Seton Texas – Brillante Academy and El Camino
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
Categories:
Spanish Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
Seton Education Partners was founded in 2008 in response to the dramatic decline of Catholic grade schools in America’s most underserved neighborhoods. Our mission is to ensure that every family living in poverty has access to an academically excellent, character-rich, and vibrantly Catholic education for their children. To achieve this, Seton leverages innovation, entrepreneurship, strong leadership, and public resources. Over time, we have launched four distinct school models that carry forward the Church’s rich legacy of teaching. Central to our mission are two signature programs: Seton Teaching Fellows, which places passionate recent college graduates as missionaries who support students academically during the day and nurture children and families spiritually after school, and El Camino, a daily Catholic faith formation program that deepens students’ relationship with Christ. Today, Seton manages nine schools serving roughly 3,500 students across South Texas, the Bronx, and Cincinnati. Among them is Brillante Academy, a two-way dual language school that combines personalized learning, virtue formation, and a classically inspired curriculum to develop bilingual, biliterate scholars of strong character. Brillante currently serves more than 430 students from Mission and surrounding Rio Grande Valley communities, with plans for continued growth in Texas.
Student Role
NDBridge students at our site spend much of their day gaining leadership experience by teaching enrichment activities to Brillante students in small-group rotations during our summer program. This hands-on work allows NDBridge students to build meaningful relationships with Brillante students while developing a deeper understanding of the needs of low-income communities. Enrichment activities are flexible, based on an NDBridge student’s strengths, and can also align with our ongoing areas of research—for example, teaching early faith formation through sacred arts or music. In addition to teaching, NDBridge students are assigned a support area based on their skills and interests. Support areas include data collection and analysis, marketing and communication, family and community outreach, event planning, faith formation, or logistic support for Texas Workforce Commission Childcare Funding. This combination of direct student engagement and organizational support provides a well-rounded, practical experience in education and community impact.
Work Schedule
NDBridge students will work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break, and will have evenings and weekends free. They will also be asked to support a few community events, which could occur in the evening or on a weekend.
Orientation
We believe that strong onboarding, ongoing support, and training are essential for setting NDBridge students up for success. NDBridge students will begin with a 3–4 hour Zoom orientation designed to deepen their understanding of Seton and Brillante’s mission, explain their role in supporting it, set clear expectations, hear from organization leaders and missionaries, and learn about the support structures available to them. This will be followed by a 3–5 day on-site orientation, where NDBridge students will build foundational teaching skills, plan and rehearse enrichment lessons, observe teachers, and receive personalized training related to their assigned support area. Each NDBridge student will also be assigned a coach to provide ongoing guidance and development. By the end of the program, we aim for NDBridge students to leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of education in low-income communities, a sense of pride in their impact, and professional skills that will be transferable to any sector they pursue.
Housing Information
NDBridge students will live on site and will reside in a fully furnished house that accommodates up to seven individuals. The house is thoughtfully divided to provide separate living areas for men and women, ensuring privacy and comfort. Each resident has their own sleeping area/beds (with linens) within the designated gender-specific spaces. Students will share common amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, multiple living spaces, and 3 full-bathrooms, and a laundry room.The house also features a spacious backyard, providing an additional area for relaxation and community gatherings. NDBridge students can expect a supportive and collaborative living environment with their peers, where shared responsibilities and respect for communal spaces are emphasized. The community house encourages a culture of mutual respect, cooperation, and engagement, fostering both personal and professional growth during their NDBridge experience.
Spanish Language Proficiency
Fluent
Background Check
CPR Training, Fingerprints
Drivers License
If the student has a license and is willing.
Student Preferences
Interest in Early Childhood Learning; Data Management; Community Outreach – speaking, writing, and other forms of communication; technological