Summer Academy Middle School Teacher

Our Mission

Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham.

We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city. Together, we’re creating a Durham where all students succeed.

As a result of structural racism, poverty, and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first-generation college-bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We want to change the odds for children in our community.

The Work

We are hiring Middle School Teachers to provide academic enrichment and structured new experiences for middle school students at our five-week Summer Academy. At Summer Academy, we are committed to helping our students feel success and growth by providing thoughtful, intentional academic experiences, and sharing our own excitement around academic content. Summer teachers can continue supporting students by committing to weekly support at Student U’s daily after-school program during the school year.

Summer commitment (full-time):

Student U middle school teachers work full-time in the summer, creating lesson plans, teaching their own classes, and working collaboratively with other teachers to engage and inspire students. Student U teachers teach a core academic class, co-lead a small reading group, lead a club, and build community within their team of 20 students and 4 teachers. Student U teachers are expected to be fully present at the Summer Academy which operates Monday – Friday approximately 7.5 hours daily, +1.5 hour weekly staff meeting outside of normal work hours.

School year opportunities (part-time):

Pending a strong job performance during the summer, Student U middle school teachers can play a role in supporting students at Student U’s daily after-school program during the school year. There are several opportunities for the Student U school year, ranging from 3-20 hours/week, depending on schedule, experience, and desired commitment. Summer teachers can be Advocates leading our after-school program (20 hours/week), Academic Coaches for a small group of students (6 hours/week), tutors at our after-school program (at least 3 hours/week), administrative support during non-after-school hours (at least 3 hours/week), or lead a club for a small group of students(1 hour/week).

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Student U Middle School Staff Member!

AVAILABLE TEACHING POSITIONS FOR SUMMER ACADEMY:

Core Subjects (ELA, Global Connect, Math, and Science): All core subject classes implement a curriculum designed specifically for Student U’s Summer Academy by a team of experienced educators within the Durham Community. Core subject teachers will be responsible for creating the teaching tools that will accompany each lesson (powerpoints and handouts for each day), teaching the curriculum developed for their course, and evaluating student growth using the pre and post assessments created for each course. Attached is an overview of the curriculum implemented in each content area at Summer Academy.

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  In addition to teaching a core subject, each teacher will be asked to teach an afternoon elective.

Electives- Each teacher will teach a self-developed 2 week elective course for our rising 6th-8th grade students. Teachers will be responsible for developing their elective lesson plans in the spring, creating the teaching tools/resources that will accompany each lesson, teaching, and evaluating the students.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend all pre-summer training events
• Attend a 2 week Teacher Orientation & Family Day held on a Saturday
• Teach one core academic class implementing Student U’s Core Curriculum for students in your assigned grade
• Create and uphold Student U culture with a “Family” of 20 students and 4 teachers
• • Bring energy and enthusiasm to your classroom and family activities each day
  • Collaborate regularly as a team of teachers to support your students
  • Uphold Student U’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions with staff and students
• Co-lead a small reading group with another Student U teacher
• Lead and help facilitate a club
• Attend weekly faculty meetings (Tuesdays 90 minutes)
• Attend weekly Professional Learning Opportunities usually in content groups (during Summer Academy hours)
• Chaperone local community field trips with your grade
• Complete morning, lunch, and afternoon duties to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all students
• Act as a representative of Student U’s programming, culture, and values both at Student U and in the community

The Commitment: REQUIRED PROGRAM DATES

April 24th, 2026 Staff Launch & Training, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (in person)

April 25th, 2026 Staff Launch & Training, 10 AM - 12:30 PM (in person)

May 27th, 2026 Summer Teacher Check In (virtual)

June 15th - 26th, 2026 Teacher Orientation (in person)

Week 1: 8 AM - 3 PM

Week 2: 7:30 AM - 3 PM

June 19th, 2026 Student U is Closed (observing Juneteenth Holiday)

June 20th, 2026 Family Day, 9 AM - 1 PM

June 29th - July 31st, 2026 Summer Academy (in person), ~ 7.5 hrs daily, + 1.5 hr weekly staff meeting on Tuesdays.

July 3rd, 2026 Student U Closed (Observing Independence Day)

July 13th, 2026 Teacher Workday 9 AM - 2 PM (in person)

August 3rd - August 5th, 2026 Evaluation Week, 8am - 3pm (in person)

The Commitment (Our Ideal Candidates)

We are committed to hiring and developing a staff that honors and reflects the diversity of our community.

Our ideal summer academy staff:

• believe all students can achieve greatness.
• are committed to helping our students grow both academically and socially/emotionally into what we know they are capable of.
• are committed to learning, growing and reflecting together to ensure our students are gaining academic skills.
• are committed to uncovering the brilliance of our students.
• are committed to the city of Durham.
• view the time spent with students 6th-10th grade during Summer Academy as an important part of their growth professionally.
• use Student U as an opportunity to develop skills they will later use in their own classrooms or in their area of expertise.

To learn more about the beliefs that guide our work, please explore our mission and values, found on our website here.

Compensation:

$18 hourly rate for non-licensed teachers. $22 hourly rate for licensed teachers and certified instructors who have experience working with young people.

Anti-Discrimination Policy & Commitment to Equity & Child Safeguarding Policy

• Student U is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within our organization where people from various backgrounds can participate fully and equitably, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to our mission.
• Student U has a commitment to ensuring the safety of our students. All staff will participate in a mental health training for young people, safety training, and Restorative Practices training during orientation.

Preferred Deadline: Preference given to applications submitted by Monday, January 5th, 2026

First Round of Interviews: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026- Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

Final Deadline: Friday, February 6th, 2026

Second Round of Interviews: Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 - Friday, February 27th, 2026

Ideal Start Date: Monday, April, 13th, 2026

Do you have questions about the job or your qualifications to teach with us? Questions about the application? Please contact Casey Barr-Rios at casey.barr-rios@studentdurham.org and she will direct you to the necessary person to best support you.

A complete application consists of a resume and a cover letter answering the following questions:

• The majority of our students attend Durham Public Schools or surrounding schools. All of our Student U students are either first generation college students or qualify for free or reduced lunch. 96% of the students we serve are also People of Color. With these facts in mind, while also acknowledging the systemic barriers our students often face, do you believe that all Student U students can succeed in high school and college? If yes, what skills do you believe students need in order to be college ready and how will you structure your classroom to ensure students gain these skills? If not, please explain.

• Rank these elements of an effective classroom in order from least to most important and explain your ranking: relevance, rigor, and relationship.
• Teachers at Student U are asked to model our core values (studentudurham.org - core values) at all times including interactions with students, parents, and colleagues. Pick 1 value that resonates with you the most and speak to how that will guide your work as a teacher at Student U.