EduGator Newsletter |September 3, 2025

WE ARE SEEKING A SCHOOL COUNSELOR FOR OUR VACANT POSITION

A Masters Degree in School Counseling is REQUIRED*

School Counselors are professionally certified individuals who enhance students’ achievement by supporting academic, career, and skills for learning and life. They are leaders at their schools where they work to implement a comprehensive school counseling plan that ensures every student has access to school counseling services and support while helping students on a path for postsecondary success.

School Counselors are trained to meet with students in individual settings, small groups, and whole groups. School Counselors can collaborate with staff members, community partners, families, and others to ensure that students and families are supported utilizing a student-centered approach.

We are looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference and have a profound impact on the lives of children. If this is you, please forward your letter of interest and resume to Ms. Sheila Darville, Asst. to Principal Bembry – sheila.darville@palmbeachschools.org

If your qualifications meet our current hiring needs, you will be contacted for an interview.

FLDOE CERTIFICATION

MUST have a Masters Degree in School Counseling, hold valid teaching credentials, and/or be eligible for certification/statement of eligibility.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP TO CANDIDATES.

Glen Billesbach

Coordinator & Instructor, Active Learning Program

Email: gbillesbach@ufl.edu

We are excited to announce multiple teaching opportunities for the upcoming academic year and invite your recent graduates and alumni to consider joining our dynamic and supportive school community. Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High School is currently seeking enthusiastic and dedicated educators across all subject areas who are passionate about student learning and committed to continuous professional growth.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• A strong work ethic and professionalism
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• A growth mindset and willingness to reflect and improve
• The ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues
• A commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment

Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High School serves a diverse student population and values educators who are student-centered, adaptable, and eager to make a meaningful impact in the classroom.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and any supporting materials to Ms. Kismet Ulloa at kismetulloa@pinecrestmiddlehigh.org.

We welcome applicants from all subject areas and are eager to connect with educators who are ready to inspire and lead.

• Work with students in both online and in-person classrooms.
• Earn up to $700 per week.
• Receive comprehensive paid training and ongoing support.
• Gain up to 200 hours of experience teaching their own classes to students from 4-year-olds to adults.

• 10 weeks of teaching.
• Full-time and part-time positions available. All schedules include teaching on both weekend days.
• Entry-level position, with opportunities for continued employment with the Institute after the summer.

• We have two training programs:
  • A 3-week full-time program, Monday-Friday in the weeks immediately preceding teaching.
  • A part-time independent study program designed for current full-time teachers.

• Have strong reading skills and read fiction for pleasure.
• Are responsible and hard-working, with strong communication and organizational skills.
• Are comfortable and confident with technology.
• Have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Are active, patient, and supportive with students and parents.

Do you enjoy teaching youth outdoors about Florida’s natural ecosystems? Are you interested in serving communities, gaining professional job skills, and environmental stewardship? If so, we’d love for you to join our Florida 4-H AmeriCorps team, where you’ll receive a biweekly living stipend, education award for education expenses, housing (as available), professional development and certifications, and skills that can be applied to any career. Internship credit can also be received as part of your position. Our Florida 4-H camps are located in Niceville and Lake Placid, FL, and we’re looking for team members who can serve at camp anytime between September – August each year. Positions can last for just a summer term or for a full year.  We’re currently interviewing for positions now, so apply today or reach out to Sam Brown, sbrown11@ufl.edu, with any questions you may have! Apply here: www.tinyurl.com/4HACopps.

Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver, or significant person. Our programs are free of charge and include trust-building activities and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone’s programs are offered to children ages 7-17, and their families for the family programs, as well as some young adult programs for 18-25-year-olds.

We need volunteers, ages 18+, to be paired with a child ranging in ages 7-17. The volunteer would be what we call a “Big Buddy”. Big Buddies serve as the child’s anchor for the weekend and take part in all aspects of camp alongside their camper. Big and Little Buddies eat meals together, play games, sleep in cabins and participate in Healing Circles, which are support groups led by licensed clinical mental health professionals. There is no need to have experienced a loss or know anything about grief. All you need to do is be present and support a child throughout the weekend while they work through their grief.

There are other volunteer opportunities available for those who want to serve in a different capacity. Information on all volunteer roles can be found here. What’s needed to volunteer? You must complete an online application, criminal background check, and complete our volunteer training. Anyone can start by completing an application using the link here.

Upcoming Camp:

November 14-16

Fruitland Park, FL

If there are any questions, I can be emailed at mleonard@comfortzonecamp.org.

We are conducting an international research study to better understand how university students think and act when it comes to microplastics—tiny plastic particles found in food, water, and the environment. These particles may affect human health, but awareness and education around them vary across different countries and cultures.

This study will be conducted in the United States, France, and Turkey, allowing us to compare student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors across different regions.

