The Opportunity

Next Generation Scholars believes equal access to higher education is the key to making positive change within our community. Our mission is to level the playing field by providing dedicated underserved students with all the advantages available to those of privilege. Our students are highly motivated and academically inclined young scholars and who are looking for a challenge.

Currently, we’re looking for an educator who can push the envelope. We believe students are able to engage with the most challenging social justice issues of today if provided the proper framework. In our academic year classes, our middle school teachers have tackled everything from John Steinbeck’s ‘The Pearl’ and the treatment of migrant labor to graphic novels like ‘American Born Chinese.’ Our teachers have also led our middle school students in hand-on work in our community garden and in discussions of sustainable farming and access to healthy food in low-income communities. We want a Dean of Middle School Programs who can break down complex issues like these in ways that are both developmentally appropriate and challenging and help our students learn to navigate the world we all share.

The Dean of Middle School Programs will teach 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, lead an independent high school application class, and coordinate with our Case Manager to ensure students are supported socially/emotionally and have access to all basic needs. Teachers are challenged to create and deliver curriculum that is hands-on, relevant and engaging and prepare students to enter high school ready for AP and honors coursework. We want a Dean with a deep foundation in curriculum-building and pedagogy, who can design and implement a middle school curriculum that will enable all students to achieve mastery in the given subject area as well as key critical/integrative thinking and analysis skills.

Position Summary

Provide the vision, organization, and follow-up to lead and manage effectively the Middle School Scholars Program.
Teach 3 after-school classes of between12-15 students across 6th-8th grade.
Lead and support select group of low-income 8th graders applying to independent high schools.
Oversee the educational and emotional well-being of the students in the Middle School Scholars Program.
Work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Programs to promote the goals of Next Generation Scholars.
Produce quantifiable, positive outcomes for all students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job duties as related to academic excellence

Evaluate and develop the middle school academic program.
Serve as a resource for the organization in matters of middle school program management, teaching methods, and general procedures.
Communicate with middle school parents about new initiatives.
Share responsibility with the Executive Director and Director of Programs for overseeing curricular direction and for developing new programs.
Coordinate with Case Manager to oversee evaluative grades, comments, and records of the middle school students.
Analyze and interpret middle school transcripts, scores, and program data.
Support students and families applying to independent high schools with all parts of school and financial aid applications.
Negotiate directly with independent high schools and advocate on behalf of applicants.

Job duties as related to character development

Oversee programs coordinated by the Clinical Director and Case Manager concerning the Middle School Program.
Design and implement programs to promote good character and citizenship.
Counsel, advise, and discipline students in close association with classroom instructors, the Clinical Director, and the Case Manager.
Execute Community Uplift Program curriculum.

Other job duties

Create, maintain, and deliver all materials related to the Middle School Program for grants, events, and all other development projects.
Assist in the creation and production of marketing materials.
Assist in the creation and execution of all parent/community workshops.
Oversee all Middle School Program budgets and purchases.
Participate in the execution of administrative tasks associated with Next Generation Scholars general operations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Director of Programs.

Qualifications

Proven teaching, content delivery, or academic support experience in a traditional classroom or educational institution, in a nonprofit or community-based organization, or in another relevant setting.
A BA/BS from an accredited 4-year college or university.
Strong understanding of the unique developmental needs of low-income high-school-age children.
Mastery of cross-cultural practices in and out of the classroom.
Administrative experience, including collaborative work with parents and teachers.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
Proven organizational skills.
A collaborative leadership style.
Courage to make difficult and/or unpopular decisions, when needed.
Initiative working with ambiguous instructions.
Capable of building “team” morale and shared vision.
A strong work ethic and a sense of humor.
Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

How to apply

To apply:

Email Resume and Cover Letter as two separate PDF attachments to: Ellis Reid, Director of Programs, at ellis@nextgenerationscholars.org
Please include in the subject line: NGS – Middle School Dean Search
(Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.)