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Learning Tree program uses high-school seniors as paid after-school staff; district highlights hands-on experience
Summary
Northside showcased its Learning Tree after-school enrichment program, emphasizing paid positions for high-school seniors that offer classroom experience and employability skills. The district says the program provides real pay and benefits and is being used as a recruitment pipeline into education and other roles.
Northside ISD highlighted the Learning Tree after-school program, which employs high-school seniors as paid youth leaders and offers students classroom experience and a paid pathway into education-related work.
A short video and remarks by Cody Miller, director of adult community education, explained the program's goals. "It's really just an opportunity for employment for high school seniors who want to work with kids," Miller said. Seniors in the education and training endorsement program work in pre-K through eighth-grade settings and earn district pay and benefits while gaining on-the-job experience.
Student participants described the benefits. Senior Soraya (last name not specified in public comment) said the role "has helped me gain so much experience and so much knowledge. It's definitely given me a lot to think about, just classroom experience." Another senior, Carino Medellin, said the pay helped her save for college.
Miller and trustees noted the program also helps campus staffing: high-school employees assist in after-school coverage and may provide a pipeline to future Northside employment. The district reported about 29 youth-leader vacancies at the time of the HR presentation but said on-site leaders and assistant leaders were fully staffed.
Why it matters: The program provides employment, early career experience and helps campuses fill routine after-school roles. Trustees discussed whether similar pipelines could be expanded into vocational trades or other campus roles.
Provenance: Based on the superintendent's video moment and presentation by Cody Miller during the superintendent's report and HR briefing.
