Junior Servant Leader

Junior Servant Leader (JSL), Seasonal 

Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA) 

Location: Philadelphia, PA (In-person) 

Employment Type: Seasonal, Non-Exempt 

Compensation: $15.00 per hour 

Reports To: Junior Servant Leader (JSL) Coach 

Application Deadline: 04/10/2026

About the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED) 

The Center for Black Educator Development exists to rebuild the national Black Teacher Pipeline in service of a clear vision: a world where all Black students have access to high-quality Black educators throughout their PreK–12 education, and where educator preparation, pedagogy, and policies that advance equity and effectiveness are fully institutionalized. We are unapologetically committed to educational justice and racial equity by increasing the presence, effectiveness, and retention of Black educators. Our work centers Black students, families, and educators by designing liberatory pathways into teaching, investing in sustainable program models, and advocating for systems-level change that endures beyond individual programs or classrooms. 

Position Summary 

The Junior Servant Leader (JSL) is a seasonal, in-person instructional leadership role within CBED’s Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA), a five-week summer apprenticeship program designed to prepare high school–aged aspiring educators while providing high-quality literacy instruction and enrichment to elementary school scholars. 

Reporting to the JSL Coach, Junior Servant Leaders support classroom instruction alongside college-aged Servant Leader Apprentices (SLAs). Through professional development, coaching, and structured feedback cycles, JSLs build Black pedagogical understanding, instructional skill, and leadership capacity. JSLs collaborate with SLAs to create affirming classroom environments, support lesson implementation, analyze data, and co-lead social action projects with scholars. 

This is an in-person seasonal position running from June 29 - July 31, with scheduled hours of 7:45am - 3:45pm EST.

Mandatory training in preparation for the 5-week summer program. Though subject to change, the schedule is as follows: 

Core Accountabilities 

• Instructional Support & Scholar Outcomes

Support high-quality literacy instruction that advances scholars’ academic growth, engagement, and social–emotional development. 

• Lesson Preparation & Data-Informed Practice

Learn lesson plans, review student work, and use daily data to support scholar learning. 

• Classroom Culture & Scholar Support

Contribute to safe, affirming, and well-managed learning environments that promote positive behavior and belonging. 

• Professional Growth & Youth Leadership Development

Engage actively in coaching, professional development, and reflection to build instructional and leadership skills. 

• Operational Support & Scholar Supervision

Support administrative tasks and scholar supervision to ensure smooth daily program operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support literacy instruction by working with individual scholars or small groups.
• Learn lesson plans and teach engaging lessons one-on-one or in small group settings.
• Review student work daily and use data to help scholars improve.
• Support classroom management and scholar engagement.
• Help lead project-based learning and social action activities with guidance from SLAs.
• Participate fully in required training, professional development, and coaching sessions.
• Engage in continuous reflection and incorporate feedback from coaches and supervisors.
• Assist with administrative tasks and daily program operations.
• Supervise scholars during snack, transitions, throughout the building, and on field trips.
• Help create and maintain an organized, welcoming, and visually engaging learning environment.
• Adhere to FSLA and CBED policies, procedures, and professionalism expectations.

Leadership & Cultural Expectations 

CBED leaders are expected to model the organization’s core beliefs, leadership competencies, and values by centering justice, demonstrating operational discipline, and leading with clarity, accountability, and care. Leaders are responsible for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams; engaging in continuous learning and reflection; and building systems that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with CBED’s mission. Leaders are also expected to demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills, and to partner effectively across teams and stakeholders in ways that produce measurable outcomes and sustain the people doing the work. 

Qualifications 

• Must have completed at least the 9th grade.

• Interest in pursuing a career in education or working with younger children.
• Openness to receiving and implementing feedback.
• Strong reflective practice, including attention to both actions and impact.
• Demonstrated resilience, flexibility, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Willingness to adhere to all program professionalism expectations, including punctuality, attendance, dress, and respectful communication.
• Strong alignment with FSLA’s instructional model and CBED’s mission, vision, and core values.

Working at CBED 

CBED offers meaningful, justice-driven professional experiences that support leadership development, skill-building, and career exploration in education. We affirm racial identity, value lived experience, and believe justice-driven work must be both excellent and sustainable.