LightHouse Holyoke is an innovative program for teens choosing to pursue a personalized approach to their education. Guided by an advisor, LightHouse teens develop their own goals and learn at their own pace in a supportive, bilingual community. Students have the opportunity to pursue learning through classes, individual tutorials, independent studies, volunteer work in the community, and through their own natural exploration and inquiry.
The Director of Curriculum is part of a team that is responsible for leading LightHouse Holyoke. Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, the Director of Curriculum shares leadership duties with our team of directors, working closely with the Executive Director, Assistant Director, Admissions Director, Program Director, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and our Operations Specialist. The Director of Curriculum is responsible for:
Curriculum Design: From a deep understanding of the LightHouse competency system as well as our core values of social justice, critical thinking, trauma-informed practice, community, and intrinsic motivation, the Director of Curriculum will lead the team in envisioning and mapping out a sequence of courses to support student development.
Teacher supervision and support: In collaboration with the Program Director, recruit and hire teachers, then provide ongoing supervision and academic support to ensure highest quality academic offerings in line with our competencies and values.
Advising and teaching: Teach one class per block and offer one or more individual tutorials in areas of expertise and interest. Serve as advisor for approximately 5 students, meeting minimally once a week with each advisee, collaboratively maintaining their portfolio, communicating with their families and other supports, helping each student move toward graduation and beyond, supporting them closely as they design a meaningful and inspiring future for themselves.
Assessment: Work with the leadership team to identify and evaluate student outcomes with the goal of ongoing program improvement. Choose and design additional assessments to better understand our students’ skills and needs, then use this information to further develop curriculum, instructional practices, and professional development.
Special Education Support: Monitor student IEP’s and specialized learning goals. Communicate with teachers and advisors in support of individual student needs. Communicate with individual families about student progress toward goals.
Board of Directors: Serve as liaison for the Program Committee of the Board of Directors and the rest of LightHouse. Attend quarterly Program Committee meetings.
General management: Manage day-to-day operations of LightHouse in collaboration with the core staff leadership team, including meeting with current students and families, managing conflict and facilitating restorative circles, and facilitating the smooth daily operation of the center.
The Director of Curriculum, above all else, must have a demonstrated passion for working with young people, a commitment to transformative, accessible education, and an ability to be forward-thinking. The ideal candidate will meet many of the following criteria:
Experienced teacher/educator, and professional work background in education/working with young people
Experience and expertise with the core areas required within this job description
Knowledgeable and experienced with models and philosophies of non-traditional education
Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive environments, as well as to understanding and addressing issues of social (in)justice
A desire and demonstrated ability to lead and be part of a team that strives to make decisions collaboratively and to work together cooperatively
Skill or expertise in relevant instructional areas
Sense of humor, desire to have fun, laugh, and enjoy the work
Fluency in Spanish and English
Familiarity with Holyoke and its surrounding communities
Skilled and willing writer and speaker, able to advocate and speak on behalf of the organization
Commitment to the belief that teens in and around Holyoke deserve a positive and affirming educational experience, and that authentic self-directed learning can be a pathway for fostering confidence, passion, and ultimately success in young people
Salary: $55,000 with five weeks paid vacation and flexible summer schedule.
Position requires a commitment to our community values and a dedication to learning and personal growth. The position does not require a resume, a college degree, or a required number of years of experience.
We acknowledge that the traditional higher education system and many hiring pipelines favor wealthy, white Americans. As a learning institution we care about what you’ve learned throughout the course of your life, and we believe the best candidates will have learned relevant job skills and developed their leadership experience in a wide variety of ways.
We do not drug test. We do run criminal background checks as one measure of safeguarding against sex offenders. We acknowledge that law enforcement, the courts, and the prison industrial complex disproportionately negatively affect the lives of people of color.
This position is full time, year round, with flexible hours during the summer vacation period. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. We are proud to provide a paid sick time/personal leave time benefit, and five weeks paid vacation time during set vacations in December, February, and April, with a flexible paid vacation week in summer, as well as a flexible and largely remote work schedule during summer.
LightHouse Holyoke is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. We welcome all applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ability or gender identity—and encourage Black, Indigenous, and non-Black people of color (BIPOC) to apply. We also encourage Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) folks, disabled people, and all people with non-dominant identities to apply.
To apply please send a statement of interest to our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Molly Brown-Hill: molly @ lighthouseholyoke.org. Please share why this position appeals to you and what you feel you would bring to the organization. We look forward to meeting you!