By participating, you will help us:

• Measure student knowledge and behaviors related to microplastics
• Compare awareness levels across multiple countries
• Identify educational needs and policy gaps
• Lay the groundwork for developing future public health campaigns and university-level environmental education

Interested in participating?
To go directly to the survey: https://redcap.link/microplastics_KAP

To get more information, please contact:

Berkay Dincer, MD

Balance 180 Gymnastics & Sports Academy, a local non-profit organization that focuses on integrating children with and without special needs through sports. This fall, we are offering a hands-on learning experience available for students interested in working with children. We are looking for highly motivated volunteers to participate in our Adaptive classes on Saturdays. Below is a brief description of the program.

During our Adaptive Gymnastics Classes, we teach gymnasts with physical or intellectual disabilities foundational skills on the vault, bars, beam, and floor in a step-by-step, individualized process. Our volunteers work one-on-one with the athletes and help each athlete work at their own pace. Volunteers focus on helping the athletes improve motor skills and encourage them to follow instructions and make new friends. No gymnastics experience is required to be a great volunteer. The Adaptive Gymnastics volunteering opportunities will be held on most Saturdays, listed specifically on the below flyer, from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Please fill out the linked Google Form to apply! We are so excited to be offering this volunteer opportunity at Balance 180!

We are excited to announce that applications for MentorGNV are open for the Fall 2025 semester!

MentorGNV is an organization that provides mentors – in the form of UF students like you – for the students of Alachua County Public Schools. Our mentors volunteer in local elementary, middle, and high schools each week to serve as a source of continuous support, companionship, and empowerment for students in our local community. Mentors support their mentees academically, socially, mentally, and emotionally each week as they navigate school and life. We believe that by simply being there for our mentees, we can have a profound impact on their lives, and ultimately, on our whole community.

Our organization is open to all majors. Mentors volunteer at their assigned school each week for anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. We work with your schedule and preferences to assign you a mentoring placement that’s right for you. We also create carpools by pairing mentors who have offered to drive others with mentors needing transportation to their school. Our mentoring divisions are as follows: elementary 1-on-1, elementary group, middle school, high school, and science outreach. We invite you to visit the About Us page on our website to get a glimpse into what mentoring in each division looks like.

How do I get involved?

• Fill out an application here: https://forms.gle/qeX5akGYZgbQh9qMA.
• Receive your acceptance email from us and follow the contained instructions.
• Receive your placement email from us with your assigned school, shift time and day, and carpool assignment, if applicable.
• Start mentoring!

Where can I find more information?

• Follow our Instagram, @mentorgnv, to stay up to date!
• Visit our website, mentorgnv.org, and our LinkedIn.
• Attend our interest social on Friday, August 22nd at 11:30 AM in Plaza of the Americas to learn more about us. Follow our Instagram for reminders about this event and more to come!
• Contact us with any questions at mentorgnv@gmail.com.

Applications will close on Friday, September 5th at 11:59 PM. Apply today to make a difference in the lives of the youth here in our Gainesville community!

Study Details: This study will explore College of Education students’ awareness, interest, and involvement in undergraduate research opportunities at the University of Florida. The results from this study will help define a model for current participation in undergraduate research, which will be used to determine strategies and techniques to better encourage undergraduate participation in College of Education research opportunities.

Participants will be asked to take a brief survey, which should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. Upon completion, participants can volunteer to participate in follow-up interviews to further explore their perspectives on undergraduate research in the College of Education.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/6rRSLFJtuKMPuVHQ7

We are looking for university students who would be interested in spending some time each week assisting in our student support center, where we will provide tutoring, counseling, mentoring, and essay and research paper revision/editing and formatting assistance.

Thank you!

Mrs. Jeannine Dupler

Cambridge Coordinator

Gainesville High School

Centre Number US074

Website: Cambridge (AICE) / Cambridge (AICE) (sbac.edu)

If you love kids and are looking for a way to get involved, then consider volunteering with Gator Junior Golf, Gainesville’s only non-profit junior golf program! As a volunteer, you would be mentoring and helping kids ages 4-17 to develop both golf skills and life skills that can be used on and off the course. Only basic golf knowledge is required. If interested, please visit https://gatorjuniorgolf.org/volunteer-2, for more information or email us at growthegame@gatorjuniorgolf.org.

Gainesville Thrives works to promote tutoring and mentoring for kindergarten through high school students, as well as other services for expectant parents, parents and their infants, toddlers, and preschool children. By informing the faith-based community and others of Gainesville’s needs and opportunities, we can achieve long-term academic success for students and stronger and healthier families.

You can join in our mission at Gainesville Thrives (www.gainesvillethrives.org) as the local partner of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to provide age-appropriate books by mail to children from birth to four years old. We need volunteers to register families attending library story times, museum toddler activities, and community and church events.  You can participate at a single activity or weekly outreach to improve literacy for underserved children in Alachua County and change their trajectory in life. Join our UF Student Chapter: https://www.gainesvillethrives.org/student-org or apply for an internship to learn how an educational nonprofit works.

• Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity to connect with local schools, gain hands-on experience, and align your coursework with practical insights? Look no further than the Alachua County Council of PTAs (ACCPTA)!
• Why Volunteer with ACCPTA?
• The mission of PTAs everywhere is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
• By volunteering through ACCPTA, you can gain unparalleled insights into the education system, enabling you to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-life scenarios. If you aspire to work in education, non-profit, or related fields, volunteering with us will provide you with practical experience that can set you apart when pursuing future career opportunities. Many educational programs require volunteer hours as part of their curriculum. ACCPTA offers fulfilling volunteer roles with local school PTA units that can help you meet these requirements while making a meaningful impact.
• Diverse Volunteer Opportunities:
• We offer a wide range of volunteer positions that cater to your specific interests and the varying needs of our local schools. Whether you’re interested in fundraising, event planning, leadership roles, or general volunteer tasks, ACCPTA has a role for you and can connect you with a local school in need of your skills.
• You can learn more about our organization here: About Us – Alachua County Council PTA (accpta.org)
• If you are interested in volunteering, please contact legislation@accpta.org

Our program provides flexibility with our tutors and our student athletes. Tutors can work with individuals or in small group settings.  Tutors and student athletes (and sometimes advisors) work together to set up times that are best for everyone, we have morning, afternoon and nighttime sessions in our center in Farrior Hall on campus. Pay rate will be determined based on level of education as well as teaching/tutoring experience, and undergraduate students start at $15/hr, graduate students start at $17/hr, and PhD candidates start at $20/hr.

 https://recruiting.ultipro.com/UNI1069/JobBoard/b79f8e87-0a19-9864-4adb-f19fc877c648/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=4c4f10c4-da5d-4e5e-9493-7ea9ff9a360a

Location: Wilds Planation Community in Gainesville

Job Description: We are seeking a responsible and caring babysitter/tutor for our 6-year-old daughter who will start elementary school this Fall.  The ideal candidate will provide a nurturing and educational environment, assisting with reading, math, as well as overseeing other learning and play activities.

Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Preferably 5 days a week, but 4 days will be considered

Responsibilities:
Supervising reading and math enrichment work
Engaging in play and learning activities (story time, board games, painting, crafting)
Getting the kid ready for bed

Requirements:
Experience with young children
Patience and a positive attitude
Ability to provide educational support
Reliable and punctual

Compensation:

$24-$30/per hour (commensurate with experience and qualification)

If you are interested and meet the above requirements, please contact Jing at 419-308-7885.

Position: One-on-One Educational Aide
Schedule: Tuesdays 8:00am-3:15pm, Wednesdays 10:00am-3:15pm, Thursdays 8:00am-5:00pm, other hours as needed
Pay: $17.32/hour
Location: Early Childhood Collaborative (formerly Baby Gator) at Lake Alice

Position Summary: I am seeking a caring and dedicated aide to support my bright and engaged 2.5-year-old daughter Ada, who has cerebral palsy, in the classroom environment along similarly-aged peers. The ideal candidate will help facilitate Ada’s participation in all classroom activities while supporting her physical and developmental needs. The ideal candidate would be available for all hours, but availability for only some of the hours could also be considered. Ada receives full-time 1:1 support while in the classroom and you would be communicating at times with her other aides regarding her needs and well-being.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Ada’s participation in classroom activities and routines
• Assist with mobility equipment including gait trainer, stander, and supportive chair
• Help with toileting, feeding, and personal care needs
• Support communication using Ada’s AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device
• Facilitate peer interactions and inclusive play
• Assist with putting on/taking off AFOs (ankle-foot orthotics) and hand braces
• Occasionally assist during physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy sessions
• Follow individualized care plans and classroom protocols

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Experience working with young children preferred
• Experience with cerebral palsy or developmental delays a plus
• Patience, creativity, and positive attitude essential
• Ability to lift and transfer a toddler safely
• Strong communication skills
• Reliable and punctual

Please email me directly at braja.smith@gmail.com or text at (352) 278-7725 with a description of your interest and background working with children.

Seeking an outgoing, fun person to assist 6th grade daughter with homework and pre-test practice 2 days of the week. Flexible with days of the week, and we are normally home by 4pm during the week. If interested, please call Karena at 352-870-2652.

Now Hiring: Private Tutor | STEPs for Success

✨ Position Benefits:

• $22.50/hour
• Flexible hours to fit your schedule
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives

📋 Position Requirements:

• Prior tutoring or teaching experience or a junior/senior elementary education major
• Must commit to the full academic school year
• Minimum of 4 hours/week commitment
• Available 3–4 afternoons or evenings per week (Monday–Friday)
• Reliable transportation is required

📨 Interested?

Send your resume to Stephanie (Program Director) at:  stephanie@stepsforsuccess.org