8th Grade Transitions Teacher

Company Overview

The Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME) is a non-profit organization making a large impact on the lives of students of color in the Greater Pittsburgh area. FAME was established over 30 years ago to provide need-based scholarships to bright and talented African American students, making a high-quality independent school education possible. FAME also provides its Scholars with an array of supplemental support including tutoring, internships, academic enrichment programs, leadership development, and career awareness workshops. In addition, FAME hosts a summer and Saturday preparatory program for middle school students interested in attending an independent school.

FAME Academy Overview

The FAME Academy honors the comprehensive needs of talented African American students by offering a proven template of preparatory activities designed to cultivate success at an independent private high school and ultimately prepare them for college. FAME Academy programs foster a smooth, informed, and well-matched transition for its participants into FAME’s participating high schools. With our eyes on that goal, FAME Academy provides middle school students an exceptional preparation for success in 9th grade at their high school of choice.

Position Overview

FAME is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic teacher to serve as a 8th Grade Transitions Teacher. This position will be responsible for planning and delivering a rigorous secondary school preparatory curriculum intended to introduce students to the soft skills necessary for the leap from elementary to middle school, and middle school to high school. The 8th Grade Transitions Teacher, in collaboration with program staff, will also introduce students to the range of school choices (with special focus on independent schools in our partnership) that they have available and the nuances that make them unique. 

Our FAME Academy program hosts 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade cohorts. The Transitions Teacher will use resources designed to enhance the students’ social and emotional competence and build their study skills as appropriate for their grade level. The “transition” elements in focus for our 6th and 7th graders are related to adjusting to their first few years of middle school. Our 8th and 9th grade students will gather skills intended to prepare them for the longer term goal of successful high school transition.

This is a contract position for the 2024-2025 school year (28 weeks from September 28, 2024, through May 10, 2025) that will require some preparation and orientation time during the month of September. Candidates with the skillset and interest in teaching a second subject/class will be considered for other open contract positions. The maximum number of classes per teacher will be 4 classes. Select candidates will have an opportunity to supervise and mentor teaching fellows, based on interest and skillset.

Essential Duties:

• Develop and implement lesson plans. Collaboration with other teachers is encouraged.
• Implement rigorous curriculum content to students.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying learning styles, needs and interests.
• Ensure students are demonstrating knowledge and skills through projects and activities.
• Manage a wide array of student needs and behaviors in the classroom.
• Provides a safe environment for students.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of student attendance and grades in a timely and confidential manner.
• Develop and administer formal and informal student assessments in order to evaluate students' progress.
• Collaborate with parents and staff concerning students' progress.
  

**Required Duties/Qualifications**

Candidates must be able to:

• Provide academic support by teaching study skills, time management, and organizational skills.
• Provide guidance to Black students on social-emotional support needed for success within an independent school, such as social skills, self-esteem, and managing stress.
• Demonstrate cultural competence by understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black students transitioning to a predominately white school environment.
• Provide advocacy support to Black students by advocating for students' needs and support them in navigating the challenges of a transition into an independent school.

Class Schedule

• This is a contract position from September 28, 2024, through May 10, 2025.
• This contract position is for one 8th Grade Transitions class; interested candidates may teach up to 4 classes total.
• This position is scheduled to work each Saturday for 1 hour through May. 
  
• Contract extensions into the summer program and 2025-2026 school year may be offered.
• No Saturday work is required during holiday breaks.

Compensation

• The total compensation for this contract is starting at $1,250.00 based on experience.
  
  

Experience/Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree related to the subject you will be teaching is required, and/or equivalent work experience in an academic setting or in youth development.
• A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience, preferably at the Middle school level.
• Must have current clearances within the last 24 months or willingness to obtain the clearances.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of effective teaching strategies related to SEL, character education and study skills instruction.
• Persistence and the ability to work on a project from the ground up.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and within a small team, lead projects and accept leadership.
• Outcome driven, action-oriented work style.
• Flexibility and the ability to handle ambiguous situations.
• Understanding of diversity and the ability to work effectively with a broad cross-section of individuals.
• Passion for the work of the organization and commitment to serving youth and supporting equity in education.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with families and students.
• Willingness to travel with students for enrichment trips.
• Comfort with Microsoft 365 Suite, student information systems and web based instructional tools.

Salary : $1,250