TAF@Saghalie Student Support Specialist

SUMMARY

Every student is capable of achieving academic success, yet the public education system was not designed to meet students of color where they dream — instead they marginalize them and underestimate their abilities. TAF partners with school districts, educators, and organizations to challenge the current public education system. We address the entire public education system, from top-to-bottom, providing STEM skills and equitable, anti-racist education environments where all students can succeed and by working with emerging and established education leaders of color to improve representation at every level.

We:

• Co-manage two public STEM schools where we provide industry-relevant and equitable curriculum and experiences
• Partner with existing public schools and coach students and staff using our successful STEMbyTAF learning model
• Empower early-career educators and established school leaders of color through educational equity and liberation pedagogy

The TAF Leadership and Enrichment Coordinator reports directly to the Director of TAF@Saghalie and plays an integral role within the school by serving as a key driver in stakeholder engagement at TAF@Saghalie. There are three key priority areas that the Coordinator will support: Student Engagement, Community Engagement, and Family Engagement.

Additionally, the Leadership and Enrichment Coordinator works with Program Managers at TAF@Saghalie to identify and execute STEM related field trips, career connected learning, college campus tours and other out of classroom learning experiences throughout the school year. The Director of TAF@Saghalie will evaluate the performance of the TAF@Saghalie Leadership and Enrichment Coordinator on an annual basis. The Leadership and Enrichment Coordinator is responsible for brainstorming, coordinating, and facilitating several programs throughout the year, often running concurrently. These include, but are not limited to 6th Grade Summer JumpStart (a month-long, full-day Summer camp for incoming 6th graders), WEB (Where Everyone Belongs, 7th and 8th grade leadership program for supporting 6th graders throughout the year), Student Ambassadors, feeder elementary school visits, Family Digital Literacy, and MLK Month of Service (planning and coordinating differentiated activities for all grade levels).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Engagement

• Identify and implement opportunities and partnerships to enhance student learning
• Develop and strengthen the student leadership of TAF@SGH, enroll students to participate as Ambassadors and/or WEB Leaders, identify leadership opportunities for them, and provide personal & academic workshops. Train students to lead tours, speak to guests and volunteers, take on speaking roles in assemblies, and plan events, service projects, and other activities. Collaborate with teachers to plan and provide field trips related to curriculum and service projects. Develop an ASB program at the school.
• TAF Luncheon student support – Collaborate with STEM Integration Coach to identify and select students and student projects to present at annual Varsity Luncheon. Provide after-school workspace and support (via Student Support Specialists) to finalize all projects and practice presentations. Secure transportation to and from venue, oversee appropriate field trip logistics with building leadership.
• Collaborate with STEM Integration coach to provide after school support for student projects, manage project progress and communicate progress to teachers and TAF staff.
• Collaborate with 6th Grade Counselor to visit fifth grade classrooms at feeder elementary schools, providing information about TAF@Saghalie and generating excitement for their Middle School transition.
• Recruit rising 6th graders to Summer JumpStart; coordinate planning sessions with teachers, provide administrative support during the program, identify partnerships to provide hands-on experiences for students.

Community Engagement

• Build relationships with the three feeder elementary schools in the FWPS STEM region, communicate with TAF Instructional Coach for FWPS Transformation, attend feeder school events, extend invitations to attend TAF@SGH events, initiate parent outreach
• Attend community fairs and local events, staff TAF tables, speak to the work of TAF and TAF@SGH, build partnerships
• Maintain existing relationships with different community partners to call upon for programs like Family Digital Literacy, JumpStart, MLK Month of Service, etc.

Family Engagement

• Partner with community partners to provide family resources, assist in hosting family events, engage parents and families in school events, promote programs.
• In partnership with the administrative office, communicate Exhibition information to families, create flyers, assist in increasing family attendance.
• Collaborate with 6th Grade Counselor and elementary school Counselors to plan parent nights at our feeder elementary schools, providing information about TAF@Saghalie, our learning model, and more.

Racial Equity

• Openness to participate in Racial Equity to recognize personal bias and improve performance through a racial equity lens.
• Must embrace the mission of TAF and our goal of running an equitable organization.
• Willingness to lead or be part of the team in an equitable, anti-racist manor .
• Ability to represent the needs of students of color.
• Exhibiting cultural and racial sensitivity and self-awareness.
• Develop and cultivate a sense of belonging among team members at TAF.
• The capacity to create an environment that embraces a diversity of views and takes advantage of such collective knowledge to benefit the organization.

Lifelong Learner

• Consistently seek new experiences and opportunities for learning
• Regularly practice deep reflection, both verbally and in written form

QUALIFICATIONS

• A self-starter with organizational and time-management skills
• Experience in underserved schools and communities
• Possess strong interpersonal skills; having the ability to build positive relationships and maintain a good rapport with individuals and families.
• Developing written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences
• Actively source and engage with a variety of stakeholders aligned to the project.
• Ability to collaborate with team members and external colleagues
• Ability to face new challenges and adapt to changes
• Ability and willingness to innovate independently and try things out
• Strong ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently and navigate a quickly changing work environment
• Familiarity working in diverse and multi-cultural and bilingual environments
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills
• Ability to represent underserved children of color for higher education and professional success
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver’s license
• Openness to participate in Racial Equity to recognize personal bias and improve performance through a racial equity lens

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or applicable experience
• Familiarity working in diverse and multi-cultural and bilingual environments in underserved schools and communities
• Fluency in languages other than English is a plus
• Ability to learn new productivity tools quickly
• Moderate to high proficiency in Microsoft Suite and digital content tools
• Fluency in languages other than English is a plus