NYSA Lead Teacher - Elementary School

This job posting was opened on 4/02/25. Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current IRC (and recently employed by IRC) staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

Background:

The International Rescue Committee is New Jersey’s largest refugee resettlement organization, serving over 2000 refugees and immigrants each year with resettlement, economic empowerment, education and learning and immigration legal services. The IRC in NJ’s youth program started in 2012 and works in collaboration with schools and families to overcome barriers and promote the academic and social success of refugee students. The trauma of being forced from their homes, prolonged separation from loved ones, displacement, language barriers and poor or lapsed education compounds the academic challenges faced by refugee youth. IRC currently works with over 245+ refugee and humanitarian parolee students enrolled in nearly 20 school districts.

Scope of Work:

In July & August 2025, the IRC in New Jersey will host a four-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in northern New Jersey. The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) will serve up to 130 students ages 5 – 20, in ten classes, from at least 10 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, and recreational activities. Field trips will be held once per week. The Lead Teacher will lead the classroom instructional team to reinforce English language learning with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.

IRC seeks (4-5) Elementary Lead Teachers to supervise a self-contained classroom, teaching English literacy and ESL concepts through various subjects and collaborating with volunteer facilitators on specialized recreational activities. Each Lead Teacher is expected to collaborate with Teacher Assistants and Peer Mentors as they implement a culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students. Given the varied English levels and formal education experiences of the student body, the Lead Teacher must be flexible and comfortable with using various instructional methods for teaching Newcomer Multilingual Learners. Lead Teachers will be supported by the Education Coordinator with regular check-ins and support hours to best meet the ever-changing needs of students. Lead Teachers will provide valuable student feedback on student growth in multiple areas, including English language acquisition, socio-emotional well-being, and overall school readiness to contribute to the NYSA 2024 Report. Throughout their classroom activities, Lead Teachers will be expected to contribute to the program’s goals of fostering students’ adjustment to school culture and preparedness for the upcoming school year.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Implement culturally and age-appropriate curriculum for a class of approximately 15 students
• Differentiate instruction to ensure positive learning experiences for students with interrupted formal education and students with varied language proficiency
• Co-plan adaptive curriculum and daily lesson plans in collaboration with their Teacher Assistant
• Collaborate with classroom teacher assistants to integrate activities and practices that support students’ social-emotional learning and well-being in addition to student’s academic development
• Supervise classroom staff
• Ensure classroom environment is welcoming, nurturing, and supportive to refugee students and promotes trust and self-esteem building
• Collaborate with activity facilitators (yoga, music, art, sports) to ensure English language acquisition is promoted throughout all program activities
• Engage in daily all-staff debriefings
• Assist with daily operations including student arrival and dismissal, lunchtime setup/clean up, and Friday field trips
• Participate in staff and volunteer training the week of, including curriculum development and overview of IRC’s Social and Emotional Asset Development (SEAD) Curriculum (addressing social and emotional needs of refugee youth)
• Provide feedback on student growth and complete student evaluation forms
• Comply with all agency policies and protocols, including providing feedback on training and program-wide evaluation

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to:  Education Coordinator
Position directly supervises:  Teacher Assistant and Peer Mentor

Indirect Reporting: Youth Program Coordinator, Youth Programs Specialist
Other Internal and/or external contacts: Volunteer Activity Facilitators (Yoga, Art, Sports, Music)

Requirements: 

Education

• Teaching certification in New Jersey or another state
• ESL certification, strongly preferred

Work Experience

• A minimum of three years teaching required
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Proven success planning and delivering creative and engaging curricula for classes of diverse beginner to intermediate Newcomer Multilingual Learners
• Cultural competence and cross-cultural or overseas experience desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Language Skills

• Second language proficiency language proficiency in relevant language desirable (including Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Haitian Creole). 

Working Environment: 

• Monday-Friday, the program will be held on-site at a university contracted space (previously Kean University).
• Necessary travel to field trips on Fridays

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
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