College & Career Readiness Instructor, Thunder Fellows (Contract)

About the Program

Thunder Fellows, developed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Creative Artists Agency (CAA), is a free, high-impact college and career readiness program committed to expanding opportunities for Tulsa-area high school and Oklahoma-area college students. Beyond any single workshop or experience, the program is designed to help shape the future of Oklahoma’s next generation by creating access, building confidence, and preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and direct exposure to industry professionals, Thunder Fellows empowers students to develop real-world skills, expand their networks, and realize their full potential.

Position Overview

Thunder Fellows is seeking experienced and dedicated instructors who are committed to workforce development and expanding opportunities for youth across Oklahoma. This role will lead College & Career Readiness instruction through engaging, hands-on learning experiences that help.

Key Focus Areas

• Facilitate college planning workshops focused on essay writing, course selection, admissions preparation, and scholarship applications.

• Guide students through capstone project development and presentations that showcase their academic and personal growth.

• Coach students in self-advocacy, goal setting, and time management to build academic confidence and self-determination.

• Teach practical skills including leadership, professional communication, and workplace etiquette.

• Prepare students for internships and career opportunities through resume development, mock interviews, and career exploration.

• Lead hands-on technical skills labs and help students develop data driven-projects, including data analysis and visualization.

• Support students in building real-world, data-driven projects and portfolios.

• Stay up to date on trends and industry use cases to enhance curriculum relevance.

Instructional Schedule & Format

• The instructor will engage approximately 40–50 Fellows per semester across two primary age groups:

  • High School (Juniors and Seniors)

    • Up to two back-to-back, one-hour in-person classes on weekday evenings (Monday–Thursday, typically between 5:30–7:30 pm).

  • College Undergraduates

    • Up to two virtual classes per evening, once per week, with each class lasting approximately 90 minutes (typically scheduled between 2:00–8:00 pm on weekdays).

    • One in-person session per month, with occasional Saturday sessions as needed.

  • Estimated Time Commitment

    • Approximately 15–20 hours per week, including class preparation and instruction time.

As a Contract Instructor, You Will:

• Deliver engaging, age-appropriate instruction through interactive lessons, group activities, and project-based assignments for both high school and college students.

• Build trusting relationships with students by fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment while serving as both an educator and mentor.

• Prepare and adapt curriculum to meet diverse learning needs, skill levels, and learning styles across high school and college cohorts.

• Monitor and track student attendance, engagement, and performance, providing timely feedback and individualized support to maximize learning outcomes.

• Collaborate with program staff to support guest speakers, enrichment experiences, and capstone project preparation.

• Guide students through final projects, internships, and postsecondary planning with an emphasis on professional skill development.

• Incorporate culturally responsive teaching and mentoring practices that promote growth mindset, academic confidence, and leadership.

• Contribute to curriculum refinement, participate in meetings, and ongoing program design efforts as needed.

• Utilize appropriate resources, including textbooks, online tools and software, to enhance learning experiences and classroom engagement.

• Teach the equivalent of three cohorts per semester: two high school sections and one college section.

• Manage content preparation and delivery, administer formative and summative assessments, track student performance data, conduct makeup classes, and hold select office hours as needed.

• Assist with classroom content gathering and support the development of social media captions that highlight key takeaways, student engagement, and program impact.

• Support career and college coaching discussions by providing guidance, resources, and mentorship to students as they navigate academic and professional development opportunities.

• Demonstrate proficiency in platforms such as Google Classroom, Google Workspace, and Box shared drives for classroom material management, while ensuring all resources, assignments, and instructional tools remain organized, updated, and accessible for students and staff.

• Attend and support Thunder Fellows programming, events, workshops, showcases, and special initiatives through operational, instructional, and event support as requested.

• May take on additional related assignments as agreed upon.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or teaching certification preferred.

• Experience teaching or mentoring high school or college students, especially those from historically underserved communities.

• Strong classroom facilitation skills with the ability to lead engaging and interactive instruction.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); and familiarity with relevant technical platforms and tools.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, student-centered environment.

• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, and community-based learning.

• Flexible availability, including evenings and occasional weekends.

Additional Details:

This is a part-time, contract-based role. The selected instructor will collaborate with the Education Specialist, Thunder Fellows to align instructional content and support program delivery objectives. Compensation is provided as a fixed amount per semester, disbursed monthly during the active program period and based on completion of agreed-upon services. The contract requires evening instruction and occasional weekend engagements, depending on program scheduling. Primary work location is in the historic Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required for occasional local travel.

The Thunder recognizes that teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills make a stronger company. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Thunder organization considers applicants fairly on the basis of qualifications, experience and business needs and provides equal opportunity regardless of race, color, age, sex, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Applicants are considered regardless of past legal system involvement, based upon the needs of the role, nature of and recency of legal history. The Thunder is committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and contractors through its RAVE culture – Respect and Value Everyone.