Nusea

SquashWise Full-Time Academic Director

Baltimore SquashWise is a nonprofit organization providing middle school students from Baltimore City with a safe and structured place to exercise their bodies and minds during the afterschool hours. We combine squash instruction, academic tutoring, mentoring and community service to empower local youth to excel academically, athletically and in life. We are based on the very successful model of urban squash & education popular in 12 cities across the country.

Baltimore SquashWise seeks a full-time Academic Director to design and lead daily tutoring sessions with 32 middle school students from Baltimore City Public Schools. The Academic Director will also be responsible for tracking student progress throughout the academic year, and running summer enrichment activities. This is a unique opportunity for a current or former educator with classroom experience and/or a degree in education to work closely with the Executive Director of a new nonprofit to improve the design of the SquashWise academic program. The successful candidate will bring a desire to enrich and motivate urban youth academically and socially, and bring new ideas and experiences to the model of urban squash and education. This is a great opportunity for an entrepreneurial person with a passion for youth enrichment to get in on the ground level of a new organization.

Job responsibilities:

1. Design the academic curriculum, including homework help, supplemental enrichment activities, and teambuilding exercises.
2. Recruit and maintain two teams of students from the 6th and 7th grade (32 total)
3. Lead five weekly academic skill-building sessions aimed at improving students’ grades, test scores, organizational skills, and attitude toward learning.
4. Meet regularly with school teachers to keep current with student progress and classroom activities.
5. Document progress reports on each student: collect data on student attendance records, grades, and test scores.
6. Design individualized academic plans based on each student’s academic needs.
7. Coordinate and chaperone student transportation to and from the school for program sessions, including bus driving (training required).
8. Recruit, train and manage volunteers for the program.
9. Work with parents to coordinate regular parent committee meetings and activities.
10. Plan field trips and five annual community service projects.
11. Coordinate high school visits and information sessions for public and private high schools; assist students with the high school placement process.
12. Build meaningful and lasting relationships with students, teachers and parents by setting regular meetings and phone calls.
13. Assist the Executive Director with administrative duties as needed.
14. Working hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and half days on Saturdays during the academic year. (Summer hours more flexible than academic year).

Qualifying Criteria:

1. Minimum education requirement: B.A. and 2+ years classroom experience; M.A. preferred with additional course work in
education, childhood development, social work, education or psychology. 
2. Excellent interpersonal, writing, and communication skills.
3. Excellent time management skills.
4. Ability to manage and control a classroom of middle schoolers.
5. Experience working with youth, especially at-risk youth, in academic settings.
6. Squash experience is not required, but an interest in squash and sports is a plus.
7. Current driver’s license and clean driving record.
8. Pass a criminal history background check.

Start Date: July/August 2009

Salary: $30,000 to $35,000, or commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: June 15, 2009

Contact: Abby Markoe, Executive Director, abbym@baltimoresquashwise.org