NYSA Lead Teacher - High School

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.

Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.

S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions.

If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background :

The International Rescue Committee is New Jersey's largest refugee resettlement organization, serving over 2000 refugees and immigrants each year with resettlement, economic empowerment, education and learning and immigration legal services.

The IRC in NJ's youth program started in 2012 and works in collaboration with schools and families to overcome barriers and promote the academic and social success of refugee students.

The trauma of being forced from their homes, prolonged separation from loved ones, displacement, language barriers and poor or lapsed education compounds the academic challenges faced by refugee youth.

IRC currently works with over 245+ refugee and humanitarian parolee students enrolled in nearly 20 school districts.

Scope of Work :

In July & August 2024, the IRC in New Jersey will host a four-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in northern New Jersey.

The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) will serve up to 130 students ages 5 - 20, in ten classes, from at least 10 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, and recreational activities.

Field trips will be held once per week. The Lead Teacher will lead the classroom instructional team to reinforce English language learning with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.

IRC seeks (2-3) High School Lead Teachers to supervise a self-contained classroom, teaching English literacy and ESL concepts through various subjects and collaborating with volunteer facilitators on specialized recreational activities.

Each Lead Teacher is expected to collaborate with Teacher Assistants and Peer Mentors as they implement a culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students.

Given the varied English levels and formal education experiences of the student body, the Lead Teacher must be flexible and comfortable with using various instructional methods for teaching Newcomer Multilingual Learners.

Lead Teachers will be supported by the Education Coordinator with regular check-ins and support hours to best meet the ever-changing needs of students.

Lead Teachers will provide valuable student feedback on student growth in multiple areas, including English language acquisition, socio-emotional well-being, and overall school readiness to contribute to the NYSA 2024 Report.

Throughout their classroom activities, Lead Teachers will be expected to contribute to the program's goals of fostering students' adjustment to school culture and preparedness for the upcoming school year.

Anticipated Position Term : July 15 - August 17, 2023

Major Responsibilities :

Implement culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students

Differentiate instruction to ensure positive learning experiences for students with interrupted formal education and students with varied language proficiency

Co-plan adaptive curriculum and daily lesson plans in collaboration with their Teacher Assistant

Collaborate with classroom teacher assistants to integrate activities and practices that support students' social-emotional learning and well-being in addition to student's academic development

Comply with all agency policies and protocols, including providing feedback on training and program-wide evaluation

Supervise classroom staff

Ensure classroom environment is welcoming, nurturing, and supportive to refugee students and promotes trust and self-esteem building

Collaborate with activity facilitators (yoga, music, art, sports) to ensure English language acquisition is promoted throughout all program activities

Engage in daily all-staff debriefings

Assist with daily operations including student arrival and dismissal, lunchtime setup / clean up, and Friday field trips

Participate in staff and volunteer training the week of, including curriculum development and overview of IRC's Social and Emotional Asset Development (SEAD) Curriculum (addressing social and emotional needs of refugee youth)

Provide feedback on student growth and complete student evaluation forms

Key Working Relationships :

Position Reports to : EducationCoordinator

Position directly supervises : Teacher Assistant and Peer Mentor

Indirect Reporting : Youth Program Coordinator, Youth Programs Specialist

Other Internal and / or external contacts : Volunteer Activity Facilitators (Yoga, Art, Sports, Music)

Requirements : Education :

Education :

Teaching certification in New Jersey or another state

ESL certification, strongly preferred

Work Experience :

A minimum of three years teaching required

Experience working with refugee and / or immigrant populations preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies :

Proven success planning and delivering creative and engaging curricula for classes of diverse beginner to intermediate Newcomer Multilingual Learners

Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience desirable

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Language Skills :

Second language proficiency language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Haitian Creole).

Working Environment :

Monday-Friday, the program will be held on-siteat a university contracted space (previously Kean University).

Necessary travel to field trips on Fridays

Compensation : Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.

Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality : IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer : We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.

LI-Onsite

Standard of Professional Conduct : The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct.

These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion : The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting.

We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.