Literacy Specialist - New York, NY

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT US

New York Edge is the largest provider of after-school and summer camp programs in New York City public schools. Each year, academic programs—including STEM, the arts, sports and wellness, and college access—help 40,000 students develop leadership skills and succeed in school. Working parents count on our programs to provide safe and enriching environments for their children. 

SUMMARY

Extended Day Activity Instructors lead after-school programming for children and teens at New York Edge after-school program sites. The activity instructor will teach or co-lead activities in one of the following areas: STEM, visual art, performing art, literacy, student leadership and character development, sports, health and wellness, business, finance and entrepreneurship, math, media arts, journalism, botany, and urban agriculture, history. The activity instructor has a dual reporting role, supporting the curriculum and instruction department team by designing lesson plans and implementing curricula across New York Edge program sites. They will also support the program director by preparing activity materials and explaining principles, techniques, and safety procedures to student participants. The Literacy Specialist is a multi-site instructional leader who collaborates closely with a team of Site Directors to support front-line staff (Academic Enrichment Coaches and Activity Specialists) in delivering Literacy-based curricula and thematic projects.

Schedule:

Part-Time

Monday – Friday 

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm  (Days/shifts vary depending on site needs) 

This role requires you to be in person.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Build strong relationships with and among students

• Teach or co-lead daily activities 

• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.

• Participate in ongoing professional development activities 

• Prepare materials for daily activities

• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' needs and interests.

• Support the coordination of program events

• Input data and prepare reports

• Administer pre and post-assessments and evaluations for student activities 

QUALITIES WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

• Demonstrated ability to lead activities with children and teens

• Creativity

• Knowledge of state and National Literacy efforts

• Must have excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills

• Experience working with children and/or teens  

• Ability to multitask and manage workflow in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff, school personnel, parents 

• Sensitive to social-emotional needs and characteristics of students 

• Self-starter who takes initiative  

• Flexibility, reliability, and sound judgment 

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• College credits and/or degrees are highly preferred

• Experience working with children strongly preferred

• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of current educational trends in Literacy curriculum and experience successfully teaching and instructing youth.

• May be required to walk up and down stairs.

• May have to lift or move objects/materials as needed.

• Work is permitted mostly within a New York City Public School but may be required to interact with community-at-large during trips or events.

Specialists will be required to report to the school building and interact with staff, students, parents, and school administration.