Calling all educators: a new program idea

Hi everyone, Today I write this Hub for a reason unlike any other that has compelled me to write here: I have an idea. And I think this is a good place to bring it.

I don't know what to do with it quite yet. I want it to happen very badly and am willing to put forth all the effort I can, but I'm not sure where I can bring it.

I want to bring college and middle/high school together. I want to rid the need for more elective classes and extracurricular activities in middle and high schools in the United States, and I want to help solve that need by bringing in college students - graduates preferably - to the schools and volunteering.

At my middle and high schools, the music program was cut because the district couldn't afford to run it anymore. I love music and had been a part of the program for years, but I was on my own once the program disappeared. I attempted to practice on my own for when I reached college, but it wasn't enough, and I didn't make the program I wanted to join.

Now that I work for City Year, the non-profit organization that works with elementary through high schools, I still see that need. I specifically work with middle schoolers, and the administrators say they need more people like us to bring art programs, school newspapers, and more to the school and to relieve the pressure on teachers already present at the schools who are trying to run programs on their own but who are getting burned out.

I also notice that there are a lot of college students and grads with a lot of knowledge and talent but nowhere to take it. They are getting jobs that suffice but don't bring them closer to their passions. I was a journalism major, and while there were a lot of students, many didn't get anything near their dream jobs.

Maybe such students would want to share their passions with youth with energy and potential but no idea what to do with it.

My idea for a program is PASSIONS (Putting Alternative Structured Studies Into Our Nation's Schools). It would call for university grads students with at least three years of college (or a sufficient, demonstrated level of knowledge and skills) in a certain field to volunteer in middle and high schools where a need for a class or program of the field is needed. For instance, if you studied dance, you could run a dance program at a school at least once a week. It's better than nothing. The program would provide necessary, basic training on teaching practices, but your college studies should be enough to get the job done. Compassion would do the rest.

I know this is possible. This is something very similar to what City Year does, but I don't think you should have to commit to as much as City Year calls for; many schools I think would appreciate having someone with enough energy, skills, and compassion for one or two days a week. I would do it for free, and I think I know a lot of others who would as well. In many cases, it wouldn't have to be yearlong either; it could be a one-semester, -quarter, or -trimester class only.

I'm posting this because I want to know if you are a school teacher or administrator, is this something you'd like at your school? If you are a college student, would you be interested in this program? Please give me feedback.

Thank you!