Passages Teacher – Androscoggin and Cumberland County

Passages Teacher engages enrolled students in the Passages curriculum of 24 core skills and completion of the final Passage project; meets with students weekly and maintains contact with students via home visits, electronic communication and by phone; dedicated to a strengths-based learning approach, committed to educational equity and ensuring just outcomes for marginalized students, educates through a social justice lens utilizing individualized learning plans developed in collaboration with the student to meet their learning needs; uses adaptive teaching methods and strategies, as needed, for each student; works collaboratively with the Passages staff to address the needs of the program and the schools; researches, practices, assesses, and shares proven teaching strategies and/or practices with school colleagues; assists in creating and maintaining a proven curriculum that addresses the educational needs of teen parents/students; updates, maintains, and provides evidence of student learning in their official student record. Passages Teacher must have reliable transportation, be willing to provide transportation for students as needed, and be comfortable driving a school minivan.

This is a grant funded position for the school year of 2023-2024, with the possibility of continued employment after the school year ends. Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures is a Maine DoE funded project to work with court-involved youth in our service communities.  

Wayfinder Schools offer relational learning programs that transform the nature of a high school education by providing students with the skills and experience necessary to discover their strengths, connect with their families, practice personal responsibility, and contribute to their communities, which culminate in awarding a high school diploma from the State of Maine.

Wayfinder Schools is an equal opportunity employer and institution of learning, and discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity or any other protected class is strictly prohibited.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with teacher certification, 3-5 years of classroom teaching in alternative education preferred
• Child rearing, social work, and/or counseling experience preferred
• Possesses excellent computer skills with proficiency in Mac environments and with databases, experience with Google and Zoom preferred
• Familiarity with Relational Education, Restorative Justice, Positive Youth Development, and Learner-Centered Teaching practices
• Experience creating Individualized Education Plans, using adaptive teaching strategies based on strengths-based and multiple intelligences teaching models
• Committed to educational equity and ensuring just outcomes for marginalized students
• Ability to teach in home settings and/or in all manners of locations
• Experience working with non-traditional students preferred
• Must live and work in Androscoggin or Cumberland County

Personal Qualifications

• Inspires enthusiasm, trust, interest, and engagement in student’s own learning, and has a respectful, non-judgmental, and supportive instructional style
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Detail oriented team player with great follow-through
• Patient, compassionate, and kind
• Possesses self-confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of humor
• Demonstrates maturity in interactions with students, family members, staff, board members, and others

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain assigned student caseload, which may increase or decrease during transition of graduates and incoming students
• Maintain individualized student records, progress reports and other reporting requirements as needed
• Meet weekly and maintain progress with enrolled students
• Develop individualized student learning plans for each student
• Utilize a variety of learner-centered teaching strategies which honor different learning styles, build self-confidence and taps into students’ multiple intelligences
• Provide transportation as needed for students and the program
• Be willing to help out beyond the academic arena as needed with students within reason – may include, but not limited to, attend case management meetings, court appointments, doctor appointments or other needs of the students
• Participate in and help plan weekly Passages staff meetings
• Meet regularly with supervisor
• Participate in fundraising events on behalf of Passages and the Schools as needed and/or requested
• Attend continuing professional development courses as required and provided by Wayfinder Schools
• Any other duties as assigned

Employment and FLSA Status: This is a full-time, year round, salaried, nonexempt, benefits eligible position which will generally work weekdays. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Teachers will be off for 9 weeks in the summer.

Please send cover letter and resume to info@wayfinderschools.org