High School Teacher (Founding) - ASU Preparatory Academy - The Levitt Lab

As part of Arizona State University’s charter to provide access and excellence, ASU Preparatory Academy (ASU Prep) shares this commitment by demonstrating all students can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of their background. To scale our current impact, ASU Prep is advancing a major expansion program taking fundamental responsibility for the communities we serve and partnerships we forge.

This Job Description for the Founding Teachers of ASU Prep Tempe - Powered by The Levitt Lab will not be your traditional teaching position. Our teachers are referred to as Guides. As a Levitt Lab Guide your time will be spent coaching students who will have responsibility for their own education. You will help them find their motivation, stay on track, and get unstuck. You will occasionally teach and support students in your content area, and you will be leading Socratic discussions or interactive Wonder Sessions. You will be helping students connect ideas and find deeper truths. Our school is a work in progress and will continually evolve along with our learners. You will be part of a small team of educators, in partnership with passionate institutions like ASU Prep, ASU, University of Chicago’s Center for RISC, and BluePrint Schools Network, making this happen. Leaders and teachers are as close to students as possible; no fleet of administrators. You and your merry band of revolutionaries will be remaking American high school education.

“We’ve reimagined what high school can be by asking one essential question: What do students really need to thrive in life, not just in school?” Steve Levitt

What is This New School?

ASU Prep Tempe - Powered by The Levitt Lab (TLL), is launching its inaugural class of 9-12 graders located in the heart of ASU’s Tempe Campus. We are looking for Teachers (Guides) to make this concept a reality.

This program will feature:

• A focus on getting students to love learning, to think critically, and to build resilience.
• Personalized, mastery-based instruction supported by technology.
• Teachers as guides, not instructors or graders.
• Socratic exploration of difficult issues confronting our society.
• Curriculum adjustments to reflect the modern world.
• A schedule that reflects modern ways of working.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered:

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s degree preferred.
• State Aligned Teaching Certificate (appropriate endorsements may be required depending on the area of instruction or have passed appropriate AEPA or NES proficiency exams), AZ State Teaching Cert, preferred.
  • Can be placed on a alternative teaching certificate path upon hire
• 3+ years of classroom experience, 6-12 teaching experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with innovation and using innovative classroom strategies.
• Experience with curriculum design, mastery-based teaching and project based learning, and implementing innovative, personalized teaching strategies.
• Active AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works collaboratively with a team of The Levitt Lab Guides to design, develop, and deliver seminar or live lesson instruction to support students in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, technology, college advising, and/or problem solving.
• Delivers a uniquely student-centered approach focusing on student motivation, unblocking academic or social-emotional hurdles, and coaching students through student-driven learning.
• Empowers students to take ownership of their learning and develop self-responsibility by facilitating goal-setting, progress asses monitoring, and self-reflection activities, while guiding them to navigate the unique opportunities and challenges of learning in a college campus environment.
• Determines instruction techniques, strategies, methods and adapts curriculum and learning styles to meet and assess student’s needs while questioning, prompting, or providing short explanations but rarely lecturing.
• Maintains open lines of communication with parents/guardians about academic and discipline issues through various mediums.
• Liaises for coordination of student recruitment and enrollment management utilizing knowledge of admissions, registration criteria, and deadlines.
• Develops and manages individualized learning plans for students in the Guide Group to maximize college course taking in high school and preparation for college and career.
• Design, construct and outline lessons, seminar, wonder sessions, and in-depth exploration materials.
• Assesses and evaluates performance and progress of students in grades, progress reports and assessing comprehension of learning objectives.
• Participates in extra-curricular activities such as New Family Orientation, information sessions, student clubs or preparations and coordination in demonstration for public demonstration of student learning.
• Contributes to professional growth of self and colleagues including sharing and planning curriculum, staying current with educational trends, and continuing professional growth to meet the state and school requirements including current teaching certificates.
• Works collaboratively to achieve the overall purposes of The Levitt Lab program.
• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Experience with project based learning and/or innovative teaching methods.
• Demonstrated skill in curating and navigating the tactical responsibilities of a startup program/school.
• Ability to articulate, represent professional demeanor and ability to take initiative.
• Command of theoretical knowledge of student behavior and learning including motivation, reinforcement, evaluation, and feedback techniques.
• A diverse expertise in content and ability to lead curriculum design.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide-range of people including teachers, parents, students, alumni, corporate partners, vendors and admissions personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, along with strong presentation skills.
• Exceptional ability to build relationships and community, to create systems that help students reach their goals, and design personalized learning experiences.
• Ability to adapt to change in the workplace; familiarity with innovative or startup programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse student populations.
• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Effective problem solver and self-motivated learner.
• Ability to use instructional adaptive technology tools in online courses.
• Proficiency in technology including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. The employee must use hands, arms and fingers to input data, handle, feel or reach. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 15 lbs. such as boxes, supplies, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

LOCATION:

ASU Tempe Campus

TRAVEL:

Occasional travel may be required for site visits, meetings, trainings and/or conferences. Locations may vary and may require overnight stays.

This job description is subject to change at any time.

PLEASE NOTE: To be considered for this position, applicants must apply directly through the ASU Preparatory Academy career page. Applications submitted to other platforms will not be reviewed.