After-School Teachers, Netter Center for Community Partnerships

Posted by University of Pennsylvania on March 6, 2017

Position Offered:
The Netter Center’s University-Assisted Community School Program at Benjamin B. Comegys Elementary School is looking to hire After-School Teachers for its after-school program. The after-school program operates Monday through Friday, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Staff work hours are from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. The program serves children in grades K through 8 (ages 5 through 12). The daily schedule consists of an after-school meal and brief recess period, an academic enrichment period focused on homework help, and an experiential education period based on project-based learning (PBL) activities.

Position Description For University Assisted Community School Comegys:
We are looking for qualified people to fill the role of After-School Teachers (ASTs) for 4th-6th grade. These teachers are teaching instructors who serve as grade-level group leaders for experiential education and academic enrichment in the after-school program. ASTs lead grade-level classrooms (ranging from 10 to 20 scholars in size), and their primary responsibility is to aid and guide the academic, social, and emotional growth of their scholars. Under the guidance of Senior Staff and program coordinators, and using a variety of curricular resources and partnerships, ASTs design and/or adapt project plans and lesson plans that both support school-day learning goals as well as explore subjects and themes that are absent in school-day learning. Lessons and activities must incorporate culturally responsive pedagogy, project-based learning (PBL) and student-centered learning strategies, and multicultural perspectives. The lessons, activities, and classroom environment should encourage and reward scholarship, creativity, teamwork, understanding, a sense of community, and respect for oneself and others.
During the academic enrichment period (3:45 pm to 4:45 pm), ASTs implement literacy and math lessons that teach the skills and subjects covered in the scholars’ homework, while also facilitating small group homework help. During the experiential education period (4:45 pm to 5:30 pm), teachers lead project-based learning activities with their class, which should focus on subjects/issues that are relevant to their scholars’ interests and everyday lives, while also attempting to expose scholars to new experiences and viewpoints.

ASTs are not only responsible for the academic development of their scholars, but also their social and behavioral development. Every AST must implement site-wide systems and procedures for their class that establish expectations and address issues regarding classroom management and behavior education. Teachers must record and communicate both positive and challenging behaviors via required forms such as: behavior reports, classroom dojo, (recording positive and negative behaviors, and identifying strategies used by the AST to address these behaviors) such as disciplinary reports (recording challenging behaviors that have not improved over time and which have been documented in previous behavior reports.

ASTs are required to maintain consistent communication both with the Senior Staff and with the families of her/his scholars in order to promote partnerships between the school, its staff, and the community it is serving, and to ensure that staff and families are working together to aid each scholar in her/his development. ASTs must provide family members that pick up their child(ren) at the end the program day a daily update of the scholars’ performance and development.

Desired Skills & Attributes:
 Passion for working with and for youth, and a commitment to developing family and community relationships/partnerships
 Understanding of the importance of out-of-school-time programming for youth and families
 Experience teaching lessons and leading activities with elementary-aged youth
 Experience working collaboratively with and/or mentoring high-school aged youth
 Experience with lesson planning and project development
 Strong leadership, classroom management, behavior education, and organizational skills
 Strong work ethic and drive to excel (personally and professionally)
 Ability to be creative, think on your feet, and make learning fun
 Ability and desire to work as a member of a team
 Ability to be culturally sensitive in one’s personal and professional approach to working with youth and families
 Eagerness to continually develop one’s skills as a teacher, leader, and role model for youth
 Understanding that working with youth often requires one to go above and beyond the call of duty
 Understanding that we are ALL scholars
 A commitment to the belief that every child can succeed

Qualifications:
 Teaching experience, preferably with at-risk urban youth
 Demonstrated experience with ethnically, socially, and culturally diverse populations
 Demonstrated teaching philosophy and methods that encourage the development of active and independent learning habits
 Demonstrated ability to develop and implement curricula collaboratively
 Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive learning environment, teach/guide/manage student behavior, and mediate/resolve conflicts

Terms of Employment:
After-School Teachers (AST) earn a competitive hourly wage at $15 an hour for 20 hours per week:
Monday – Friday- 2:00-6:00 with out-of-program hours allotted for mandatory pre-program prep periods and staff meetings, (daily from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm,) and off-site lesson and project planning. ASTs must work from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm when there is half day programming. ASTs must attend all staff trainings, including paid introductory staff orientation training.

To Apply:
Email
If you are interested in the After-School Teacher position, please respond via email to:
danmerin@sas.upenn.edu

Application Materials
Applicants must submit the following application materials (applications that do not include all requested materials will not be considered):
 Cover Letter
 Resume
 Short Essay (or Video)
o Write a short essay (or film your response) to one of the following two essay questions (250 word limit):
 In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges faced by at-risk, urban youth in their quest to get a comprehensive, quality education?
 What type of classroom do you envision? What are some of the skills that you would hope to cultivate in students?

Application Process
The application process will be highly competitive. Upon receiving candidates’ application materials, Senior Staff will contact those applicants deemed to be appropriate and worthy candidates. Interviews will be conducted as applications are submitted.