The Community Coach program by Prenda assigns new guides to experienced guides who can coach, support, and mentor in starting a microschool. Coaches also host virtual and in-person events both nationwide and in their local communities. Coaches are selected based on community needs, skills, and geography.
What is a Community Coach?
Prenda guides are known far and wide for their dedication to empowering young learners and living values like “Start with Heart.” Since a microschool is a new concept to most people, there are plenty of opportunities to support each other, answer questions, and share encouragement with both new and experienced guides. Every day, these things are happening naturally within the community. To build on this great foundation, we have created the Community Coach program.
How does it work?
Community coaches are recognized as friendly faces in the community. Every new guide is assigned to a coach to answer questions, solve problems, and provide encouragement throughout the process of starting a microschool. Beyond the initial steps of starting a microschool, the coach continues to be a supportive friend and mentor to the guides they are helping by hosting events and get-togethers both in person and virtually.
What are the benefits?
In addition to the good feeling of helping another person and advancing the microschool movement, coaches receive financial credits to offset some of the cost of their Prenda fee. Coaches will receive an annual credit of $150 per student in their microschool, with a cap of 15 students. Coaches will be chosen for the school year by September 30, 2024, and the annual credit will be allocated equally over quarters 2-4.
How to apply?
Active Prenda guides can apply to become a community coach by clicking here.
How are coaches chosen?
The Prenda team will select coaches based on the needs of the community, considering factors such as the skills and abilities of the coach, the number of interested new and existing guides, and geography. Coaches will be adjusted over time to ensure that all guides are supported.
Example
Linda has only been a guide for a year, but she brings a lot more experience as an expert in building connection and supporting kids through the mess of daily learning. She wants to help others succeed, so she applies to be a coach. Because of strong interest in her area, there is a need for a new coach, so she is selected. She receives guidance and resources from Prenda about how to effectively support new guides, and before long she begins seeing new guides assigned to her. She helps them through the process, from deciding to start a microschool all the way to the first day of school, and beyond. She may also be asked to help organize local events for guides in her area. Linda will notice a financial credit in PrendaWorld applied in the second, third, and fourth quarters of the school year, adding up to an annual total of $150 per student (cap of 15 students).