Classroom Culture Lead Teacher (CCLT)

Job Posting Organization:
The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) is a program designed to assist newly arrived refugee youth in adapting to the New York City public school system. The program spans six weeks and accommodates up to 130 students aged 5 to 21 from over 20 different countries. The NYSA aims to provide these students with the necessary academic, creative arts, and physical education skills to succeed at their respective grade levels. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for refugee youth, ensuring they receive the educational and emotional support needed to thrive in a new cultural context.

Job Overview:
The Classroom Culture Lead Teacher (CCLT) plays a pivotal role in the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy by leading classroom culture, rituals, and routines. This position involves working closely with middle school and high school students, providing them with support and continuity throughout the program. CCLTs are expected to act as a hybrid of a homeroom teacher and a guidance counselor, responsible for planning and leading daily mindfulness sessions at the beginning and end of each day. They will also lead their class on field trips every Friday. From Monday to Thursday, CCLTs will teach, provide student support both in and out of the classroom, and monitor students during lunch. The role requires effective behavior management in alignment with the Academy's philosophy and guidelines, as well as monitoring student well-being and progress. CCLTs will guide classroom Peer Mentors and ensure consistent communication among Academic Lead Teachers, Peer Mentors, Administration, and students' families. They will also observe, assess, and record students' individual progress in both academic and social-emotional areas, requiring a holistic understanding of each student and the ability to gather input from other staff members to assess individual growth and needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Classroom Culture Lead Teacher include participating in mandatory school programming, engaging in collaborative planning sessions, and attending all staff training and program meetings. They will plan and lead whole-group culture, social-emotional learning (SEL), and relationship-building mini-lessons, as well as lessons related to the NYSA theme, standards, and curricula. CCLTs will support students' social-emotional development through individual and small-group counseling, identify and address student needs related to behavior, attendance, mental health, or social challenges, and refer students to outside services when appropriate. They will collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to create strategies that support student success, maintain accurate documentation of interventions and observations, and implement individualized student support plans. CCLTs will participate in multidisciplinary teams to coordinate wraparound services, serve as a focal point for peer mentors in the classroom, and assist with communications with parents about student progress. They will complete pre- and post-School Readiness observational assessments for each student, lead classroom climate in accordance with Academy philosophy, supervise students during field trips, manage dismissal protocols, and engage in instructional coaching cycles. Additionally, they will complete an All Staff Survey to provide feedback on the NYSA and comply with all IRC policies and protocols.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Classroom Culture Lead Teacher position should possess a Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field, with a preference for those who are candidates for a Master's degree in a related field. A minimum of 2 years of classroom teaching experience is required, along with experience in social work, case management, school psychology, or guidance counseling. Experience teaching English Language Learners or multilingual learners is strongly desired, as is familiarity with curriculum creation. Candidates should have a strong relationship-building and classroom management skill set, and experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly valued. The ability to work independently and as part of a team, along with being highly organized, dependable, responsive, and collaborative, is essential. Proficiency in a second language relevant to the student population is highly desirable, with languages such as Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Fulani, Haitian Creole, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian being particularly beneficial. Candidates should also demonstrate strength in cultural humility-building.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Classroom Culture Lead Teacher position includes a Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field, with a preference for candidates who are pursuing or have completed a Master's degree in a relevant area. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of teaching and supporting refugee youth in an academic setting.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of classroom teaching experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have experience working in social work, case management, school psychology, or guidance counseling. Experience specifically with English Language Learners or multilingual learners is highly desired, as well as familiarity with curriculum creation and teaching in New York City public schools. Candidates should also have experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations, which is crucial for understanding the unique challenges faced by these students.

Languages:
Proficiency in a second language relevant to the student population is highly desirable. Languages such as Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Fulani, Haitian Creole, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian are particularly beneficial for candidates, as they can enhance communication and support for students from diverse backgrounds.

Additional Notes:
The Classroom Culture Lead Teacher position is based in New York City, and all applicants must be willing to relocate to the area for the duration of the Academy. The position is represented by the OPEIU union and is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. Compensation for this role is set at a pay range of $27.50 per hour, with the exact offer calibrated based on work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements. The organization is committed to equal opportunity employment and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Additionally, all International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct, which emphasize integrity, service, equality, and accountability.