2024-25 Junior Seminar Instructor

As a CAST (College and Alumni Support Team) member, this person is responsible for curriculum development and teaching of our “Junior Seminar” course.  Junior Seminar focuses on introducing and familiarizing 11th graders to the postsecondary process and required mindsets (Q1), to preparing for the ACT and ASVAB (Q2 and majority of Q3), to focusing strategically on college and post-secondary readiness in late Spring.  Junior Seminar acts as a precursor to the Senior Seminar course and the two are aligned and co-planned by CAST members.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

• College and Alumni Support
• Post-secondary support and alignment with Senior Seminar
• Teaching fundamentals of letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statements
• Teaching and reinforcing soft and executive functioning skills
• ACT Prep
• ASVAB Prep
• Junior Seminar Curriculum Development and Instruction
• Mock ACT program management

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS:

• Commitment to the growth and development of young people and passion for helping students to reach their potential
• Understanding of difficulties associated with transitioning from high school to college/post-secondary for TSCS’s students
• Knowledge of underlying policy issues regarding college access and success
• Strategic thinker
• Self-starter with strong entrepreneurial drive: takes initiative; comfortable operating in growth mode; can operate self-sufficiently, but also collaboratively as part of a team
• Superb written and oral communication skills
• Ability to design and build a program to meet specified goals
• Familiarity with statistics and strong analytical ability
• Strong instructional expertise and the ability to make practical use of data in the classroom.
• Ability to produce reports in a variety of formats integrating various data sources
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to learn new software applications and systems
• Excellent written and oral communication, planning, and organizational skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to set expectations and follow up with coworkers
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Ability to facilitate various size groups using facilitative leadership skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure
• Ability to work independently and manage-up when needed
• Familiarity and working knowledge of both state and national assessment measures
• Familiarity with ACT college readiness benchmarks
• Ability to review mock ACT assessment data and identify trends and use information to design instruction

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• College and Alumni Support
• CAST Member
• Work with CAST (College and Alumni Support Team) to ensure that all strands of CAST (SGEs, Junior Seminar, Senior Seminar, Alumni Support) are aligned with schools’ mission and the department’s vision and goals.
• Participate in monthly CAST department meetings
• Junior Seminar Teacher
• Plan and execute daily Junior Seminar curriculum (College-going identity/mindset development and ACT Prep) for juniors
• Oversee logistics of juniors and seniors signing up for off-campus ACTs (registration support, fee waivers, calculators, creation of photo identification)
• Work with counselors to plan and execute junior year college-based field trips (case studies and college fair)
• Manage the coordination, implementation and data tracking for three MOCK ACTs for 10th & 11th grade
• Support for SGE Director
• Coordinate SGE fly-in supports for rising seniors
• Facilitate and participate in annual rising junior parent meeting

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

• Demonstrate trustworthiness in dealing in confidential matters.
• Serve as appropriate role model for TSCS colleagues, students, staff, and parents.
• Engage in all TSCS meetings in a professional manner.