Humanities Instructor
New York, NY
Seasonal
Experienced
HUMANITIES INSTRUCTOR
Organization Mission: The Oliver Scholars Program prepares high-achieving Black and Latinx students from underserved New York City communities for success at top independent high schools and prestigious colleges. We provide crucial support for both the scholars and their families so they can realize their full potential and ultimately give back to the city, the nation, and the world.
Job Title: Humanities Instructor
Report to: Director of Academic Affairs
Department: Academic Affairs
Position Type: Seasonal part-time — Winter & Spring
FLSA: Exempt
SUMMARY: Oliver Scholars seeks a Humanities instructor to plan and implement a curriculum for eighth grade students. The instructor’s primary objective is to equip students with mindsets and practices to flourish academically at rigorous independent schools. Students should gain improved competency, skill, and habits of mind. The instructor will assist the Admissions & Placement and Academic Affairs departments to outline expected curricular outcomes and track student progress. This position reports to the Director of Academic Affairs and is an excellent opportunity to experience various aspects of scholarship and youth development with an educational nonprofit organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach in person Saturdays January to June 2025 and be available for office hours, study hall, and faculty meetings.
- Use the Oliver Scholars course description to design a high school-level Humanities curriculum— including syllabus, lesson plans, assignments, readings, and tests/quizzes.
- This course is a “history-informed” humanities course that uses Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States For Young People as a “spine” to explore a vibrant spectrum of texts––primary sources, scholarly articles, literary fiction, documentaries, songs, oral history via a non-fiction comic, and even an adventure game––produced by historians, novelists, and artists from a wide variety of Indigenous communities in the so-called United States, Canada, and Central America. The course will involve navigating topics such as colonialism, genocide, cultural survival, and current Indigenous movements of political and environmental activism. In-depth study is vital to understanding that Native history and culture are not separate but integral to our history, our present, and our future. While Native voices are centered in this course, we will also take a critical look at government policies that have had, and continue to have, the greatest impact on North American Indigenous communities.
- Attend a paid instructor orientation.
- Write detailed Interim and Final Evaluation Reports
- Team with tutors, Teaching Assistants, and Oliver Scholars leadership to instruct and support students
- Attend weekly faculty meetings
Qualifications
- A BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree preferred.
- Two or more years of teaching experience at the middle school or high school level; experienced at executive function coaching preferred
- Two or more years of experience designing curriculum.
- Knowledge of independent schools preferred.
- Outstanding speaking, writing, and editing skills.
- Deep knowledge of the principles of teaching students
- A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to Oliver’s mission and values
- A flexible, creative individual able to find alternative ways to connect with students.
- Emotionally mature with a good sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.
- A hard worker with a high energy level; a “doer” with a willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of activities.
- A good listener who is comfortable receiving feedback
Desired Competencies
- Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
- Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; willing to learn new techniques and procedures; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Innovation & Initiative - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
- Planning/Organizing & Project Management - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget.
- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
EEO
Oliver Scholars is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
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