Director of Literacy & Academic Success (Volunteer)

Director of Literacy & Academic Success (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning | Literacy, Academic Enrichment & Student Achievement

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseLearning

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Senior Director of Education & Learning

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we believe literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning, academic achievement, self-confidence, and opportunity.

Reading opens doors.

Learning creates possibilities.

Education transforms futures.

About PromiseLearning

PromiseLearning is MAP's education, curriculum, instructional design, learning innovation, literacy, workforce readiness, and academic enrichment division.

The division develops educational experiences, learning resources, literacy initiatives, and academic support programs that help students strengthen skills, build confidence, and achieve their full potential.

PromiseLearning is committed to ensuring every child has access to meaningful and engaging learning opportunities regardless of circumstance.

Role Overview

The Director of Literacy & Academic Success serves as the leader responsible for advancing literacy development, academic enrichment, educational engagement, and student success initiatives across Mentor A Promise.

This role oversees literacy programs, reading initiatives, academic support strategies, educational resources, and learning experiences designed to help students strengthen foundational skills and achieve academic growth.

Working closely with PromiseRooted, PromiseConnects, PromisePages, PromisePrograms, and educational leaders, the Director helps ensure that MAP's educational initiatives remain engaging, evidence-informed, and responsive to student needs.

The ideal candidate is passionate about literacy, education, academic achievement, and creating opportunities for children to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

Literacy Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead MAP's literacy and academic success strategy
• Establish goals and priorities for literacy initiatives
• Strengthen organizational efforts to improve reading engagement and learning outcomes
• Promote a culture of literacy and lifelong learning
• Support continuous improvement across educational programs

Literacy Program Development

• Oversee reading, literacy, and educational enrichment initiatives
• Develop literacy-focused activities, resources, and learning experiences
• Support book-based programming and reading engagement efforts
• Promote literacy practices that foster confidence and curiosity
• Expand opportunities for youth literacy development

Academic Success Initiatives

• Support academic enrichment and student achievement programs
• Develop strategies that strengthen educational engagement
• Help students build study skills, learning habits, and academic confidence
• Identify opportunities to support school success and educational growth
• Promote evidence-informed educational practices

Curriculum & Educational Resources

• Collaborate on development of educational content and learning materials
• Support curriculum alignment across literacy initiatives
• Ensure resources are engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate
• Strengthen integration of literacy across MAP programming
• Promote high-quality learning experiences

Learning Outcomes & Evaluation

• Monitor literacy and academic success initiatives
• Collect feedback and identify opportunities for improvement
• Support evidence-informed program development
• Collaborate with PromiseMeasure to assess educational outcomes
• Promote continuous learning and innovation

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with PromisePages on literacy and reading initiatives
• Support PromiseRooted and PromiseConnects educational programming
• Collaborate with PromisePrograms on student engagement strategies
• Work with educational leaders to strengthen learning opportunities
• Align literacy initiatives with organizational goals

Leadership Responsibilities

The Director provides leadership and oversight for:

Literacy Development

Responsible for:

• Reading initiatives
• Literacy engagement
• Literacy resources
• Reading culture

Academic Success

Responsible for:

• Academic enrichment
• Student achievement
• Learning support
• Educational engagement

Educational Resources

Responsible for:

• Learning materials
• Literacy curriculum
• Educational content
• Resource development

Program Quality

Responsible for:

• Educational standards
• Learning outcomes
• Continuous improvement
• Student-centered learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in education, literacy, reading instruction, curriculum development, academic support, youth development, or related fields
• Strong understanding of literacy development and educational best practices
• Experience designing or leading educational initiatives
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Passion for literacy, education, and youth success

Why This Role Matters

A child's future can be shaped by a single book.

A stronger reader becomes a stronger learner.

A stronger learner gains greater opportunity.

The Director of Literacy & Academic Success helps ensure that children participating in MAP programs develop the literacy skills, confidence, and academic foundation needed to pursue their goals and unlock their full potential.

This role helps create pathways to learning, achievement, and lifelong success.

Success Measures

• Growth and engagement in literacy initiatives
• Student participation and educational engagement
• Quality of literacy and academic enrichment programs
• Development of educational resources and learning opportunities
• Advancement of literacy-focused organizational goals
• Continuous improvement of learning outcomes

Leadership Participation

The Director of Literacy & Academic Success is expected to:

• Attend divisional leadership meetings
• Conduct regular check-ins with direct reports
• Participate in educational planning and strategy discussions
• Support cross-divisional collaboration and organizational priorities

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and mission-driven culture

What You'll Gain

• Leadership experience within a growing education-focused nonprofit organization
• Opportunity to shape literacy and academic success initiatives
• Collaboration with educators, curriculum leaders, and nonprofit professionals
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter.

Please highlight experience involving education, literacy, curriculum development, reading instruction, youth development, academic support, or related disciplines.

Help create learning opportunities that strengthen literacy, inspire confidence, and expand possibilities for children and families through Mentor A Promise.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.