“The fact is that given the challenges we face, education doesn't need to be reformed -- it needs to be transformed. The key to this transformation is not to standardize education, but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions.” ― Ken Robinson, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

WHY TEACH AT AVENUES?

There is no place quite like Avenues. We are a top-tier school in New York City whose mission is to educate world-wise leaders for the 21st century. Our faculty bring widely diverse experiences, but we are all committed to creating a unique educational experience together. We foster a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship, and deep collaboration. We teach and learn through challenging interdisciplinary projects. And we offer unparalleled possibilities for professional learning prospects.

MASTERY LEARNING SYSTEM

The Mastery Learning System (MLS) is a special, home-grown program for Upper Grades students (9-12) on the NYC campus. Based upon current research in the fields of education, human learning and psychology, the MLS is nothing short of a revolution in education. MLS students exchange half their traditional classes in their school day for time, space and teacher support to design complex, interdisciplinary projects. Our singular goal is to develop the next generation of leading experts and polymaths who–as per Avenues’ vision–are “uniquely equipped to understand and solve global-scale problems.”

WHAT YOU'LL DO

We are seeking a Mastery Learning System faculty member to join our team. Since the first pilot of the MLS in 2017-2018, we have continued to develop this experience and are thrilled with the progress we’ve made: Our enrollment has increased steadily over the years, and we have worked diligently to refine both the program itself and the tools we use in it. We know that there is more to do to take the experience to the next level; so, we continue to view our work in start-up mode.

MLS faculty are typically experienced educators or individuals with commensurate teaching/coaching experience whose background and range of life-experience can only be described as polymathic. MLS students spend approximately 50% of their day in an open, collaborative work environment. As such, MLS faculty spend the bulk of their day: 1) acting as project sponsors, providing feedback on student work and 2) working as life-coaches, helping students make sense of their individual progress across the years. As a member of our team, you will also collaborate with a small team of MLS colleagues to build a thriving culture of excellence.

Our team is obsessed with bettering our practices through research. When you join our team, you will be helping us develop a cutting-edge program that potentially changes the world of education. You should be prepared to work like you’re making a difference… because you are.

As an Mastery Learning System faculty member, you will:

• Sponsor individual and group project work, helping students navigate the space between where they are and where they want to be
• Conduct regular one-on-one (O3) and MLS house meetings with students,guiding and tracking their individual progress over time
• Mentor students as they pursue ambitious interdisciplinary projects spanning science, humanities, technology, and the arts
• Guide students through cycles of inquiry, critique, revision and reflection
• Provide thoughtful feedback to students on their work in a timely manner
• Manage dozens of projects over the year that stretch across various traditional disciplines, e.g. Science, English, History and the Arts
• Evaluate student final projects in alignment with their project proposal and their learning in our Avenues World Elements
• Contribute, as a member of the MLS faculty team, to the MLS and to other attending Mastery experiences at the school

WHAT YOU BRING

• A polymath who has acquired a number of skills and content specializations
• A life-long learner who is intensely curious about the world
• A coach who successfully builds and fosters positive relationships with students
• An experienced educator (or a person with commensurate teaching/coaching experiences) who has fallen in love with the science and art of teaching
• A reliable teammate who prizes collaboration and takes responsibility for their work
• An individual who is comfortable and, perhaps, thrives in ambiguity and uncertainty
• A calculated risk-taker who is exhilarated by trying new experiences and testing out new ideas

We welcome applicants with a background in Environmental and Life Sciences whose academic and/or professional paths cross other disciplines–including those who have worked in research, design, entrepreneurship, media and other creative fields.

If hired for this position, the annual salary range for this position is between $72,000 - $112,433. The salary may vary depending on your experience level and skills. Competitive benefits for benefits eligible roles include medical, dental, life insurance, 401K savings plan, generous paid time off, family forming benefits, health and wellness benefits and more.

Avenues is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our organization. We strive to uphold a culture in which every colleague feels that they belong, are trusted, and are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities or groups to apply. Avenues offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package.

Avenues upholds the highest standards for safeguarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of children. As an essential aspect of this commitment, all offers are contingent upon successful completion of careful reference and background checks.