Fresh Start Academic Coordinator

Fresh Start Academic Coordinator

Living Classrooms Foundation is a non-profit organization, operated for the benefit of the community, providing hands-on education and job training, with a special emphasis on at-risk youth and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation’s Fresh Start Program is a 24-week program providing services through vocational, academic, and social skills development training to high-risk, out of school youth ages 16-19. Fresh Start is designed to mirror the workplace by giving participants an opportunity to practice job skills and attitudes as well as interpersonal skills that will help them in their careers and future endeavors. In addition to GED preparation, the program uses carpentry and woodworking as a medium to teach skills that are needed to be successful in any job: punctuality, cooperation, self-motivation, efficiency, work quality, and staying on task. 

Job Description

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for providing individualized GED preparation and academic remediation for all students enrolled in the Fresh Start program. A bachelor's degree is required for this position. Teaching certifications and GED teaching experience are a plus. The Academic Coordinator is required to work from 9 am - 3pm, Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 2-pm Friday, and is required to complete ongoing staff development training annually.

The Academic Coordinator reports directly to the Program Director. Responsibilities includes, but are not limited to, the following:

• Facilitating and maintaining a classroom environment conducive to learning.

• Modeling a strong work ethic and modeling appropriate work behaviors.

• Directing classroom and alternate site instruction in math, science, English, and social studies.

• Administering, evaluating, and keeping accurate records of academic pre and post-tests for each student throughout the program, and keeping accurate records of all scores. (TABE and the GED)

• Registering eligible students for the Maryland State GED exam.

• Providing small group and one-on-one instruction

• Creating and facilitating active and experiential lessons and activities.

• Implementing program policies and procedures on evaluation, incentives, and progressive discipline.

• Participating in all Fresh Start meetings and training sessions.

• Coordinating with all staff to develop a plan that addresses the educational needs of each student.

• Becoming familiar with and utilizing the instructional facilities and resources of Living Classrooms Foundation.

• Entering data into and analyzing data from the Fresh Start database.

• Keeping track of all supplies needed for GED education.

• Providing a brief written bi-weekly report on the educational progress of each student currently enrolled in the program.

• Exploring curriculum design on an ongoing basis and updating programming as needed.

• Participating in individual meetings with Program Director.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Teaching certifications are a plus.
• GED teaching experience a plus.