Program & Curriculum Coach - Young Women's Program

At the Social Justice Learning Institute, we are dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change. We train students to conduct research on problems in their community using a rigorous yearlong curriculum while providing basic academic support (i.e., tutoring, homework assistance, academic counseling, etc.) and college preparatory education.  SJLI’s youth learn what it takes to achieve academically to go to college and become civically engaged, solution-oriented, and critical participants in the democratic experience. SJLI envisions an educational system where youth become engaged citizens who discover their best talents and apply them to help improve the world they live within.

The 2023-24 school year marked the pilot of the Urban Scholars Young Women’s program.  This program has been a long-standing goal of SJLI to be able to offer a program that alters the life trajectories for young women as it has done so for the original Urban Scholars program.  For the 2024-25 school year, the Young Women’s Program will be offered at three school districts.

The Young Women’s Program is a credit-bearing class with 20-25 students, presented over two semesters.  The Program and Curriculum Coach (PCC) is responsible for facilitating the curriculum and program elements using the unit and lesson plans provided by SJLI.  SJLI will provide both the Program and Curriculum Coach and the Teacher-of-Record with professional development and training.  However, it will be the Program and Curriculum Coach who will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the program aims and objectives are met and that student participants matriculate through the lessons and participate in the program activities to the fullest extent possible.

The PCC is an essential part of the program team that implements the Young Women’s Program.  The team includes the Academic and Career Services Coordinator, the school site Teacher-of-Record, the school principal on the school campus, the school counselor; and support from SJLI’s Educational Equity Programs Director, Young Women’s Program Manager, and the National Director of Programs.  The Program is also supported by Project Sankofa, who are our program, curriculum and training consultants.

The ideal candidate for this position is someone with program experience working with young women of color in high school as a teacher, counselor, and mentor who can establish strong and trusting rapport with students.  A degree in Ethnic and Women’s Studies or related fields is desirable.  A thorough understanding of developmental theories and frameworks including but not limited to Black Feminist Thought, Intersectionality, and Cultural Community Wealth.

Position Summary

The Program & Curriculum Coach (PCC) will partner with the school site teacher-of-record, school administration and SJLI team members to implement the Young Women’s Urban Scholars program at two school sites in Antelope Valley. The program aims to:

• Increase school and student engagement among young womenof color in the course, their peers, teachers and members of the school community.
• Increase students’ capacity to attain high school graduation, submitcollege applications and/or obtain gainful employment.
• Infuse an intersectional (e.g. gender, race, class) ideology, framework, and best practices into each unit.
• Identify culturally appropriate (intersectional) systems andmechanisms for supporting Black girls.
• Conduct research with a Youth Participatory Action Research project.
• Ability to facilitate restorative and critical conversations that promote self worth and agency.

Curriculum Coach, Instruction and Training

• Provide in-class instruction
• Provide direct service and program support to students
• Monitor program and lesson pacing
• Coordinate student services with Academic and Career Services Coordinator
• Enforce established safety policies and protocols
• Manage day-to-day course-related activities.
• Prepare Young Women’s Program lesson plan slides.
• Prepare classroom materials.
• Coordinate weekly coaching sessions with each school site Teacher-of-Record.
• Attend weekly training sessions to review lesson plans in preparation for classes.

Program Coordination

• Plan, direct, and coordinate program activities, field trips, retreats, and other off-campus program activities with the Academic and Career Services Coordinator and Teacher of Record
• Coordinate guest speakers and presentations.
• Act as a liaison between the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), Urban Scholars, and partnering schools under the leadership of the Young Women’s Program Manager.
• Manage school sites and stay apprised of daily/weekly school class schedules and calendars.
• Establish, maintain, and develop cooperative working relationships with school staff and volunteers.
• Assist with facilitating, collaborating, and partnership with community members, public agencies, non- and for-profit organizations. *
• Participate in fundraising and in-kind support. *
• Attend SJLI staff and team meetings.

*  Secondary Responsibilities

Data Tracking and Evaluation

• Assist with tracking the impact of the Young Women’s Program, including facilitating student and teacher lesson surveys used for evaluation.
• Provide feedback on lessons and course pacing to program consultants and SJLI program team.
• Prepare and maintain student records in the program database system (Apricot).
• Communicate with Young Women’s Programs Manager and Consultants on program needs.
• Provide monthly program updates and reports.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of pedagogical best practices that interweave themes and curriculum outcomes with the lived experiences of young women of color.
• Experience in developing and creating lesson plans.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Has a social justice framework and is knowledgeable of the tenets of equity, with a woman-centered lens.
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to the goals, guidelines, and principles of the Social Justice Learning Institute.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Possesses a valid California Driver’s License.
• Able to obtain a live scan clearance.
• Availability to occasionally work on weeknights and weekends.
• Able to form strong relationships with a wide range of constituents, including, but not limited to, parents, students, staff and leadership.
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Experience in working with young women from the youth development perspective.
• Teaching in the Antelope Valley or similar school district that serves students of color.
• Experience in teaching andclassroom management at the high school level.
• A familiarity with community organizations in Antelope Valley.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred) in Education, Ethnic or Black Studies, Women’s Studies, psychology, social welfare, or other related fields.
• 3 – 5 years of teaching experience or in an instructional and counseling role with students.

Keywords

ProgramCurriculumCoachYoung WomenUrban ScholarsEducationSocial JusticeYouthColorResearchAcademicCollegePreparatoryProgramCoordinatorInstructionTrainingPedagogicalEquityDevelopmentCommunityWomen's StudiesBlack StudiesPsychologyTeachingClassroom Management