Part-Time Academic Support

Job Title: Academic Support  

Program Type: ACE Academy 

Job Type: Part-Time 

Reports To: Site Leader 

 
OVERVIEW OF TENACITY 

Founded in 1999, Tenacity’s mission is to improve the scholastic, character, and physical development of urban youth through a combination of academic instruction and tennis instruction/competition with a focus on life skills. The Ace Academy is an intensive three-year program consisting of academic enrichment, homework help, study/life skills development, and tennis/fitness programming. Working in partnership with the Boston Public Schools, Ace Academy currently delivers an intensive three-year experience for middle school students at our partner schools.  

The Ace Academy offers an Extended Learning Time model or embedded school day model (based on the partner school site) which integrates academic-based programming and supervised tennis and fitness activities in a structured, supportive environment. The activities focus not only on building academic and tennis skills but promoting resilience and 21st-century skills among young people facing challenges on the path to adulthood. Academic support is guided by Ace Site Directors, who work closely with the teachers at the partner schools to help identify the needs and strengths of each of the students. Ace Academy offers an academic curriculum closely aligned with state and city English Language Arts frameworks and aims to support Tenacity students with academic success. 

Each Ace Academy student makes a three-year commitment to attend the program three or four afternoons per week for the school year, each of their sixth, seventh, and eighth grade school years. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Recruitment and enrollment of middle school-aged students for the Ace Academy. 

• Under the leadership of the Site Leader, support a high rate of student retention and site attendance through the offering of consistent and engaging programming. 

• Engage students in all aspects of Tenacity Ace programming. 

• Based on the assigned site, serve as a bus chaperone for student transportation from programming. 

• Participate in regular team meetings focused on quality execution of lesson plans and preparation of materials or equipment. 

• Support site behavior management structures and individualized student support. 

• Participation in the planning and facilitation of Tenacity activities at the assigned site, including ceremonies, field trips, and other activities, which will involve some evenings and/or weekends. 

• Participate in the maintenance of student enrollment and engagement records in the Tenacity data management system. 

• As needed, meet with middle school teachers to support the Literacy Lead in better understanding the work students do in their other classes. 

• Support Family Engagement, under the leadership of the Family Engagement Lead, by reaching out to families and working on family engagement strategy. 

• As needed, push-in to classrooms during the school day that have high concentrations of Tenacity students. 

• Meet with teachers of classes that do Tenacity push-ins to identify how best to support Tenacity students in those classes. 

• During the summer, assist with the Summer Tennis, Reading and Pickleball program. 

• Attend all Tenacity-wide team meetings and events. 

• Support caregiver/family participation in Tenacity and school activities, including open houses, parent/teacher conferences, events, performances, etc.  

• Support the families of 8th graders in the high school selection process and connect families with the College and Career Prep team working with Tenacity’s high school students.  

• Under the leadership of the Literacy Lead, support academic programming by leading small groups of students. 

• Under the leadership of the Rackets and Fitness Lead, support rackets programming by leading station activities. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES 

• Bachelor’s degree a plus, majors in education, social work, human development, or similar fields preferred. 

• An ability to model a “Growth Mindset” for students, other staff, and oneself. 

• Experience working with middle school students, ideally in a capacity that targeted socio-emotional growth. 

• Strong interpersonal, team development, organizational, and verbal/written communication skills. 

• Experience effectively engaging with parents, students, teachers, and principals. 

• Passion for improving the quality of education for children living in low-income, urban communities. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft product suites. 

• Some tennis experience a plus. 

• Driver’s license desired.