Welcome to Jumpstart Lexington at the University of Kentucky.

Jumpstart is working toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Through extraordinary attention in yearlong, one-to-one relationships, Jumpstart inspires children to learn, adults to teach, families to get involved, and communities to progress together.

College Students, Apply Now!
Change a child’s life and become a Jumpstart Corps member.
Chances are it may change your life, too!

JUMPSTART IS NOW HIRING! Jumpstart is an AmeriCorps program that recruits college students to mentor 3-5 year old children who need individual attention. Read stories, sing songs and play games that support young children’s school readiness, and earn a Work-Study wage or academic credit and an AmeriCorps Education Award of $1000 in the process. Jumpstart Corps members work with their team for 10-12 hours a week in local early childhood and Head Start centers, paired one-to-one with a partner child. Gain valuable skills and experience, earn Federal Work-Study money or academic credit, and make a difference in the life of a child! All majors welcome! You can apply on-line or contact Whitney A. Stevenson at 859-257-2048 or whitney.stevenson@uky.edu

ADDED BENEFITS: Are you interested in being a teacher after graduation? Jumpstart Corps members with a degree in early childhood education or at least 12 units/credits in early childhood education or developmental coursework are eligible for the exclusive Pearson Teacher Fellowship program to teach preschool full-time for two years. For more information about the Fellowship please visit www.jstart.org/pearson

What does Jumpstart do for students?

“I really enjoyed this year. This was by far my favorite job so far in life. I loved it.”

--Jamie, Corps Member, UK freshman

“I would not change anything about Jumpstart. I enjoy being a team leader and working with my team, my boss, the school and especially the kids.”

--Robert, Team Leader, UK freshman

“I really enjoy the work I do with Jumpstart and I’ve had a great year.”

--Ashley, Corps Member, UK freshman

“It’s been a great year. I have really grown. I look forward to growing with Jumpstart in the future.”

--Jessica, Team Leader, UK freshman

Our favorite Jumpstart memories from 05-06:

Walks through the “forest”
Food in our hair
Hugs and kisses
Playing cheerleader
Preschool soap operas
Getting children to read
When they wave at us
Lockdown drills
Bathroom troubles
Planting the flowers
Doing the tooty-ta dance
Hearing speech improve
Smiling faces
Being “Jumpstart friends”

Comments from teachers:

“Each Corps Member has made a connection with at least one child in the classroom. When they enter the classroom, the children are excited to see them. They do a wonderful job of encouraging the children to read books and to be creative and individualistic with their artwork.”

--Ms. C., preschool teacher, BTWA

“The Corps Members jump right in and do whatever is necessary. They are great, always very sweet, helpful, and receptive. They do a great job of redirecting and talking children through problems or arguments.”

--Ms. D., preschool teacher, BTWA

Contact Us:
Tracy Meehling, Site Manager
University of Kentucky - James W Stuckert Career Center
408 Rose St, Lexington, KY 40506-0494
tracy.meehling@uky.edu
859-257-2048

Updated on May 19, 2008 11:37 by the webmaster and hosted by the College of Education