Program Coordinator

Aspire Afterschool Learning is seeking to hire up to four (4) full-time (40-hours/week) Program Coordinators to support our holistic afterschool and summer academic enrichment program for historically underserved 3^rd – 5^th grade students in South Arlington, Virginia. Up to two Program Coordinators will be hired as Instructional Leads and up to two Program Coordinators will be hired as Grant Administration Leads.

The ideal candidates will have a passion and skill for leading classroom activities, supporting student programming, coaching AmeriCorps Members and volunteers in classroom management, and building relationships with school partners and parents.

These highly adaptable, personable, and well-organized candidates will work as part of a close team and be responsible for providing classroom instruction and program support at Randolph or Drew Elementary Schools, two Title I Arlington Public Schools.

Who We Are

Aspire Afterschool Learning (formerly Greenbrier Learning Center) is a non-profit organization based in South Arlington, VA. Aspire provides robust, comprehensive, and high-quality afterschool and summer academic enrichment to historically underserved 3^rd – 5^th grade students. Our program supports and connects students, families, schools, and communities while using evidence-based methods to achieve results for students most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Over 90% of our students improve their reading levels each year with our support.

Aspire’s values statement:

• Growth: We Aspire to support our students to empower them to reach their goals. 
• Connection: We Aspire to bring our community together to create a sense of belonging for our students and their families.
• Equity & Access: We Aspire to provide access to the students and families most impacted by the educational opportunity gap and treat Aspire students and families with dignity, fairness, and respect. 
• Excellence: We Aspire to strive for excellence in all that we do. 
• Fun & Caring: We Aspire to approach every day with a nurturing spirit of playfulness and warmth.

You can learn more about Aspire and our work at www.aspireafterschool.org.

What You’ll Do

The Program Coordinators report to the Program Manager. Working closely with our small staff team and AmeriCorps Members, each Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Leading classroom lessons at either Drew or Randolph Elementary School, ensuring that Drew or Randolph’s programming and classrooms are supported and connected to Aspire’s mission, vision, values, and learning curriculum.
• Supporting the implementation of Aspire’s programs, including leading classroom activities, student projects, and lesson plans.
• Providing mentorship and supervision to Aspire AmeriCorps Members assigned to Drew or Randolph, ensuring AmeriCorps Members are supported and successful in their classroom assignments and have a positive experience in the program.

In addition to the above requirements, Program Coordinator, Instruction Lead(s) will be responsible for:

• Ensuring lesson plans are implemented properly at your designated site, including ensuring the team at your site understands the lessons and is well-prepared.
• Managing classroom activities, lesson plans, student support, student case notes, supplies and materials, and program data for program benchmarks and goals and state childcare licensing requirements.
• Scheduling, facilitating, and conducting 1:1 coaching sessions with AmeriCorps Members at your designated site and using the coaching experience and classroom observations to inform and support ongoing training, professional development, and leadership for AmeriCorps Members.
• Communicating regularly and proactively with teachers to understand what is happening in the classroom and bringing that knowledge to Aspire classrooms to support students.

The Program Coordinator, Grant Administration Lead(s) will be responsible for:

• Working closely with the school team and leadership at Drew or Randolph, managing regular meetings and proactive communications to ensure seamless program coordination, communications, and behavioral management.
• Coordinating regularly with school administration, faculty, and other afterschool enrichment providers to collect and track timely data and reporting metrics, including application, enrollment, and attendance per grant requirements and compliance.
• Managing communication with parents and planning and facilitating regular parent nights.
• Facilitating community outreach to strengthen school, community, and parent partnerships that support Aspire’s goals and values and enhance student learning.

Who You Are & Keys to Success

To be successful in this position, you will have strengths in the following four areas:

• Passionate about education and closing the educational opportunity gap: Experience and fondness for working with historically underserved students in a classroom setting, understanding of the holistic nature of education – from school to afterschool to home and community, and a passion for helping students develop a love of learning.

• Strong Communicator and Relationship Builder: Enthusiasm for engaging with a diverse range of people, including school administrators and educators, parents, students, AmeriCorps Members, community partners, and staff/co-teachers. Gets back to people promptly and follows through on commitments.

• Critical thinking and problem-solving: Consistently overcomes challenges and creatively leverages resources to solve problems. Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance (but isn’t afraid to ask questions). Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, and course-corrects where needed.

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: Recognizes the ways that race, ethnicity, language, income level, citizenship and immigration, and other identities intersect in the work, especially with the communities we serve. Empathizes with the communities we serve, listens closely to understand needs, and takes steps based on that input.

In addition, you bring with you:

• Minimum 1 year of classroom/childcare experience and endorsement or certificate/bachelor degree in a child-related field (as required for VA child care licensing).
• Ability to work in-person at an assigned school location in South Arlington, VA, Monday – Friday, 11 am – 7 pm.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail and deadlines.
• Technology unafraid and good working knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office software, especially Word and Excel.
• Highly adaptable with the ability to work flexibly, independently, and as part of a small and cohesive team in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Lived experience with the educational opportunity gap or the communities Aspire works with desired, but not required.

Spanish proficiency desired, but not required.

What Else You Should Know

Aspire Afterschool Learning is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We value having team members who reflect the students and families we serve, including from communities most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Some candidates may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every single bullet point; please apply anyway. We don’t believe in a “perfect” candidate because we believe in our core values of growth, connection, equity, and access.

Aspire Afterschool Learning does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.

The position is full-time (40 hours/week) and requires the ability to work in-person Monday – Friday from 11 am – 7 pm at Randolph or Drew Elementary School and travel to Aspire’s Arlington Mill location at least once/week.

The salary for this position is $45,000/annual. We also offer a monthly health insurance stipend, 403 b retirement plan, a positive working environment and culture, values-driven work, 15 vacation days during your first year of employment, 13 holidays, 5 wellness days, and two weeks off with pay during the winter holiday break.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to paula @ aspireafterschool.org with “Program Coordinator” in the subject line.

The position will remain open until filled; however, interviews with qualified candidates will begin immediately and on a rolling basis, with preference given to candidates applying early. Ideally, the candidate will begin employment early September.