NYSA Teacher Assistant – Middle School

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 Teacher Assistant will be a key part of the classroom instructional team and will reinforce English language development with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.

IRC seeks (2-3) Middle School Teacher Assistants to co-lead a self-contained classroom, teaching English literacy and ESL concepts through various subjects. Each Teacher Assistant is expected to collaborate with their Lead Teacher and Peer Mentors as they support a culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students. Given the varied language proficiency and formal education experiences of the student body, the Teacher Assisant must have some experience using various instructional methods for teaching Newcomer Multilingual Learners or demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and implement new strategies. Teacher Assistants will be supported by the Education Coordinator with regular check-ins and support hours to best meet the ever-changing needs of students. Teacher Assistants will assist in providing valuable student feedback on student growth in multiple areas, including English language, socio-emotional well-being and overall school readiness to contribute to the NYSA 2024 Report. Throughout their classroom activities, Teacher Assistants will be expected to contribute to the program’s goals of fostering students’ adjustment to school culture and preparedness for the upcoming school year.

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 at various English language proficiency
• Co-plan adaptive curriculum and daily lesson plans in collaboration with the Lead Teacher
• Collaborate with Lead Teacher to support integrating practices that support students’ social-emotional learning and well-being in addition to student’s academic development
• Tutor students individually or in small groups
• Assist in the supervision of Peer Mentors
• Promote a welcoming, nurturing, and supportive classroom environment for newcomer students that facilitates 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)
• Assisting in providing feedback on student growth and complete student evaluation forms
• Comply with all agency policies and protocols, including providing feedback on training and program-wide evaluation

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Education Coordinator
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:

• Must be available for the all training days and the entire duration of the program. No exceptions.

Education:

• Current graduate student or recent grad, preferably in Education, International Affairs, Public Policy, or related field

Work Experience:

• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred
• Experience working with youth of diverse backgrounds preferred
• Teaching experience highly desirable

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Rapport building skills with youth and/or adults of diverse backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills
• 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-site at 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.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.