Friends of Island Academy has an immediate opening for an educator, passionate about creating a classroom environment where young people engage, thrive and experience academic and personal success.
Essential Responsibilities
Create a pathway for Friends’ youth members to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma
- Create and lead a dynamic classroom which provides safe and engaging learning environment for students primarily ages 17 to 21 involved in the NYC justice system;
- Provide instruction in Social Studies, Science, English Language Arts, Math, and Writing preparing students to pass the 5 subparts of TASC in a setting with a wide range of student abilities;
- Support students’ development as readers and writers; teach reading strategies and provide regular, meaningful writing activities;
- Develop learner-centered, participatory lessons, using relevant materials and a project-based approach;
- Create engaging instructional strategies and lesson plans in both math and/or literacy, including group instruction and one-on-one tutoring;
- Evaluate student progress using standardized assessment tools and in-class assessment.
- Work with students, families and advocacy staff to view HSE diploma as a stepping stone to further academic and personal growth;
- Collaborate with Friends’ staff and youth/peer leaders to establish a culture of high expectations for student engagement, attendance, and achievement;
- Collaborate with Education team and youth/families to conduct assessments for prospective students and to consider and identify best and most promising educational options;
- Maintain attendance and assessment data in Friends’ agency-wide database; enter regular notes on student progress;
- Collaborate with colleagues to plan/participate in student orientations, field trips, and on-going educational planning and development;
- Engage in professional development opportunities and participate in weekly Education team meetings, and other agency activities;
- Create opportunities to engage student families/significant others to support student success;
- Develop collaborative relationships with referring agents, Probation Officers, other youth serving organizations and Department of Education to support and promote student success.
- BA/BS degree required; Masters in Education is preferred;
- Demonstrated experience in creating a collaborative classroom environment which engages and motivates young people;
- Minimum three years’ experience teaching literacy/HSE classes, preferably with vulnerable and high risk youth and young adults;
- Demonstrated ability to manage classrooms through practices rooted in youth development and asset-based learning;
- Commitment to and passion for our youth members and a belief in their ability to advance and thrive.