School-Based Fellow

Posted by Steppingstone Scholars Inc. Philadelphia on July 30, 2019

Steppingstone Scholars works with families and school partners to provide rigorous educational programming and support for talented underserved students in the Philadelphia region to achieve academic success, opportunity, and a college degree. Steppingstone has two major program initiatives: The Steppingstone Academy (TSA), a selective city-wide academic program, and the Middle Grades Academy (MGA), Steppingstone’s investment in neighborhood public K-8 schools in North and West Philadelphia.

In North Philadelphia, Steppingstone works closely with Temple University’s College of Education (COE) and three K-8 public neighborhood schools: Dunbar School, Duckrey School, and Bethune School. In West Philadelphia, Steppingstone works with McMichael School. All together, these partnerships form a College Pipeline Collaborative (CPC). The CPC brings together the academic expertise of COE faculty and student/staff resources with Steppingstone’s mission focus and expertise in implementing college pipeline programming to bring tangible and impactful resources to students and schools.

Job Description: The school-based Fellow will report to Steppingstone Academic Coordinator and work in partnership with the school-based STEAM Coordinator and Scholars Teaching Assistants to deliver rigorous and engaging math enrichment programming in our Middle Grades Academy. The Fellow will also coordinate High School support, including help with applications, essay writing, interview preparation and possible school visits, and support in the afterschool program. Steppingstone Scholars runs program at four schools: Duckrey Elementary, Dunbar Elementary, McMichael Elementary and Bethune Elementary; fellows will work at one, maximum two schools.

Background/ Experience:
● Passionate about making a difference in the academic outcomes of underserved students
● Punctual, present, and responsible
● Maintains open and consistent communication
● Demonstrate organizational and technology skills
● Ability to work and contribute to a team
● Ability to seek resources and solutions to effectively solve problems
● Receptiveness to feedback and a desire to continuously improve
● Dedicated to providing a safe, academically enriching, and engaging experience for students
● A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement
● A belief that all students should be held to high academic standards
● Experience working with underserved youth and/or tutoring experience preferred
● Understanding of High School application process preferred but not required
● Undergraduate major in Education or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fields preferred but not required
● Enrolled in a current Graduate School of Education program at Temple or Drexel Universities preferred but not required

Time Commitment/ Schedule :
● The Scholars Program is held twice a week for 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students for forty-five minutes. Each grade has a cohort of approximately 10-15 students. The Scholars Program Fellow will teach one or two grades, two-four times a week during the school day and support in the afterschool program (2:45 – 5:15) a minimum of two days a week.
● Participate in one weekly planning meeting– times are determined based on school-based Fellow and school’s schedule
● Classes typically run from mid-September to the beginning/middle of May, depending on
Fellow schedules
● Professional Development takes place in August (first week of Temple’s classes) as well as throughout the year
● Ongoing communication via email and phone/text with Academic Coordinator and other program staff as necessary
● We are seeking candidates interested in working in the program for more than one school year ; long-term teacher participation strengthens the program and allows for strong relationships with students

Responsibilities:
Scholar Program Fellows will be required to:
● Lesson Planning & Teaching:
o Plan and effectively execute rigorous developmentally-appropriate, 60 minute lessons on 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th grade pre Algebra PA standards for a cohort of 10-15 students
o Utilize classroom management strategies during lesson
o All lessons should include a PSSA prep component
o Attend one planning meeting per week
o Incorporate feedback into lessons

● Data Collection and Dissemination:
o Collect and respond to data throughout the lesson
o Grade and enter daily exit tickets within 24 hours; grade and enter unit assessments within one week
o Provide opportunities for students to reflect on exit tickets and assessments
o Plan responsive lessons as needed
o Send home report cards at the end of every unit (email or print out)
o Complete College Success Rubric for each Scholar twice a yea

● Afterschool:
○ Coordinate administrative work such as attendance, snack distribution, parent letters, etc.
○ Plan and lead STEAM clubs
○ Mentor small group of students and/or staff

● High School Choice:
o Host high school choice and application seminars and coordinate high school visits for 8th grade students
o Assist with high school applications, including essay writing and interview preparation
o Hold one-on-one meetings with Scholars and their families once a year (4th – 6th), and twice a year (7th); meetings should include overview of high school selection process, student progress, identifying possible schools, etc.
● Parent Contact: Form and maintain relationships with students’ families, including phone calls, texts, emails and conferences; record contacts in call log
● Teamwork: Collaborate with other Steppingstone staff and school staff to complete above responsibilities; participate in planning meetings and staff meetings in the spirit of continuous improvement
● Chaperone field trips
● Create substitute plans in the event of your absence
● Other administrative duties as needed
● Participate in formal review 2x’s/year and ongoing informal review; consistently demonstrate successful execution of responsibilities

Compensation: $15-$25 per hour, maximum 14 hours per week

To apply send a resume and cover letter to Kaitlin Suzuki, MGA Fellow, at [email protected].