Job Information
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) 12th Grade Writing Associate Instructor in New York, New York
Title: 12th Grade Writing Associate Instructor
Reports To: Senior Manager of Operations & Instruction
FLSA: Part-time, Seasonal
Location: New York City, in-person.
Compensation: $40/hr
Dates:
Boot Camp: Orientation in early August; Instruction: M-F August 5-16
Fall Saturday Academy: Orientation in early September; Instruction: 10 Saturdays from September to January.
LOCATION
This is a part-time, in-person position based out of our New York City office. All duties is expected to be performed on-site with the understanding that government and public health guidelines will help determine the extent to which it is safe to carry out in-person and onsite activities.
All candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire.
ABOUT SEO
For more than 60 years, SEO has created a more equitable society by closing the educational and career opportunity gap for ambitious Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American young people. All are welcome to apply to our programs.
Associate Instructors are the first to cover classes when instructors are out or they co-teach alongside experienced SEO Lead Instructors to facilitate classroom instruction, teach mini lessons, organize small group and one-on-one instruction, and provide additional Scholar support. Associate Instructors do not have grading responsibilities.
Available Positions:
One Semester or Two: Preference will be given to candidates who can commit to both Boot Camp (August 5-16) and Fall Saturday Academy (September to January). However, you may also apply for only one semester. Please indicate which you are applying for (both Boot Camp and Fall, only Boot Camp, or only Fall).
Courses by Semester:
Boot Camp is an intensive 2-week program with a focus on college admissions for 12th grade Scholars. Fall Saturday Academy continues this focus on college admissions on a weekly basis.
The Sites:
12th Grade Instructors will attend Monday - Thursday Summer Academy Programming at LIU Brooklyn (1 University Plaza, Brooklyn).
During the Fall semester, instructors will also attend periodic Professional Development Sessions, either remotely, or at the SEO Office (55 Exchange Place, New York).
Key Responsibilities:
Instruction & Facilitation – Co-teach two periods of Writing classes. When asked to cover for another instructor, lead the class on your own. Follow provided lesson plans and meet lesson objectives, abiding by SEO’s articulated criteria for rigorous instruction and student engagement. Hold Scholars to high expectations, use protocols for student-driven discussion and group work, and promote depth of understanding via questioning.
Navigate Instructional Technologies – Learn and efficiently utilize our instructional technologies such as Brightspace (Learning Management System), Nearpod, GSuite applications, and Zoom chat (instant messaging tool) in a Blended Learning environment.
Content Preparation – Read, internalize, and practice all lesson plans and materials provided by SEO prior to teaching. Implement thoughtful adjustments to pacing and activities based on specific student needs. Reflect on curriculum notes from Lead Instructors & Curriculum Designers and brainstorm content teaching strategies with peers.
Tutoring and Academic Support – Host open-door tutoring sessions with Scholars who want to come in and review skills learned from class, make up missed work or lessons, or develop new skills. Associate Instructors can support Scholar needs as they enter, or plan intentional workshop days to promote to Scholars.
Classroom Culture – Project an energetic, engaging, and approachable persona to promote students’ connection to the content, investment in the learning experience, and positive relationship to all members of the community.
Collaboration with SEO Staff and Instructors – Plan and work alongside Lead Instructors and fellow instructional staff to build optimal experiences for Scholar learning. Collaborate with Scholars’ Program Managers to communicate Scholar celebrations and/or concerns to ensure we are supporting the whole student. Attend all scheduled meetings, professional development trainings, check-ins, and debriefs and respond to all emails and Zoom chats in a timely manner.
Responsiveness to Coaching and Feedback – Meet with your assigned instructional coach (Lead Instructor) at least twice during the semester to receive and implement feedback and recommendations from their classroom observations. Coaching is centered on SEO’s Indicators of Effective Instruction including 1) developing facilitation & protocols, 2) strengthening content & learning, 3) promoting Scholars’ leadership & self-efficacy, and 4) building community.
Dates, Hours, and Teaching Load by Semester:
Boot Camp (Summer)
Semester Instructor Orientation: Boot Camp Orientation will take place in late July/early August, the exact date tbd. This mandatory orientation will be held remotely on Zoom. Fall Orientation will take place in early September, specific date tbd, over Zoom.
Instruction: Monday to Friday, 9:00am-2:30pm
Associate Instructors are allotted a minimum of 25 hours per week for two weeks of Boot Camp programming, plus additional flex hours for the semester.
Writing Coaches teach two 50 minute sessions, Writing Class and Writing Center, to one group of about 20 students. They also provide extensive writing feedback and coaching to students.
Saturday Academy (Fall)
Semester Instructor Orientation: Fall Orientation will take place in early September, specific date tbd, over Zoom.
Instruction: 10 Saturdays, September to December, dates tbd, 9am-2:30.
Associate Instructors are allotted a minimum average of 10 hours per week for the semester (10 Saturdays).
Writing Coaches teach two 50 minute sessions, Writing Class and Writing Center, to one group of about 20 students. They also provide extensive writing feedback and coaching to students.
Non-Instructional Support: Instructors may also be asked to staff student support workshops remotely over Zoom on a rolling basis (Friday afternoons and other dates tbd, based on instructor availability).
Competencies:
Mission-Driven – Demonstrated dedication to closing the opportunity gap for underserved and underrepresented students and young professionals
Student-Centered – Alignment with an instructional philosophy that positions teachers as thinking coaches and facilitators of student learning
Organized & Flexible – Adept at processing and acting upon complex logistical information and demonstrates flexibility when needed
Conscientious Communicator – Proactive, reliable, and consistent staff partner who articulates ideas clearly and effectively to both adults and students
Cultural Responsiveness - Awareness of one's own cultural identity and views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community norms of Scholars and their families.
Cultural Humility - Ability to apply critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with students and colleagues.
Qualifications:
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
Classroom teaching experience, preferably at the high school or early college level.
Comfortable with and skilled at working with and navigating technological learning systems
Understand and practice of student-centered pedagogy
Writing Coaches: expertise and depth of knowledge with college application writing, ELA curricula, high school writing curricula, or is in a graduate degree program for writing
Meticulous attention to detail and deadline-driven
Experience with College Admissions and Access
Knowledge and experience with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Knowledgeable with research-based, culturally responsive, equity-driven, and anti-oppressive instructional practices
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This position is benefits ineligible in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.
SEO EEOC Policy
At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.
If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent (seotalent@seo-usa.org)