ELL Instructor at Rikers Island (Full-Time)
About the role
The Petey Greene Program supports the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality volunteer tutoring programs, while educating volunteers on the injustice manifest in our carceral system.
We envision a world in which all incarcerated people have access to high-quality academic programs and we strive to inspire our alumni - both students and tutors - to become advocates, and to take on leadership roles that reimagine the criminal legal system.
The PGP operates the largest multi-state volunteer tutoring program for currently and formerly incarcerated people. Since our founding in 2008, we’ve served over 21,000 students across more than 140 programming sites—including correctional and reentry programs—placed over 9,000 volunteers, and partnered with 40+ universities in seven states and Washington, D.C.
The PGP is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, but the majority of our 40 employees are based across the Northeast in regions where the PGP holds programming.
Responsibilities
- Affirmatively assess and identify ELL student goals and levels
- Design engaging ELL lessons, covering English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, that are appropriately leveled and relevant for approximately 2-10 students per class
- Facilitate 2-3 classes per day, 4 days per week, 1.5-2 hours per class
- Plan and implement formative and summative assessments, as appropriate
- Incorporate PGP volunteer tutors into lesson plans to offer supplementary and 1-on-1 support to incarcerated students outside of class time
- Review and provide feedback on student work between classes, as needed
- Collect and review student academic progress data on a weekly basis and adjust curricula, as needed
- Maintain records of student academic progress data
- Review and implement feedback on curricula and instruction from students, PGP colleagues, and NYCDOC staff
- Adjust and adapt teaching as needed to ensure ongoing alignment with student needs
- Provide a positive educational presence at the facility by building rapport with learners and discussing students’ academic, personal, and professional goals
- Collaborate with other instructors and the PGP’s Program Manager - ELL Programs at Rikers Island to provide a continuum of educational support for learners and a supportive educational community
- On in-person days, participate in daily on-site meetings with PGP’s Rikers team members to align services, ensure coordinated student support, and collectively navigate daily work inside a carceral space
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or a related field
- Certification or degree in TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA
- At least 1 year of experience providing direct ELL instruction for adults
- Familiarity with adult learning theory, culturally responsive pedagogy, and trauma-informed teaching practices
- Familiarity with best practices for supporting emerging literacy skills among ELL students
- Ability to interpret academic progress data and implement data-driven approaches to instruction
- Ability to adjust communication style for various stakeholders (incarcerated students, correctional facility administrators, university or other educational partners, volunteer tutors, etc.)
- Ability to develop, implement and adapt curricula to meet program needs while remaining aligned with the organization’s mission and vision
- Ability to develop and adapt processes and lesson materials for low-tech/no-tech environments
- Extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Ability to problem solve
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Proficiency in Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Calendar
- Awareness of issues related to mass incarceration and broader social justice concerns
Skills
- Bilingual in English and another language
- Experience with and knowledge of tutor-centric educational programs and/or volunteer programs
- An understanding of the US criminal legal system and local policies
Benefits
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or a related field
- Certification or degree in TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA
Pay
$67,000-$70,000
Schedule
Full-time