DreamCatchers Classroom Director: 2024-2025 school year

Join a close-knit team of professionals working to close the educational opportunity gap. DreamCatchers is seeking candidates for Classroom Director who are inspired to make a palpable difference in the lives of socioeconomically disadvantaged middle school students in Palo Alto. Your primary role as Classroom Director is to manage a classroom during our after-school academic support program, where middle school students attending Palo Alto Unified (PAUSD) are paired with near-peer volunteer tutors from local high schools. You manage the classroom, teach SEL (social-emotional learning) lessons and provide support to tutors. The position can best be described as a teacher/mentor/coach, who both teaches lessons and guides students in a safe, supportive, productive environment. Many DreamCatchers Classroom Directors are local college or graduate students or young professionals who are looking for meaningful part-time work and career exploration in education and youth service. Join us!

Employment Status: Part Time
Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour (multi-year commitments will be compensated with yearly rate increases) 
Benefits-Eligible: No 

Position Overview: 

The DreamCatchers Classroom Director is responsible for effectively managing a classroom of middle school students and “near-peer” high school tutors participating in an academic-based program. As the classroom leader, your goal is to create a vibrant atmosphere where learning is fun and rewarding. You will manage the tutor assignments and scheduling and assume some classroom-related administrative tasks. This position provides you valuable professional development and personal growth opportunities. Many Classroom Directors begin their careers in education and youth service at DreamCatchers

Responsibilites:  

  • Manage a classroom of approximately 10-14 middle school students and 5-10 high school tutors 

  • Deliver social & emotional learning (SEL)  lessons based on a shared curriculum; this may include some content development, although slides are provided in advance 

  • Conduct life skills and team-building activities 

  • Collaborate with the program staff and other Classroom Directors 

  • Provide support to tutors and other volunteers working with DreamCatchers students 

  • Communicate with DreamCatchers leadership and staff

  • Attend training and professional development opportunities (compensated)

  • Maintain a positive, safe, productive work environment 

Qualifications: 

Required:

  • Must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old 

  • Vaccinated against COVID (prior to start) and current with boosters 

  • Cleared LiveScan background check through PAUSD (at no charge)

  • Strong communication skills and timely response to emails 

  • Flexibility and calm in navigating a fast paced environment

  • Ability to take initiative, think on your feet, create plans and complete tasks efficiently

Preferred:

  • Working knowledge of Spanish is highly valued

  • Ability to motivate through positive reinforcement 

  • Strong communication skills 

  • Flexible in navigating a fast-paced environment 

  • Mandated Reporter Training certification (training provided) 

Work Hours/Schedule: 

  • 6-15 hours per week (depending on availability / shifts worked) 

  • 2-5 days a week, Monday-Friday. Ideal availability is at least 2 days per week, either Monday/Wednesday and/or Tuesday/Thursday afternoons. Some Friday subbing is also available.

  • Shifts hours are: 

    • Monday/Wednesday 2:15-5:15 pm; 

    • Tuesday/Thursday 3:00-6:00 pm; and 

    • Friday 1:30-5:30 pm (occasional subbing available)

  • Bi-weekly team meetings and additional professional development trainings (all compensated) 

  • Because DreamCatchers aims to build lasting relationships with our students, we strongly encourage Classroom Directors to make a yearlong commitment to our students and the organization. Multi-year commitments are encouraged and will be compensated with increased hourly wages.

Work Months: Regular academic school year (last week of August through early-June), plus opportunity for summer employment (mid-June through mid- July)

Location: Palo Alto, CA (Fletcher Middle School, Greene Middle School and/or or JLS Middle School) 

Position Starts: Ongoing