SONYC Group Leader

About DreamYard

DreamYard Project is committed to being an anti-racist organization. We lead with race because we operate in a country founded on the genocide of Indigenous people, the enslavement of African people, and the oppression of countless others. We acknowledge the role this history plays in perpetuating inequity and dominant white culture. We are intentionally building a path toward racial equity by:

• Challenging oppression and its intersections

• Using art and education as a platform to offer a hopeful vision of the future

• Identifying and uplifting the power and cultural assets that exist within our community of educators, artists, dreamers, young people and life-long learners

• Encouraging the principles of justice, unity, equity, creativity, and joy

• Transforming policies, procedures, practices, and programs (for example: striving for transparency and equity in pay and compensation structures regardless of race, culture, gender, ethnicity, creed, etc)

• Understanding our staff, community members and partners are at different levels on the anti-racist continuum and embracing that we all have a place in this work

As a DreamYard employee, we invite you to join us on this journey.

Co-Executive directors Jason Duchin and Tim Lord founded DreamYard in 1994. Over the past quarter century, DreamYard has worked with more than 100 public schools and over 100,000 young people and families.DreamYard has developed a robust educational community in the Bronx – from its in-school partnerships and launch of the DreamYard Preparatory High School to its Out of School Programs at the DreamYard Art Center in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx. Our role is to nurture, resource, encourage, inspire, and sometimes simply remind our community members of the power and endless possibilities that they hold. We do so by encouraging personal stories, acknowledging and working to change oppressive conditions, and fortifying each individual’s personal power to transform. 

The Position

The SONYC Group Leader will report to the SONYC Program Director and work closely with SONYC staff (including group leaders, school teachers and other staff) to support the SONYC after school program at a middle school in the Bronx serving 120 students. Primary responsibilities include working with a set group of 15 students to support them during various activities, including leading multiple hour-long sessions in a sequential curriculum that engage students, submitting written lesson plans, supporting program goals around attendance and engagement, and fostering a positive, productive environment for program participants. It is important that Group Leaders be able to act as a positive role model and mentor to the young people they work with, and to develop a positive, supportive culture and an effective way of dealing with challenges with students that may arise. The program site is at MS 390 (1930 Andrews Avenue South, Bronx, NY 10453). 

Qualifications

• Previous after school experience, ideally with middle school aged youth

• Associate’s Degree at minimum, or currently working toward Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree

• Ability to collaborate effectively with other after school staff

• Must be able to develop hour long lessons and produce lesson plans

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills (Bilingual ability in Spanish is a plus)

• Commitment to fostering a student-centered, safe, respectful, and productive environment for all participants, families and school partners

• All staff must pass DOE fingerprinting clearance, and other related clearances, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination before beginning work.

Responsibilities

• Working to support young people's development in an active, positive way that reflects DY values and school norms

• Supporting program systems including attendance, incentives, safety procedures, special events, etc.

• Providing effective instruction for a structured activity (arts, sports, technology, etc.), including creating written lesson plans, planning projects that help youth build skills over time.  Lessons plans must be turned in weekly and reflect progression of activity and student learning; coaching will be available by on-site Educational Specialist

• Punctuality, dependability, and professional communication are highly important to successful operation of program

This is a part time position of approximately 15 hours per week. The program runs Monday through Friday from 2:40 pm to 6:00 pm, and staff hours will be 2:40 pm to 6:00 pm. and runs for 36 weeks from Sept 2023 through June 2024. The Group Leader will average 60 hours per month. $18 per hour.

Please note that proof of vaccinations will be required as a DreamYard COVID 19 health and safety protocol.

Please be sure to describe any activities you feel you would be qualified to provide instruction in. If possible, please also send samples of student work resulting from similar activities for which you have provided instruction.

DreamYard is committed to the principles of arts education, educational reform and social justice, and fashions its programs to specifically address the needs of urban communities that are typically underrepresented because of race, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Accordingly, we welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals. 

Bronx-based and Spanish-speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. DreamYard Project, Inc. employs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other attribute not related to superior performance.

Last updated on Nov 12, 2023