Lead Mentor Teacher, NYC Institute

Position: Lead Mentor Teacher, NYC Institute 
Location: New York , NY
Type: Part Time, Seasonal
Commitment: 17 Weeks 

• April 1 – June 25: Less than 10 hours/week
• June 26 – August 16: Full Time

Position Summary

At Relay Graduate School of Education, teachers learn the most reliable techniques from master educators, applying their lessons during frequent, deliberate opportunities for practice. We are answering the call to prepare teachers for entry into the classroom by applying these research-based best practices during the summer prior to their first year of teaching.  Furthermore, we are committed to designing a cohesive learning experience throughout our 2 year MAT program for Teach for America Corps members.  Relay GSE is reimagining a summer training institute that ensures novice teachers learn the highest leverage techniques to create productive classroom environments and instruct rigorous content.   The NYC Institute is dedicated to preparing the next generation of teachers for the diverse education landscape of the most populous and influential city in our country.  Our teachers develop the skills and mindsets needed to impact student growth and achievement through extensive deliberate practice, content knowledge development, and a sense of connection to community and colleagues. Upon completion of the seven week NYC Institute, teachers emerge ready to learn and willing to engage in the wonderful challenges that education affords those who commit to the honorable profession.  We support, inspire, and challenge one another to know our students, cultivate community, challenge inequity, and engage with rigorous and relevant content

As a part of this model, we seek to hire an outstanding team of Lead Mentor Teachers (LMTs). An LMT’s primary purpose is to use their deep content knowledge to ensure that CMs and Coaches are teaching rigorous and relevant content in their summer school classrooms and ensure the learning corps members (CMs) experience with Relay faculty and Mentor Teachers (MTs) translates into classroom practice. Together, they will train and develop corps members in the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to become teachers who lead students to meaningful outcomes in academic and personal growth. 

Relay Graduate School of Education seeks qualified individuals to serve as Lead Mentor Teachers in all content areas and grade levels. 

Scope of Role

Each Lead Mentor Teacher works closely with a cohort of 3-4 Mentor Teachers focusing on one content area. This role has a significant impact on their development as teachers and plays an important role in the achievement of their students.  LMTs coach MTs to become highly effective in developing corps members (CMs).  They also lead daily small group content-specific lesson study with the goal of engaging CMs in robust content knowledge development and practice.

Responsibilities

• Ensure students in corps member classrooms are getting a supportive, high-quality summer school experience by developing the coaches and teachers who are teaching them
• Work directly with a group of 3-4 Mentor Teacher Coaches
• Observe coaches providing feedback and in-classroom coaching and provide content-specific feedback to coaches to help them develop their coaching skillsetLead Corps Member practice sessions, lesson plan demonstrations, and lesson plan rehearsal sessions
• Use their deep content knowledge to ensure that CMs and Coaches are teaching rigorous and relevant content in their summer school classrooms
• Collaborate with members of the school team and staff, particularly Relay faculty at the institute to make data-driven decisions on how to best meet student and corps member needs
• Ability to work evening hours and some weekend hours is required

Participation in spring conference calls, training days, and completion of related pre-work are also required

• Ability to travel and participate during all components of institute is required for all staff members. This includes:
• Spring Training: From March 2017 – June 2017, ability to attend a once-a-month training conference, participate in conference calls and check-ins, and complete related independent preparation.
• Summer Institute: From June 26, 2017 – August 16, 2017, ability to work some evening and weekend hours. 

Candidate Profile and Experience Prerequisites

Skills and knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to connect with adult learners quickly and build strong working relationships across lines of difference as well as ability to develop a strong group culture
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong understanding of and experience with the Common Core State Standards
• Strong knowledge and understanding of instructional practice in their content area
• Orientation to & experience with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
• Effective verbal communication skills
• Entrepreneurial thinking, ability to make adjustments and evolve with the pilot
• Ability to influence and motivate adult leaders
• Maintain positive outlook, flexibility, and sense of possibility in stressful situations

An orientation towards social justice and ability to consider power & privilege as relates to the content

Approach to Work

• Excited about being a coach or resource for others
• Enjoys applying energies to developing others
• Enjoys being part of a team
• Ability to navigate ambiguity with openness and scrappiness!
• Deep commitment to Relay GSE’s mission and Institute’s commitments to getting know students, engaging students in relevant and rigorous content, creating community and challenging Inequity 

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of 4 years teaching experience within a content area in a high-needs classroom environment
• Have a proven track record of leading students to increased achievement in the classroom 
• Desire to learn and pilot a research-based coaching model to quickly develop novice teachers and the desire to coach coaches on how to best implement that coaching model
• A minimum of 2 consistent years’ experience working with new teachers in professional development settings, including observing other teachers and giving feedback and facilitating group discussions required
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment
• A demonstrated passion for urban education and closing the opportunity gap
• Authorized to work in the United States 

Benefits and Salary

• Lead Mentor Teacher salaries are competitive
• Visiting staff members will be provided with room, board, and some travel and shipping costs

Relay Graduate School of Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.