Educational Specialist

Job Description

Organization:

The Bridge Project

Organization Type:

501(c)(3)

Job Location:

Denver Metro

Type of Job:

Full-time

Job Category:

Programs/Services

Job Description:

All kids deserve a safe welcoming place to belong. This is at the core of what The Bridge Project does.

The Bridge Project is a community outreach program of the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work that provides educational opportunities for children living in Denver’s public housing neighborhoods to facilitate graduation from high school and attend college or learn a trade. The Bridge Project emphasizes education and a holistic view of child development and serves approximately 450 children and youth through afterschool, summer and scholarship programs. 

Program activities at the Bridge Project aim to reduce educational barriers and improve academic and behavioral outcomes for children residing in four Denver public housing communities. Program components include structured curricula that seek to increase participants literacy, math and science skills. Academic tutoring, technology training, and social and emotional skill development are also offered to all Bridge Project students. 

Vision: Since our founding over 28 years ago, the Bridge Project has grown steadily serving over 450 students annually with a $1.2mm budget. We are in the business of working with partners who share our goal of giving all students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. We believe that with a community-wide effort we can improve the academic success of our children, support them in reaching their full potential and effectively address the drop-out crisis facing our community.

What we are looking for: We are looking for an educational specialist to help create this space of belonging for our children. The education specialist is responsible for literacy instruction within the education program at one Bridge Project site. This includes teaching set curricula, creating appropriate lessons and materials, assessment of participant reading levels, creation of individual literacy plans and oversight of tutors at the site in which they are assigned.

The ideal candidate will be a natural educator with excellent relationship-building and communication skills and a thoughtful persuasive personal style. Self-starters who are comfortable in a changing environment tend to be successful in this role.

What you can expect:

To be part of a dynamic team committed to continual learning and growing through understanding how we use our diversity to better serve the community.
Join an organization that has all the necessary ingredients for growth and success: a timely mission, a 29+ -year track record, over 200 committed volunteers, an excellent reputation, a committed 14-person staff, and an active 12-person advisory board.
A competitive salary and benefits package.

Areas of Responsibility

Classroom Instruction at assigned site - Teach an integrated literacy and writing program to K-5th graders during the school year and summer program, and other project-based classes as needed. This includes planning, implementing, and overseeing the educational aspect of all literacy instruction at the assigned site. Homework Help: Provide one-on-one and group setting support to K-12 participants during homework hours.

Behavioral Management: Implement Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process that include Youth Program Quality Interventions and Assessments (YPQI and YPQA).

Implementation of Curriculum and Education Materials: Work with appropriate staff on specific curricula creation/development, training and implementation. Implementation of CQI site goals into daily sessions. Complete and submit fidelity forms for data collection.

Assessment: Complete Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) for all K-5th grade participants and collect data for research purposes. Maintain fidelity and accuracy of the assessment. Track results of students participating in the program and provide information to director of programs to be used in reports to funders and donors on outcomes.

Volunteer tutoring program: Oversee the volunteer tutoring program at assigned site which includes conducting outreach to recruitment partners, leading orientations, and supporting staff members at each site with matches and onboarding of tutors. Communicate with tutors as needed to implement individualized literacy plans.

Participation in the Bridge Project staff team meetings and other duties: Attend required staff meetings and contribute to problem solving and conflict management; be prompt, thorough, and efficient. Assist with upkeep of programming space (classroom/ tutoring). Attend trainings and meetings as needed for CQI.

Requirements/Qualifications

Relationship Builder: Adept at building authentic connections with a diverse group of stakeholders including multi-aged youth, parents, community partners, and fellow team members
Cultural Humility: works to increase self-awareness of own biases and perceptions and engage in a life-long self-reflection process about how to put these aside
Problem Solver: skilled at identifying challenges and barriers and finds nimble and creative solutions independently
Resiliency: Thrives in tough situations. Has the ability to recover from setbacks and learn from failure
Bachelor’s degree in youth related field . Bachelor's in education preferred
2-3 years teaching experience
Familiar with youth developmental stages
Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to work with youth at different educational levels and adapt lesson plans as needed
Experience in Culturally Responsive Teaching
Experience working in out-of-school time programming and administering reading assessments preferredpreferred

Compensation/Benefits

A competitive salary and benefits package including medical and dental and tuition waiver at the University of Denver

How To Apply

For a more detailed job description and to submit an application, please visit our website at https://jobs.du.edu/cw/en-us/job/492828/education-specialist

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Educational Specialist