-Corps Program Locations 

Mini-Corps Programs are located in 23 sites throughout California.

Resources For California Mini-Corps Students

California Mini-Corps students my find the following resources useful when seeking out scholarships for which to apply. Read the requirements for each scholarship before applying. Make sure to apply early!

Workshops 

If you are a Merced College student interested in joining the California Mini-Corps, attend an upcoming workshop to learn more.

Workshop Schedule 

None scheduled at this time.

Contact

Merced Community College

Lesher Building,  3rd Floor
 3600 M. Street, Mailbox 65
 Merced, CA 95348

The Mini-Corps office is located in the Lesher Building across from the Financial Aid office.