7th Grade High School Exploration Teacher -Summer Program

7th Grade High School Exploration Instructor - Summer 2025

Liberty LEADS is a NYC-based college access program that has served over 200 underrepresented children between 5th and 12th grade each year since 1989. Liberty LEADS was founded to empower youth by helping them attain higher education, embrace leadership engagement, and create a positive future for themselves and others. Liberty LEADS provides an alternative learning environment in which young people can experience success as learners and increase their ability and motivation to graduate from high school and seek entry into postsecondary education and/or meaningful employment. The program is guided by the principle that all children have gifts, talents, and great potential and can contribute to one another's social and academic growth.

We are looking for energetic and creative educators who enjoy working with youth during the summer and are available for in person programming.

The summer will consist of a High School Exploration course using a project-based experiential learning model. The High School Exploration teacher will design and deliver lessons that will help each student identify right fit high schools based on the students' interest and academic standing and guide each student in the preparation of their 10 top picks for HS. With this knowledge students will be prepared to begin the high school application process for the Fall of their 8th grade knowing which schools are the best fit for them.

The High School Exploration educator will deliver engaging, fun and exciting curricula to our students by utilizing the outdoors to facilitate learning and will focus on cultivating skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork. This model uses co-teaching - 2 teachers total with one in each discipline. The teachers will focus on skills necessary for a successful Fall 2025 academic year. The summer program will include planning and implementing outdoor programming including hiking, walking and other physical activities to connect the classroom with nature.

Selected applicants will be responsible for developing and implementing a 16-day, project-based curriculum. For the interview, we ask that applicants present ideas for the purpose and theme of their ideal summer experience. Programming begins June 30th 2025 and meets Mondays through Thursday for four weeks culminating with a final presentation on July 24 th. All applicants must be available for all 16 days of programming from 9 am to 330 pm. Lunch is provided and spent with the students.

Responsibilities

• Create a project-based high school prep curriculum for 7th grade that can be implemented in person. With the goal of students identifying 10 right fit high schools by July 24th.
• Be well versed in the NYC High School application process
• Include outdoor programming in curriculum planning.
• Manage classroom using positive behavior management strategies
• Meet regularly with the Liberty LEADS Program Coordinator for supervision and debriefing
• Accompany students up and down stairs, on field trips (that may include but not limited to walks, hikes, parks)

Qualifications

• Must possess a Bachelor or Master degree in education, preferably with a concentration in guidance counseling.
• NYS Teacher Certification in Guidance Counseling or professional proficiency in content area needed
• Knowledge and understanding of the NYCPS public school high school admission process needed
• Experience teaching middle school youth using project-based learning
• Co-teaching experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the NYCPS academic standards (Common Core/New Generation Standards)

Requirements

• Attend mandatory curriculum planning session(s) with co teachers and advisors (dates tbd)
• Attend mandatory June 2025 Orientation
• Physical Requirements: Walking up and down stairs up to and including the nine flights to the gym
• Supervising and participating in outdoor activities such as traveling up to 20 city blocks not using public transport, hiking and other activities as named.

Please forward cover letter and resume to: Ana Lisa Tiburcio, Director (atiburcio@bankstreet.edu) and Marisol Saks, Assistant Director (msaks@bankstreet.edu)