Assistant Teacher, Refugee Youth Summer Academy, New York International Rescue Committee (IRC)


Assistant Teacher, 
Refugee Youth Summer Academy, 
New York 
International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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Background/IRC Summary:  Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New York City.  The Education and Learning Program provides year round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.
Job Overview/Summary: The Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) is a six-week program focusing on preparing newly arrived refugee youth to succeed at their grade level in the New York City public school system. Up to 130 students from ages 5 – 21 from over 20 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, physical education, and life skills classes. Field Trips are held on Fridays.
Assistant Teachers play an important, highly visible role in the Refugee Youth Summer Academy. Assistant Teachers work with a single class level throughout the program (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th grade or High School), providing support and continuity for their class throughout the day and week. Assistant Teachers assist Lead Teachers in delivering RYSA curricula, such as  working with small groups to deliver engaging, culturally and age appropriate lesson plans, or working with students one-on-one.
Assistant Teachers also directly support classroom and behavior management in alignment with program and classroom guidelines, and they play a critical role in ensuring consistent, timely communication among Lead Teachers, Peer Mentors, and Administration.
In addition, Assistant Teachers are responsible for observing and monitoring students’ individual progress on IRC’s School Readiness goals, including understanding the School Readiness indicators, observing gathering input from other staff to accurately assess individual students’ school readiness assets and needs, and foster School Readiness growth through implementation of IRC’s School Readiness Strategy.
Candidates should indicate the class levels they would be comfortable and interested in working with: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th or High School.
Position term:    July 5 – August 18, 2017
Hours: Full-time, 8 am – 4 pm
Major Responsibilities:
  • Participate in a June teachers meet & greet/planning session, pre-program All Staff training, and all program meetings and staff development activities, thereafter.
  • With input from IRC Staff and the lead teacher, assist in the implementation of a 6 week curriculum focusing on literacy and math skill development.
  • Complete “school readiness” observations for each student in the assigned class upon their enrollment and during the final week.
  • Coordinate classroom activities and regularly review student progress with the lead teacher, if necessary.
  • Provide classroom and behavior management support to lead teachers.
  • Tutor students individually and in small groups.
  • Provide guidance to Peer Mentors supporting youth in the classroom.
  • Participate in weekly meetings with IRC Staff and weekly all school meetings.
  • Complete all required reporting on time. Comply with all agency policies and protocols.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Youth Education Coordinator
Position directly supervises:  in classroom assistants
Indirect Reporting: Youth Programs Supervisor
Other Internal and/or external contacts: The Assistant Teacher will provide assessment data to the Education & Learning Manager.

Job Requirements:
  • Bachelors in education or related field required; Candidate for Master’s degree preferred.
  • 2 years of experience working with children or youth, specifically in the context of educational and social programs is required. Experience working in New York City public schools highly desirable.
  • Strong interest in teaching and incorporating social emotional development into education essential.
  • Experience with English Language Learners required.
  • Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations desirable.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Flexible, dependable and collaborative work style required.
  • Second language proficiency language proficiency in relevant language desirable (such as French, Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Burmese, Mandingo, Nepali)
  • Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience required.

Working Environment:  RYSA takes place in a centrally located public school (TBD).