idealist.org

Citizen Schools seeks a strong, diverse, talented cohort of candidates to join its National Teaching Fellowship. Citizen Schools is accepting applications for program sites in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Texas.

The National Teaching Fellowship is a unique, competitive, two-year professional and leadership development program. The Fellowship is a paid service program that offers a diverse range of experiences to people of varied backgrounds who have high potential as educators and community builders. The opportunity includes service as a team leader at a Citizen Schools’ campus, professional development in partnership with a community organization, and the opportunity to enroll in a pioneering Master's program in out-of-school learning.

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOW ROLES
YOUTH DEVELOPER - Fellows build strong relationships with their students, engage weekly with families and teachers, and serve as mentors and role-models for middle school students. They have an impact on students by helping them develop leadership and teamwork skills, and confidence; supporting their students’ belief and preparedness in college and career readiness. Fellows communicate regularly with teachers, families, and Citizen Teachers to promote middle school achievement, college and career access.

ACADEMIC COACH - Fellows help students develop skills to be more successful in the classroom. They guide students through curricula designed to increase their Math and English skills, proficiency in test-taking, note-taking and organizational skills, support homework completion, and academic skills building. Fellows build a culture of achievement with their team and in the school campus and are responsible for promoting student grade gains.

APPRENTICESHIP LEADER/SUPPORTER - Fellows support and coach Citizen Teachers -- community volunteers who share their professional skills or personal interests with students through ten-week hands-on learning projects called apprenticeships. Fellows help Citizen Teachers produce engaging lesson plans, provide academic support, manage student behavior, and support preparation for WOW!s- authentic products, performances, or presentations created by students.

INTERN – Fellows intern with Citizen Schools, a partner school, or other community organization. Through a morning partnership, Fellows build their professional skills in a nonprofit environment, bringing the resources of their cities to inner-city children and their families.

SCHOLAR – Fellows are engaged in ongoing professional development, including the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree. Fellows receive training on teaching and instruction, curriculum design, community development and mobilization, as well as on leadership, management and other professional skills. A partnership with Lesley University enables select Teaching Fellows to earn a Master’s in Education.

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOW COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Teaching Fellows receive an annual stipend of $22,800 (paid in monthly installments), plus a generous benefit package including full health care coverage, 50% dental coverage, three weeks’ vacation annually, extensive training, in addition to a transportation allowance or transit pass. Teaching Fellows will receive a $5,350 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successfully completing each year of service. Loan forbearance for qualified student loans is also available through AmeriCorps.

ABOUT CITIZEN SCHOOLS
Citizen Schools partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children across the country. We mobilize a second shift of afternoon educators, who provide academic support, leadership development, and "apprenticeships"—hands-on projects taught by volunteers from business and civic organizations. At Citizen Schools, students develop the skills, knowledge and beliefs they need to succeed in middle school, advance towards college, and become leaders in their careers and communities.

Citizen Schools’ approach is innovative, rigorous, and evidence-based. Recent research has reported that high attendance and academic success in middle school are critical indicators of high-school graduation and college completion. We work intensively with students to develop their academic and leadership skills, and forge strong partnerships with students’ families, classroom teachers, corporations, and community organizations to create a network of supportive adults in each student’s life. Citizen Schools offers an array of hands-on learning opportunities that make learning relevant, and introduces students to diverse colleges and careers through trips and projects that connect current learning with future opportunities.

Building on fourteen years of programming innovation and results, Citizen Schools is in the midst of a strategic growth plan to scale up its programs to serve almost 7,000 students. We currently operate 43 campuses in seven states (California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Texas), serving approximately 4,400 students and engaging 3,400 Citizen Teachers. Citizen Schools has been recognized as a national model program by the U.S. Department of Education, has been named a national winner of Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and has been chosen by the Skoll Foundation as a winner of the Skoll Social Entrepreneurship Award.

Citizen Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status. Citizen Schools is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act and we are committed to making special accommodations for your interview or work as a Team Leader. If specific accommodations are needed, please notify the hiring manager and we are happy to make any necessary arrangements to meet your needs.

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOW QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Successful applicants will possess a range of attributes, including:
• Knowledge of and commitment to the Citizen Schools’ mission
• Demonstrated ability to engage children in groups and a commitment to student achievement
• Academic skills – proficiency in middle school math and English
• Coaching skills and ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Desire to work with middle schools students and their families in an inner-city environment
• Ability to build relationships and influence students, colleagues, and community members
• Capacity for youth development and community building skills
• Strong professional skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, verbal and written communication, detail-orientation, time management, and organization
• Demonstrated leadership ability and interest in the out-of-school time field
• Proficiency in Spanish a plus
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Embodiment of Citizen Schools’ values: Pride, Joy, Respect, Courage, Teamwork, Perseverance, and Vision

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
The Fellowship application is available online at: http://www.citizenschools.org/fellowship/index.cfm. The admissions process is highly competitive and interested candidates are encouraged to apply by the designated deadlines. All National Teaching Fellows positions begin in Summer 2010. Please DO NOT submit more than one application. If you are interested in more than one location, you will have the opportunity to indicate this on your application.