Preceptors

Preceptors are part of a creative, entrepreneurial team that is reinventing high school for the young men who need it most. Each Preceptor is 100% responsible for a Learning Team of 12 to 20 students. Preceptors are guides, mentors, teachers and role models. They work with students, families and other partners to develop academic and character goals, and engage students and others to address in- and out-of-school barriers to attaining those goals.

Preceptors do not have to be certified educators, but must be successful adults with demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and care for young men. Preceptors will teach a daily character curriculum; support and tutor students throughout the school day as they earn their high school credits using on-line curricula; contribute to the school as their unique skills and experience dictate; and work with a team of driven reformers to create an organization that can transform outcomes for urban youth.

Preceptors’ salaries begin at $38,000 and are set based on individual qualifications and responsibilities. All staff can participate in health benefit programs and retirement plans.

Preceptors work year-round, on a quarterly calendar that provides more than six weeks paid vacation. Preceptors are also expected to be on-call for student needs and emergencies after school hours.

All Preceptors must pass a NY state background check. All staff wear a school uniform (slacks, jacket, tie) or professional dress.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the success of a Learning Team of 12 to 16 students, supporting them fully to develop and achieve high goals for academic, character and career success
• Build effective, trusting relationships with students’ families and other supporters, including providing regular reports on student progress and addressing barriers to student success
• Support and tutor students in academics, including setting academic and character goals
• Work with families and partners to understand and address the needs of students, develop support systems and address crises and issues that inhibit student success, including creating and implementing attendance, behavior and academic intervention plans (in collaboration with other school staff)
• Contribute to the needs of students and the school in ways that draw on your unique skills and life experience. This might include, for example, using specific talents in an academic discipline, technology, sports, art or music, neighborhood partnerships, youth development, or career pathways such as IT, Advanced Manufacturing or Health Careers.
• Integrate character education and school values into every aspect of instruction
• Contribute to the professional community, embody school culture, represent the school in the community, and work with the team to continuously improve the structures, systems, processes and culture of the school.

Qualifications

• “Fire in the belly”; passion for creating opportunities and developing leadership for urban youth; commitment to social justice
• Commitment to Vertus’s values, culture and goals
• Record of achievement evidenced by a demonstrated record of professional accomplishments
• Understanding of the strengths and challenges of students and their families and communities
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate young men and to build effective relationships with students, families and other supporters and to engage community resources in service of students’ needs
• Demonstrated literacy and numeracy
• Proven ability to lead a team in high stress situations and develop all team members to support the team
• Active learner with a demonstrated record of effective collaboration to solve intractable problems
• Demonstrated ability to accept and immediately implement critical feedback
• Ability to handle the intensity and flexibility required to work in a high-performing school and remain calm, collegial, organized and reliable under pressure
• Systems thinker with strong analytical skills
• Ambition to go above and beyond the requirements of the job to innovate in education and advance as an educator and a leader