2024 Summer Academy Middle School Teacher

Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham.

We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city. Together, we’re creating a Durham where all students succeed.

As a result of structural racism, poverty, and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first-generation college-bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We want to change the odds for children in our community.

The Work

We are hiring Middle School Teachers to provide academic enrichment and structured new experiences for middle school students at our five-week Summer Academy. At Summer Academy, we are committed to helping our students feel success and growth by providing thoughtful, intentional academic experiences, and sharing our own excitement around academic content. Summer teachers continue their work supporting students by committing to at least three hours of weekly support at Student U’s daily after-school program during the school year. Teaching at Student U is a year-long commitment.

Summer commitment (full-time):

Student U middle school teachers work full-time in the summer, creating lesson plans, teaching their own classes, and working collaboratively with other teachers to engage and inspire students. Student U teachers teach a core academic class, co-lead a small reading group, and build community within their team of 20 students and 4 teachers. Student U teachers are expected to be fully present at the Summer Academy which operates Monday – Friday approximately 8 hours daily, +1.5 hour weekly staff meeting outside of normal work hours. At times, teachers may need to work outside of Student U’s hours to update lesson plans, prepare for daily classwork and talk with parents and students.

School year commitment (part-time):

All Student U middle school teachers play a role in supporting students at Student U’s daily after-school program during the school year. There are several options for the Student U commitment during the school year, ranging from 3-20 hours/week, depending on schedule, experience, and desired commitment. Summer teachers can be Advocates leading our after-school program (20 hours/week), Academic Coaches for a small group of students (6 hours/week), tutors at our after-school program (at least 3 hours/week), administrative support during non-after-school hours (at least 3 hours/week), or lead a club for a small group of students(1 hour/week).

Teachers are compensated for their prep work in the spring, all Summer Academy hours, and the role they play at our after-school program during the school year.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Student U Middle School Staff Member!

Core Subjects (ELA, Global Connect, Math, and Science): All core subject classes implement a curriculum designed specifically for Student U’s Summer Academy by a team of experienced educators within the Durham Community. Core subject teachers will be responsible for creating the teaching tools that will accompany each lesson (powerpoints and handouts for each day), teaching the curriculum developed for their course, and evaluating student growth using the pre and post assessments created for each course. Attached is an overview of the curriculum implemented in each content area at Summer Academy.

*In addition to teaching a core subject, each teacher will be asked to teach an afternoon elective.

Electives: Each teacher will teach a self-developed 2 week elective course to our rising 6th-8th grade students. Teachers will be responsible for developing their elective lesson plans in the spring, creating the teaching tools/resources that will accompany each lesson, teaching, and evaluating the students.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend all pre-summer training events
• Attend Teacher & Student Orientation
• Teach one core academic class implementing Student U’s Core Curriculum to students in your grade
• Create and uphold Student U culture with a “Family” of 20 students and 4 teachers
  • Bring energy and enthusiasm to your classroom and family activities each day
  • Collaborate regularly as a team of teachers to support your students
  • Uphold Student U’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions with staff and students
• Co-lead a small reading group with another Student U teacher
• Attend weekly faculty (Tuesdays, 4-5:30 pm) and department meetings (during Student U hours)
• Attend weekly Professional Development (during Student U hours)
• Chaperone local community field trips with your grade
• Act as a representative of Student U’s programming, culture, and values both at Student U and in the community

Requirements

REQUIRED PROGRAM DATES

April 13th, 2024 Staff Launch & Training, 9:00am - 1:00pm (in person)

June 10th - June 21st, 2024 Teacher Orientation, 8am - 4pm (in person)

June 15th, 2024 Family Day, 10:00am - 12:00pm (in person)

June 19th, 2024 Student U is Closed No programming (observing Juneteenth Holiday)

June 24th - July 26th, 2024 Summer Program (in person), approximately 9 hours daily, +1 hour weekly staff meeting on Tuesdays.

July 29th - July 31st, 2024 Evaluation Week, 8:00am - 4:00pm (in person)

The Commitment (Our Ideal Candidates)

We are committed to hiring and developing a staff that honors and reflects the diversity of our community.

Our ideal summer academy staff:

• believe all students can achieve greatness.
• are committed to helping our students grow both academically and socially/emotionally into what we know they are capable of.
• are committed to learning, growing and reflecting together to ensure our students are gaining academic skills.
• are committed to uncovering the brilliance of our students.
• are committed to the city of Durham.
• view the time spent with students 6th-10th grade during Summer Academy as an important part of their growth professionally.
• use Student U as an opportunity to develop skills they will later use in their own classrooms or in their area of expertise.

To learn more about the beliefs that guide our work, please explore our mission and values, found on our website here.

Benefits

Compensation:

$18 hourly rate for non-licensed teachers. $22 hourly rate for licensed teachers and certified instructors who have experience working with young people.

Anti-Discrimination Policy & Commitment to Equity & Child Safeguarding Policy

• Student U is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within our organization where people from various backgrounds can participate fully and equitably, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to our mission.
• Student U has a commitment to ensuring the safety of our students. All staff will participate in a mental health training for young people, safety training, and Restorative Practices training during orientation.

Preferred Deadline: Preference is given to applications submitted by Friday, January 5th, 2024

First Round of Interviews: Monday, January 22nd, 2024- Friday, February 2nd, 2024

Final Deadline: Friday, February 2nd, 2024

Second Round of Interviews: Monday, February 19th, 2024 - Friday, February 23rd, 2024

Ideal Start Date: March 2023

Do you have questions about the job or your qualifications to teach with us? Questions about the application? Please contact Casey Barr-Rios at [email protected] and she will direct you to the necessary person to best support you.