Middle School Program Instructor

OAKLAND LEAF FOUNDATION•Oakland, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Oakland Leaf was founded in 2001 by a collective of East Oakland educators intent on empowering youth voice. For more than 25 years, Oakland Leaf has evolved into a highly regarded leader in youth development and out-of-school time learning. We facilitate culturally relevant expanded learning programming for approximately 1,300 K–12 East Oakland students through seven afterschool programs at public elementary and middle schools, one paid internship program for high school students, and two 5-week summer camps. Our programming emphasizes social and emotional learning, creative expression, critical thinking, leadership development, social justice, and college and career readiness grounded in our core values of Love in Action, Cultivation, Community, Youth Voice, and Critical Thinking. The Middle School Program Instructor is the frontline heartbeat of Oakland Leaf's expanded learning program at the middle school level. This role is responsible for facilitating engaging, youth-centered activities for 20 middle school aged students, building authentic relationships with every child in their class, supporting students' social-emotional development, and contributing to a site culture that is warm, inclusive, and full of life. Students in 6th through 8th grade are navigating identity formation, peer relationships, puberty, increasing independence, and real community stressors and pressures that do not stop at the school door. The Middle School Program Instructor understands this and shows up every day committed to being a positive, consistent, values-aligned presence. For someone who is passionate about working with young children, wants to make a real difference in the lives of Oakland youth, and is looking for a meaningful entry point into the field of youth development or education, this is an opportunity to do work that matters.

Requirements

Strong commitment to Oakland Leaf's mission and belief in the power of youth leadership and equity in education
Genuine enthusiasm for working with 6th–8th grade students with the confidence, patience, and relational sophistication that adolescent youth require
At least 1 year of experience working with youth in a program, school, camp, community, or recreational setting, experience with middle school or adolescent populations strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with middle school youth including students who are disengaged, testing boundaries, or navigating significant life challenges
Understanding of adolescent development including the social, emotional, and behavioral dynamics specific to 6th–8th grade students
Ability to hold clear boundaries with warmth and firmness and to apply restorative rather than punitive approaches to conflict and behavior
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively within a site team and communicate student concerns clearly and promptly to site leadership
Reliability, punctuality, and follow-through; middle school students notice when adults are inconsistent, and consistency is one of the most powerful tools this role has
High cultural competency and a commitment to building inclusive, youth-centered program environments
Must be at least 18 years of age
Must pass a background check in accordance with California law and Oakland Unified School District requirements
Experience: 1 year of experience working with youth in any setting; experience with middle school or adolescent populations strongly preferred; expanded learning or school-based experience a plus
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required

Nice To Haves

some college coursework in Child Development, Education, Youth Development, or a related field preferred
units toward a Child Development Permit a plus

Responsibilities

Implement and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive curriculum for assigned middle school student groups following Oakland Leaf's program framework and daily schedule
Prepare for activities in advance including gathering materials, reviewing curriculum lesson plan, and arriving ready to deliver a high-quality experience for students every day
Bring creativity, energy, and genuine enthusiasm to activity facilitation including facilitating experiences that spark curiosity, invite participation, and reflect the interests and identities of the students in the group
Deliver assigned curriculum with fidelity including any enrichment content, social-emotional learning activities, or structured programs assigned by the Site Coordinator/Manager.
Adapt activities in real time based on student engagement, group dynamics, and the natural energy of the afternoon staying responsive and flexible while maintaining structure and purpose
Build authentic, caring, and consistent relationships with every student in the assigned group including learning names, interests, strengths, and challenges, and showing up as a trusted adult presence every day
Create a group environment where every 6th to 8th grade student feels seen, welcomed, and excited to participate especially students who are shy, new to the program, or struggling to connect
Support the identity development, leadership, and critical thinking of middle school youth, creating space for youth voice, honest conversation, and meaningful choices within the program
Hold boundaries clearly and consistently, responding to middle school testing behavior, peer conflicts, and challenging dynamics with firmness, warmth, and a restorative rather than punitive approach
Navigate the complexity of middle school social dynamics with skill, understanding peer pressure, group identity, and adolescent behavior well enough to respond effectively rather than reactively
Maintain professional, warm, and culturally responsive relationships with families at pickup including communicating student highlights and concerns to the Site Coordinator/Manager as appropriate
Maintain active, attentive supervision of all students in the assigned group at all times ensuring every child is accounted for, safe, and appropriately engaged throughout the program day
Follow Oakland Leaf's safety protocols for student transitions, outdoor activities, bathroom breaks, emergency procedures, and incident reporting
Respond to student injuries, illnesses, and safety concerns immediately and calmly notifying the Site Coordinator/Manager and following established protocols without delay
Contribute to a physically safe program environment by keeping activity spaces organized, hazard-free, and appropriate for the ages and needs of students served
Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to contribute every program day
Participate actively in site staff meetings, required training sessions, and professional development opportunities bringing a growth mindset and a collaborative spirit to every team interaction
Support daily site operations as directed by the Site Coordinator including activity transitions, space setup and cleanup, snack distribution, and end-of-day dismissal
Communicate student concerns, behavioral observations, and program challenges to the Site Coordinator/Manager clearly and promptly, never holding important student information until it becomes urgent
Contribute to a positive, inclusive site team culture supporting colleagues, celebrating wins, and approaching challenges with solutions rather than complaints
Additional duties may be assigned by the Site Coordinator/Manager, or Associate Director.