Explorers are multilingual and multiethnic youth who participate in a mentoring program and are provided a paid internship to “explore” the pathway to becoming a teacher in Providence Public Schools.
The Explorers program has three components: work readiness skills training, group mentoring, and a work-based learning experience.
Explorers support Pre-K to grade 5 students in a Providence Public School. They are matched with consistent students in small groups to develop trusting relationships and engage in structured activities to promote skill development in literacy and math.
In addition to 80 hours of paid service learning, Explorers are paid to attend individual and group mentoring sessions with the Director of Career Development and Education and attend a minimum of 20 hours of paid professional development annually. Explorers must be 18 years old, identify as BIPOC or fluently speak a language that is spoken by students in Providence Public Schools. Explorers must submit to a state background check and be able to commit to a minimum of three hours per week from September 2025 to June 2026. Explorers must reside in Rhode Island and strongly commit to equitable education. The program’s goal is to encourage multilingual and multiethnic youth to work in Providence Public Schools and to add another entry point to the education career pathway that will support an increase in the number of Providence Public School staff that is reflective of the Providence student demographics.
