Departmental Assistant / UBSI Instructor

Title: Departmental Assistant / UBSI Instructor

Executive Area: Student Affairs & Campus Life

College/School/MBU: Advocacy, Inclusion & Sup Prog

Department: AISP Administration

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Part Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Upward Bound Summer Institute (UBSI) is a 6-week residential experience hosted at UMass Amherst for 40 – 60 high school students. The UBSI Instructor teaches classes in at least one of several content areas to student participants, conducts sessions, supervises tutor/mentors within and outside of the classroom, and participates in various aspects of this intensive six-week program. This is a grant-funded position supervised by the Upward Bound Program Director.

Essential Functions

Participate in a one-week mandatory staff orientation and training during the weeks prior to the start date of the program.

Plan, prepare and provide instruction to Upward Bound Scholars in one or more content areas as assigned, teaching at least four 1-hour classes daily, Monday through Friday. Content areas include: Math (Basic High School Math through Precalculus/Statistics), English Language Arts (Literature and Composition), Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science), and Language (African, Arabic, East Asian, European, etc.).

Develop and implement innovative, dynamic, hands-on, experiential classes.

Utilize a growth mindset-based curriculum.

Design and implement cross-curricular and cross-content instruction with the other Upward Bound faculty.

Supervise tutor/mentors in class; oversee the planning and preparation for out of class tutoring sessions.

Create and maintain a positive, productive, safe and harmonious learning environment for students.

Build meaningful student-teacher relationships supporting the development and growth of scholars.

Attend staff development activities, weekly staff meetings, and student assemblies as necessary.

Prepare and submit written evaluations of staff, students, and summer program biweekly.

Communicate student progress to program staff and students’ families.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or experience in a relevant and related field.

Experience planning inclusive, experiential, universally designed curriculum for high school students.

Experience teaching inclusive, experiential, universally designed educational experiences for high school students.

Experience working with differing learning abilities and students with Individual Educational Plans (IEP).

Experience managing classrooms and building a positive, learning-oriented environment.

Attention to detail.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Organizational skills.

Effective communication skills.

Professional attitude.

Ability to work well under pressure.

Knowledge of factors affecting student access and success in urban high schools, including those affecting marginalized students, students from diverse backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree.

Knowledge of and experience with MA Teaching Standards.

Knowledge of and experience in using positive approaches to behavioral management with high school-aged students.

Experience working in Upward Bound/TRIO or in similar academic/summer residential programs.

Experience teaching urban high school aged youth.

Commitment to the educational philosophy of Upward Bound/TRIO programs.

Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices.

Additional Details

Qualifications Acquired on the Job:
Experience teaching/supporting students in a college preparatory program.
Understanding of the principles of program participant evaluation.
Additional knowledge of Upward Bound/TRIO programs and their philosophy.

Graduate students are welcome to apply

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday-Friday; approximately 20 hours per week.

Salary Information

Hourly Rate: 32

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.