Summer Program Co-Director

Summer Program Co-Director 

Summer 2021 | Location: Greater Boston*

Preferred application deadline: January 26, 2021

WPS seeks a Summer Program Co-Director to join a dynamic team and lead the research, design, and execution of WPS’s second annual College Transition Program in the summer of 2021. This role is ideal for an innovative, equity-centered leader who is excited to create a meaningful and impactful learning experience for recent high school graduates from historically marginalized backgrounds. Strong candidates will be knowledgeable of college persistence and passionate about supporting students from historically marginalized backgrounds.

ABOUT WPS AND ITS PROGRAMS

WPS is a non-profit education organization committed to honoring students and educators. We believe that teaching and learning are the most transformative of human endeavors and that this is especially true when students are invested in their own learning and have the agency and support to embark on a journey of self-actualization. 

Building on this philosophy, WPS is preparing to run its second annual College Transition Program during the summer of 2021. The College Transition Program is a six-week summer program designed to help students - many who are first in their families to attend college - successfully and confidently navigate the transition to college and beyond. Our goal is to deepen students’ academic competencies, as well as develop their social-emotional skills, executive functioning, financial literacy, and understanding of what opportunities are available in college.

The program will serve students on the WPS campus from late June to early August. Our campus is located near Boston (in Newton, MA) with access to public transportation (MBTA Green Line). If the pandemic makes it prohibitive to be on campus, the program may be held virtually.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Summer Program Co-Director, you will lead a team of instructors, peer mentors, and program staff to plan and run WPS’s Summer College Transition Program. You will bring leadership, instructional, and curriculum development expertise and a passion for learning that is student-driven, inquiry-based, and cross-disciplinary to this work. The program will be highly exploratory and push our collective thinking about what is possible in the area of teaching and learning. Summer Program Co-Directors should be open to collaboration with both staff and students to tailor the program to meet the unique needs of the cohort.

The Summer Program Co-Director will work on a part-time basis of 10 to 20 hours per week during the planning phase (beginning in March) and on a full-time basis during the summer (starting the week of June 14). You will work closely with the other Summer Program Co-Director and report directly to the Executive Director. 

Responsibilities

Plan an impactful summer experience for students and staff

• Work with the Program Co-Director to create a compelling vision for the summer aligned with WPS Learning Principles and College Transition Program Competencies
• Create and prepare systems, programming, campus facilities, operations and supporting resources while working within a set budget
• Develop learning goals and curriculum focused on navigating the college transition
• Identify and coordinate guest speakers for both career exploration and college knowledge
• Participate in the hiring, training and support of of staff who will make up the College Transition Program team and will teach and run the summer program
• Participate in the student admissions and interview process

Execute an impactful summer experience

• Manage and guide the College Transition Program team throughout the summer
• Orient to and support enrolled students and families
• Lead the implementation of academics and other programming and create a strong community culture 
• Reinforce core academic competencies with a focus on writing, public deliberation, data analysis, time management, and self-advocacy
• Support off-campus trips and co-curricular activities (if possible, given the pandemic) 
• Collaborate with instructors and WPS team to assess outcomes to inform future program design
• Host potential nominating schools and other visitors to the program as needed
• Document learnings and reflections to inform the ongoing development of the College Transition Program 

Desired Mindsets, Experience, and Qualifications

• Have experience in and commitment to working with diverse populations, including first-generation college students; possess knowledge of best practices related to first-year transitions to college for historically marginalized groups of students
• Have 5-10 years in teaching and/or curriculum development at the college or secondary school level
• Experience with educational technology that improves learning outcomes preferred
• Evidence expertise in developing student-centered academic programming that incorporates culturally responsive teaching practices and promotes critical thinking, collaborative learning, and self-reflection
• Demonstrate the ability to operationalize aspirational concepts into prioritized and organized sets of tasks
• Display intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning
• Exhibit comfort and skill engaging high school students and their families
• Exhibit strong written and oral communication skills
• Lead collaboratively and inspire mutual respect and willingness to learn from others
• Enjoy and embrace collaboration, thought-partnership, and working with highly committed colleagues in a professional learning community
• Value differing perspectives and learning from others; accept and provide feedback with grace, demonstrating openness and humility
• Exercise comfort, flexibility, and adaptivity in an environment that requires team members to take on a range of responsibilities and contribute on multiple fronts
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree in Education or a related field strongly preferred

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Co-Director will receive between $40/hour and $60/hour during the part-time planning period between March and June 13 and an equivalent salary during the period between June 14 and August 31. 

*Limited housing is available on campus. Please reach out directly for more information.

Candidates should apply using the Careers section of our website. Note: Our preferred application deadline is January 26, 2021. We do not guarantee review of applications received after this date.

WPS is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.