Art Studio Mentor/ Coach (2-3 hours/ week)
Want to help prepare teens to make a difference in a rapidly changing and uncertain world? Inspired to guide high schoolers to explore their passions and find purpose? Able to juggle multiple tasks at a time?
We’re looking for a Visual Arts Mentor/Coach to work with students on their own art projects in a studio setting once a week. If this sounds like your kind of gig, we want to hear from you ASAP!
Job Description:
Insight is seeking an arts educator-coach (“coach”) who is committed to the co-creation of an educational environment that combines learner-driven explorations, rich interdisciplinary academic instruction, high standards, differentiated instruction, and a caring and empathetic community that is responsive to individual student needs. Insight coaches are comfortable in a dynamic, collaborative, student-centered environment where innovation is essential. Coaches are empathetic and passionate, employ a growth mindset, embrace ambiguity, and are highly qualified professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines (humanities, arts, science, technology, math, language arts, and/or engineering). Coaches gladly and readily play many different roles within the growing organization.
We are currently in need of a team member whose primary responsibility will be visual arts mentoring/ coaching, working 1:1 and in small groups with students in grades 9-12 to help them plan and pursue their own visual arts projects.
Part-time and full-time coaches at Insight join other educators to create a dynamic learning experience by contributing in the following ways:
General Responsibilities:
Support the learner-driven mission of Insight.
Collaborate with fellow coaches, school leadership, and learners to help build Insight community and culture.
Actively engage in year-long professional development to adopt and integrate a new assessment and reporting system in partnership with a model program.
Identify and collaborate with community partners to create an enriched, real-world learning environment in the community.
Coach learners through the experiential-based learning process, encourage peer-to-peer learning, and assist learners in approaching difficult concepts.
Foster meaningful, positive relationships with learners. Work individually with learners to personalize their development goals, mentoring them in discovering their passions.
Curate personalized learning activities for each learner’s abilities, needs, and learning style.
Collect information about and share learning outcomes with learners, colleagues, and parents on a regular basis.
Support student leadership in student-driven initiatives, goals, and interests.
Coaching Responsibilities:
Coach learners in building their confidence and skills within and across disciplines.
Collaborate with Insight instructors and advisors to gain an understanding of expectations and opportunities for growth in each of the Insight courses.
Learn about and be an ambassador for effective accommodation strategies that actually support student achievement.
Review student records, including IEP or psycho-ed documentation and records of past performance.
Develop rapport with each student on your caseload and work with them to develop goals and systems for monitoring, tracking, problem-solving, and celebrating accomplishments.
Communicate with Insight instructors if/when student obstacles or work-arounds are discovered.
Work with the Executive Director and other instructors to identify viable opportunities for students to meet Insight academic requirements.
Successful Insight Coaches:
Believe in the power of students.
Possess a passion for working with and engaging high school learners.
Embody a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Have a sense of humor, empathy for others, and grit.
Believe that creativity and critical thinking are linked, and that they are important skills for success.
Are flexible thinkers and doers with a drive for impact.
Honor a fail forward approach to learning and growth.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial work ethic,
Adapt to change and encourage innovation.
Deploy creativity and flexibility to independently develop learning experiences within a fluid, learner-centered, project-based environment.
Embody curiosity, passion, honesty, innovation, communication, selflessness, courage, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Are willing and excited to engage in Insight events and outdoor trips that may take place evenings and weekends.
Qualifications:
The Coach will have a passion for learning and teaching, along with a demonstrated ability to build rapport with students and adults. They will be committed to student-driven learning and have deep respect for young people, as well as empathy for the challenges they face. In addition, they will have:
Strong commitment to Insight’s mission and values.
Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Experience working with teenagers in an educational and/or coaching capacity.
Interdisciplinary expertise usually achieved through excellent liberal arts education.
Prior experience and success in working with students with learning differences and uneven developmental profiles.
Prior experience in working with and coaching other artists.
Experience designing relevant and engaging learning experiences.
Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate and embrace the ambiguous nature of working in a startup environment.
Join our team and enjoy:
Workplace culture that encourages creativity, innovation, and empowerment
Life-changing moments in an organization that aims to change the world
Professional development in the most current practices of learner-centered education
Opportunities to inspire the next generation of undiscovered leaders
Living wage that honors your training, expertise, and commitment to the development of a new kind of secondary school in our community.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfaction of certain pre-employment verifications and clearances including, but not limited to, undergraduate degree verification, criminal background check, and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.
Apply Today: We’re looking for someone who fits in well with our team and is ready to get started planning for the semester and beyond! If this sounds like your kind of gig, please send a cover letter and resume to Susan Haws, Executive Director, Insight Colearning Center at susan@insightcolearning.org at your earliest possible convenience.
More About Insight:
Insight Colearning is a 501 C-3 nonprofit organization and NC Independent School based in Durham, NC with a mission to prepare traditionally under-served teens to make a difference in a rapidly changing and uncertain world by providing an exemplary high school experience that combines rigorous, college-style coursework, authentic problem-based learning, one-on-one advising, accommodations and respect for learning differences, and participation in a dynamic and diverse learning community. Learn more about us athttps://www.insightcolearning.org.