ESOL/Civics Instructor

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 27,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer).  MRNY is a newly unionized workplace.

MRNY is a multi-service organization.  Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

Current Opening:

MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our Adult Literacy Department offers English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and Civics classes. The ESOL/Civics Instructor is a bargaining unit position, and will work 40 hours/week in Queens and Brooklyn, teaching contextualized English and Citizenship Prep classes with student-centered methodology, based on the mission statement of MRNY. They will also support administrative tasks such as class intake, Best Plus testing, and student assessments. They will connect students to services and our organizing committees at MRNY as well. This is a bargaining unit position.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

Planning:

• Create ESOL/Civics course outlines and unit and lesson plans, and related materials
• Integrate certain thematic content and materials into lessons as required by funders
• Upload course outline, unit plans, and materials to the G-drive.
• Research and develop new resources and materials to enhance the teaching curricula, with emphasis on social justice connected to students’ needs, MRNY policy, directions, and committees.
• Instruction:
• Provide class instruction in ESOL and Citizenship prep classes
• Deliver content material in ways that consider students’ levels and learning styles, the need to pace and scaffold information, and the need to balance the 4 skills, vocabulary, and grammar skill development
• Employ classroom management strategies to improve student retention

Assessment/Communication with Students:

• Reach out to students in advance of the first class-session to confirm attendance and answer questions.
• Provide initial assessment and initial orientation for each student in the class to complement case management orientation.
• Follow up with absent students as needed to ensure their continued participation and document it in Salesforce. Work closely with case managers and program administration to address attendance issues and maintain student retention goals.
• Informally meet with students individually to review progress and assess the need for additional help. This includes flagging referrals to the case manager.

Volunteer collaboration: 

• Coordinate volunteers for civics classes to support with mock interviews.

Administrative Tasks:

• Enter student attendance in Salesforce in a timely manner including absence notes.
• Administer BEST Plus tests as needed during intake, late intake and post-testing time periods.
• Analyze BEST Plus test scores to monitor and document students’ progress.
• Support program intake related activities including student information sessions, appointment scheduling, student registrations, student orientations, student file management, and attendance related tasks.  
• Attend program administrative trainings for updates on new administrative procedures and Salesforce updates.
• Respond to funder related requests as needed.
• Meet all funder requirements, including meeting professional development hours, as well as reporting (i.e. monthly progress notes, Individual Service Plans) and class instructional requirements. 
• Enter weekly mock interview outcomes in Salesforce.
• Enter naturalization exam dates, and naturalization interview outcomes for all students who are scheduled.
• Read/Reply to emails in a timely manner.

Meetings and Training:

• Attend all mandatory Staff meetings and other adult literacy department meetings as required.
• Participate in conferences and professional development training according to funders’ requirements.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Fully bilingual (Spanish and English) REQUIRED
• Experience teaching Civics and ESOL classes
• Strong digital literacy skills with G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Box, Zoom, and Google Voice
• Occasional travel to other MRNY offices required
• Possess a commitment to collective action and community organizing.
• Have experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic work environment

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Salary and Benefits:

MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $62,400 to $64,500.

How to Apply:

Please attach your resume and cover letter and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.