Education Specialist - Learning Through an Expanded Arts Program

Reports To:                  Program Director

Program:                      Comprehensive Afterschool Program

Location:                      MS936K - Arts Off 3rd 

FLSA Status:                Non-Exempt

Job Status:                   Part-Time. Eligible for NY Safe and Sick Leave

Pay Rate:                      $40 Per Hour

Schedule:                     Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 2:30pm-5:00pm

WHAT WE DO

At LEAP, we believe in the transformational power of the arts. We started as a grassroots movement with just four schools. Today, our teaching artists serve 20,000 kids across the city in over 150 New York City public schools. Every day, our educational arts programs inspire diverse school communities to be more engaged in learning and build critical skills. Our quality educational arts programs promote access and equity for New York City students underserved in the arts.

CULTURE STATEMENT

LEAP is a group of diverse and passionate individuals working together to prioritize youth and pursue our mission.

Our Goals

We collaborate to accomplish goals and are accountable to ourselves and others. 

We strive for excellence, reflect on results, and celebrate success. 

Our Peers

We foster relationships through intentional communication and attentive listening. 

We welcome feedback with a growth mindset and offer feedback with empathy. 

Our Space

We build trust through transparency, honesty, and humility. 

We respect and attempt to meet each other’s needs at work.

Our Community

We are inclusive and value the differences among us. 

We listen to and acknowledge the voices of those we serve. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Education Specialist’s primary purpose is the improvement of learning opportunities for students attending LEAP’s Afterschool Programs. The Educational Specialist is an on-site instructional leader who works in close collaboration with the Education Department, the Site Director/Coordinator, school leadership and LEAP Afterschool Managing Director to support front-line staff (Tutors, Group Leaders, Teaching Artists, and Activity Specialists) in the delivery of skill-based curricula and thematic projects. Their role is to support program instructional/enrichment goals by ensuring activities are structured, age-appropriate, aligned to school day instructional practices and model effective classroom management (as needed). The education specialist has the role of coach and consultant in advising the site director/coordinator, teaching artists, group leaders, and activity specialists who work within the after-school program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensures young people are experiencing Project Based Learning and Creative Youth Development best practices in every activity.
• Ensures classroom instruction aligns to daytime academic quality standards during academic and enrichment activities
• Ensures classroom instruction is closely aligned with daytime academic instruction in all core subjects
• Forge collaborations with instructional staff to ensure that curriculum and instruction meet the needs of a diverse population of learners, is aligned with Common Core State Standards, and meets contractual expectations and benchmarks
• Assist instructional staff with the planning and implementation of engaging, standards-aligned units, lessons, and projects
• Work with instructional and administrative staff to set high and measurable goals for student achievement
• Demonstrate an understanding and practice of the principles of positive youth development
• Provides oversight of curricula implementation to support school day and arts instruction
• Observes and provides feedback to activity specialists, teachers and tutors on a weekly basis providing advice and modeling lessons as needed
• Maintains an observation/feedback log documenting help provided
• Ensures activity lesson plans and projects are age-appropriate and have clear learning objectives
• Assesses the effectiveness and success of the approved curriculum and recommends changes based on student work
• Documents student progress and projects through multimedia e.g. photos from cellular phone
• Coordinates the administration and implementation of academic assessments systems
• Submits a summary report of student achievements at the end of each cycle to the Afterschool Program Director/Coordinator
• Provides at least six hours weekly of on-site professional development based on the needs of the activity specialists, teaching artists, and group leaders
• Attend all relevant meetings, trainings, workshops, outside events and organization-wide activities
• Serves as an instructional coach and mentor for front-line staff
• Plans and implements staff development as it relates to instructional strategies and classroom management

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated Experience in Project Based Learning and Creative Youth Development best practices.
• At least three years classroom experience
• Proven track record of success in the classroom
• Experience working with students differentiated learning styles
• Experience supervising school staff a plus
• If needed, must pass a pre-employment background investigation including but not limited to fingerprinting, employment history and background check

WHY YOU’LL LOVE LEAP

At LEAP, we are: 

• Committed to feedback and willing to provide clear, consistent communication
• Community oriented, and believe in a shared moral responsibility
• Believers in self-care and the wellbeing of others
• Accountable to ourselves, our team, and the organization
• Strong proponents of diversity, equity, equality, and inclusivity
• Open-minded, creative, and flexible
• Mission driven
• Collaborative
• FUN!!! 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Pre-employment screening is required for this position, including but not limited to criminal history check by the NYC Department of Education, and other regulating agencies as needed per placement. 

WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LEAP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Please note:  In accordance with organizational policy, LEAP does not sponsor individuals on O-1 visas.