Groundwork Inc.
Groundwork Reading Specialist (certified teacher)

POSITION: Reading Specialist, Groundwork for Youth After-School Academy. POSITION DATES: Pre-service training starts week of October 14. After-School Program starts on October 21 and continues through May 2003, following NYC Public School calendar. POSITION HOURS: Program operates Mon-Thurs from 3pm to 6pm. Reading Specialist will primarily work on-site at school location. SALARY: $25/hour, maximum 12 hrs/week.

SUMMARY: Groundwork, Inc. is a new nonprofit organization that helps young people in urban neighborhoods discover and develop their strengths, skills, and talents through high quality experiential learning and work programs. Groundwork for Youth, an academic and social enrichment program for children ages 7 to 13 living in public housing developments, launched in June 2002 in the neighborhood of East New York, Brooklyn. The Groundwork for Youth Summer Academy operated a full day, 7-week summer school for 90 students that combined daily reading and writing instruction with arts projects, athletics, field trips, overnight camping trips, and a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. The After-School Academy will enroll 100 students, many continuing from the summer program.

Groundwork's after-school reading program will use pre-developed curricula (KidzLit and similar programs) to work with students who need remedial reading instruction as well as students who are at or above grade level. The goals of the Groundwork's reading program are to improve student skills in word knowledge, reading fluency, and reading comprehension, and to increase student motivation to read and write independently.

The reading program will provide two (2) 90-minute reading classes per week to students in groups of 20. Reading Specialists will teach one reading class per week, and will supervise a second reading class each week that will be lead by graduate and undergraduate level program staff (see Team Director and Team Leader position descriptions). Throughout the year, Reading Specialists will work with Groundwork�s senior management team to adapt, expand and integrate the reading curriculum with the other components of the after-school program and the upcoming 2003 summer program.

The After-School Academy will be based in a public school in East New York (District 19), close to the 1 and L trains.

ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Evaluate and select appropriate curriculum modules for both remedial and grade level students in one or more of the following age groupings: 7 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 13.
  • Deliver reading class instruction.
  • Supervise reading classes lead by graduate and undergraduate program staff.
  • Assume primary role in assessing students with remedial reading needs, and develop appropriate curriculum and intervention strategies.
  • Assist in design and delivery of reading-related training for program staff.
  • Oversee assessment of children's reading levels pre and post-program.
  • Consult on integration of reading curriculum with arts activities, field trips, outdoor education, and other program components. QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a valid state teaching certificate and at least 3 years experience with classroom instruction, curriculum development, and assessment. Preferred candidate will have a Master's Degree in Education or Reading. Must have experience working with children in racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse urban communities.

    PROCESS: Submit resume via email or fax to [email protected] or (718) 923-2869. Note: Federal and state regulations require a background check for any person employed in a position directly serving children.

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