Northwest Youth Corps

Teacher Job Description

Position filled June 9, 2006

The OutDoor School

Northwest Youth Corps’ (NYC) OutDoor School (ODS) is an alternative education program for high school youth, ages 14-19, who learn best in an experiential format and who may have had difficulty succeeding in a traditional school environment.  ODS traditionally has used a cooperative, team-based format, in which staff engage students in hands-on learning that combines classroom instruction with the completion of conservation projects, field study assignments, and outdoor recreation activities.  This year students will choose between a classroom track or a field track.  In the field track, students will spend equal amounts of time in and out of the classroom and staff will strive to assure conservation projects and field study activities are complementary and integrated.  Curricula in both tracks include resource management, conservation and environmental studies as well as science, math, language arts and social studies.  Students earn high school credit toward a diploma.  ODS has a current enrollment of 45 students and is staffed by three instructional staff, two student support staff, a Principal, and six AmeriCorps members.

Job Description

NYC’s Outdoor School offers a unique opportunity for high energy teachers with vision and creativity to develop the cutting edge curriculum needed to successfully use the outdoors as an instruction vehicle that leads students to  high school completion while also fostering the growth of critical thinkers and environmental awareness.  ODS teaching staff  incorporate outdoor topics as a unifying theme for instructional blocks developed around broadly defined focus areas e.g., survival, habitats, or water.  The program’s highly experiential field format asks staff to plan and implement curriculum in which a week in the classroom lays a foundation for a week of hands-on field study activities; after a week in the field, students return to the classroom to examine their field study experience and prepare for an upcoming week of conservation-based work experience. 

During each quarter, students participate in a Wednesday to Wednesday  (followed by a three day weekend) camping trip that combines fun, community, work, and teambuilding.  Teaching staff help plan and support these “spike camps”.  Teachers also work with students to plan and implement one of ODS’s annual fundraising activities; fall spaghetti feed, holiday arts and crafts sale, or a spring car wash/rummage sale

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create integrated curriculum as needed to meet program objectives and individual student needs.
• Participate in student camping activities.
• Teach a variety of high school subjects, at varied academic levels. 
• Provide instruction, assess learning, keep class records, assign grades and write narrative evaluations.
• Participate in IEP meetings, and assure that accommodations are made for each special education student.
• Maintain portfolio assessments and records.
• Work with special education teacher to assure compliance with IEP’s. 
• Implement ODS’s school-wide effective behavior support system.
• Attend regular staff meetings, staff development opportunities, and organization-wide activities.

Qualifications

• Current Oregon secondary teaching license
• Experience teaching high school-aged and/or at-risk youth
• Ability to work with youth in an enthusiastic and encouraging way
• Sense of humor; non-judgmental attitude and willingness to learn from young people

Conditions

CPR, First Aid, safe driving history, fingerprinting and a criminal background check required.

Term of Employment

195 day contract; August 28, 2006 - June 15, 2007 

Compensation

$24,000 – $25,500 DOE w/Oregon certificate.  $26,000 – $27,500 DOE w/special ed certificate.  Benefits:  health insurance and dental insurance with co-pay, short/long term disability and life insurance, and two retirement plans; employee retirement plan funded by employer contributions, 403-b option funded by employee contributions.

To apply:  Submit application and cover letter by e-mail to jeffo@nwyouthcorps.org or mail to:

ODS Teacher, Northwest Youth Corps, 2621 Augusta, Eugene, OR  97505. To apply online, visit www.nwyouthcorps.org/staff positions/administrative staff.

Selected applicants may be requested to provide additional information before an interview is scheduled.  Applicants not selected for interviews will not be notified. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

NYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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