Adjunct Teacher

Exalt•New York, NY

33d•$8,000 - $9,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Adjunct Teacher is an exciting part-time opportunity within exalt. The Adjunct Teacher facilitates a pre-internship preparation course using a curriculum that connects employability skills, educational engagement, and justice system avoidance to four core competencies: critical thinking, communication, creative problem-solving, and resource management. Central to exalt’s curriculum is a Freire-inspired critical pedagogical approach that validates and builds upon participants’ lived experiences, cultures, skills, and interests while reinforcing discipline and accountability. This approach inspires youth to internalize the four core skills and apply them to decision-making across school environments, interactions with peers or law enforcement, and professional settings that present opportunity. The Adjunct Teacher will teach and lead 1–2 class cycles per year, as requested by exalt. Each cycle includes the following phases: Orientation – Sets expectations and introduces exalt’s youth development and pedagogical approach 6-Week Pre-Internship Training Phase – Classes meet 2 hours per day, Monday–Thursday 8-Week Internship Phase – Classes meet 2 hours on Fridays 1-Week Post-Internship Phase – Classes meet 2 hours per day, Monday–Thursday Graduation Event Classes consist of 17–25 youth, ages 15–19. Adjunct Teachers lead classes in person from 4:30–6:30 pm. Teachers must arrive at exalt headquarters no later than 3:00 pm and remain after class from 6:30–7:00 pm for debriefs and one-on-one student follow-up as needed.

Requirements

Classroom Management: Ability to manage classrooms of high school–aged youth resistant to traditional education while balancing structure, accountability, and engagement
Adaptability: Ability to respond positively to change and tailor curriculum to cohort-specific needs and dynamics
Applied Learning: Ability to quickly learn and apply knowledge related to juvenile and adult justice systems
Cultural Competence: Strong understanding of students’ cultural, historical, and socio-economic contexts; ability to deliver culturally relevant instruction
Communication: Strong written, oral, and listening skills across multiple communication formats
Creativity: Ability to use arts and technology to foster engagement and creative expression
Planning and Organizing: Ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and sequence activities effectively
Stress Tolerance: Ability to make difficult decisions while supporting youth facing high-stakes legal and personal challenges
Availability during all in-person program phases, plus select mornings and weekends for court and internship support
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
Minimum of three years of teaching experience with system-involved youth in high school, nonprofit, or alternative education settings

Nice To Haves

Master’s or advanced degree preferred
Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates strongly encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Teach and manage assigned class cycles
Humanize, motivate, validate, and inspire court-involved youth who may be resistant to traditional educational settings
Assess individual learning styles, challenges, and strengths and adapt instruction to maximize engagement and comprehension
Connect all instruction to exalt’s long-term student goals: school persistence, employability, and sustained justice system avoidance
Conduct regular outreach to participants via phone, email, and in person to monitor progress and needs
Develop strategies to support students at risk of program incompletion
Enter student attendance data at least once per week in Salesforce
Administer all four core-skill pre- and post-assessments and ensure accurate Salesforce entry
Complete weekly progress notes documenting student development and setbacks in Salesforce
Communicate at least once per week with Program Coordinators and exalt staff regarding student needs, strengths, and opportunities
Support students with educational goals including enrollment, transfers, academic progression, and individualized plans
Support employability goals including completion of the Pre-Internship Training Phase and internship success
Prepare court letters and provide updates for court appearances as needed
Attend weekly teacher meetings and biweekly program team meetings (in person)
Support justice system avoidance goals, including court preparation, probation compliance, and arrest prevention
Communicate accurate attendance and engagement information to courts via the Director of Court Partnerships and Strategy and/or Court Liaisons