Culture Lead Teacher, Refugee Youth Summer Academy

Classroom Culture Lead Teachers play an important, highly visible role in the Refugee Youth Summer Academy. Classroom Culture Lead Teachers work with a single class level throughout the program (K-1^st, 2^nd-3^rd, 4^th-5^th, 6^th-8^th, 9^th-10^th, or 11^th-12^th grades) providing support and continuity for their class throughout the day, week, and program. Grade level groupings are subject to change based on student enrollment demographics. Classroom Culture Lead Teachers assist Academic Lead Teachers in delivering RYSA curricula, for example providing differentiated small-group instruction, working with a student one-on-one, or providing additional sheltered instruction support for English Language Learners (ELLs.)

Classroom Culture Lead Teachers are directly responsible for driving classroom culture and behavior management in alignment with Program philosophy and classroom guidelines.They play a critical role in ensuring consistent, timely communication among Academic Lead Teachers, Peer Mentors, and Administration.

In addition, Classroom Culture Lead Teachers are responsible for observing, assessing, recording, and monitoring students’ individual progress on the IRC’s School Readiness goals.This requires understanding of the IRC School Readiness indicators, gathering input from other staff to accurately assess individual students’ school readiness assets and needs, and fostering School Readiness growth through implementation of IRC’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and School Readiness Strategies.

Major Responsibilities:

• Participate in the June 25 Teachers Meet & Greet, planning sessions, pre-program All Staff trainings, and all program meetings and staff development activities, thereafter
• With input from IRC Staff and the Academic Lead Teacher, assist in the implementation of a 6 week curriculum
• Complete on pre- and post-School Readiness observational assessments for each student in assigned class
• Collaborate with Academic Lead Teacher(s) in planning, coordinating classroom activities, and reviewing student progress
• Lead classroom climate and culture in accordance with Program philosophy and protocols
• Contribute to management of volunteer Peer Mentors, supporting youth in the classroom
• Manage dismissal protocols
• Lead 15-minute class mindfulness exercises (x2 - x3, daily)
• Supervise students in cafeteria during breakfast
• Engage in classroom instructional coaching cycles with the Dean of Instruction and/or the Dean of Student Support, as needed
• Participate in weekly Classroom Culture Lead Teacher meetings lead by the Dean of Instruction, as well as all weekly all school events
• Complete all required reporting on time. Comply with all agency policies and protocols

• Bachelor’s in education or related field required; candidate for Master’s degree preferred
• 2 years of teaching experience with children or youth, specifically in the context of a classroom, educational, and/or social-emotional program, is highly desirable
• Experience teaching English Language Learners is required
• Experience working in New York City public schools is highly desirable
• Strong classroom management skills and prior professional experience teaching and social emotional learning, highly desirable
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations, highly desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Highly organized, dependable, responsive, and collaborative work style
• Second language proficiency language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including French, Spanish, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Arabic, Mandingo, Bambara, Wolof, Fulani, Tibetan, Russian, Urdu, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Burmese and Nepali)
• Strength in cultural competency-building
• Certification or commensurate experience with Responsive Classrooms or Classroom Mindfulness, highly desirable

Position term:   June 30 –August 14, 2020

Hours:Training: June 30 & July 1, 2: Up to 24 hours of training, 9:00AM – 5:00PM

          Main Program: July 6 – August 14: Monday – Friday, 7.5 hours per day plus 1 evening of parent/teacher conferences on July 29.Expect 2 hours per week of external planning, grading, and assessment analysis.

Working Environment: RYSA takes place in a centrally located public school (TBD) in New York City. Classroom Culture Lead Teachers also lead their class of students on weekly field trips within New York City.