A highlight of my time as 4-H Youth Development Educator with The Ohio State University Extension from January 2017 through April 2020.
Educator works collaboratively with county, center, areas and state teams of OSU Extension professionals and with local agency leaders and volunteers to provide leadership for 4-H Youth Development programming targeted local and area needs. The Educator utilizes appropriate methods, both formal and informal, of community assessment to identify educational needs and opportunities of local community. The Educator provides overall leadership to a comprehensive positive youth development program by designing, implementing, teaching and evaluating educational programming and developing new resources, based on these needs, to groups and individuals comprised of adults and/or youth. The Educator develops promotional material, leads committees and volunteers, and establishes and maintains partnerships within the community that support the achievement of the program goals. The Educator holds leadership roles in county, multi-county, state Extension teams to further the mission, vision and values of both Ohio State University Extension and 4-H Youth Development. Specifically, the Educator executes the following duties:
40% – Community Club & Volunteer Management: The 4-H community club program is very active in Marion County. With 32 community clubs and approximately 500 youth members, the Educator creates resources and trainings which support club management. Educator is responsible for the 4-H program’s strategic marketing plan, with creating printed materials, website content development, electronic communication (newsletters and social media), and presentations to recruit and retain community club members. Annual programming created and facilitated include 4-H kick off, officer trainings, project clinics, and project evaluation events among many others. Educator views 4-H volunteer support as a vital component in the management of a strong and vibrant youth serving organization; and provides resources, information, training and policy and procedure communications for 156 adult volunteers. As an ex-officio member of the Marion County Senior Fair Board, the Educator consults and provides positive youth development perspective as the sole advisor for the local Junior Fair Board and Junior Fair program. She also provides leadership for the Marion County 4-H Council.
30% – Teen Leadership Development: Educator provides leadership to both residential and day camping programs in Marion County, which includes the selection, training and support of teen volunteers in counselor leadership roles, planning and implementing of new programmatic efforts for camps annually. Educator also creates and facilitates programs for Junior Fair Board. Each year, Educator provides opportunities for more than 96 teens totaling nearly 70 hours of instruction. Educator provides programs for teens to develop leadership skills.
30% – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) & Workforce Development Education: Since 2017, Educator determined programmatic efforts in STEM areas are deemed a critical need in Marion County and correlates with Ohio State Extension’s commitment to lifelong learning to enhance workforce development for future employees. Educator is responsible for planning and implementing new programs and activities utilizing the engineering design process and computational thinking through collaborative community partnerships.
To view major accomplishments and future plans:
Blissfully Brave 