Job description

Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School is a community high school in Bushwick, Brooklyn. We opened our doors in August 2013 and we now have 496 students in grades 9-12. We have graduated six classes, every year over 90%. Our students come from more than fifty different middle schools, including traditional public, parochial, and public charter schools. Some are advanced students coming from magnet schools; others are beginning English Language Learners. What they all have in common is a desire to succeed.

Some key aspects of MESA’s school model are:

● Intentional Teaching—MESA uses a standards-based grading system, which makes data understandable and accessible. This enables teachers to create targeted, focused instruction, and helps students understand and track their own progress. MESA teachers love data or at the very least, aren’t afraid of it!

● Intentional Support—MESA teachers have a minimum of rote administrative duties in order to better focus on planning, instruction, and assessment. Teachers receive ongoing coaching and feedback. MESA is committed to collaboratively developing and growing its teachers. Dedicated time for co-teaching, department and grade team planning is built into the school schedule.

● Intentional PD—MESA has a comprehensive professional development calendar that includes sessions on instructional practices, school culture as well as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Teachers are also encouraged to seek out PD opportunities outside of the school building.

● Intentional Culture—MESA’s advisory model connects small groups of entering freshmen with a teacher-advisor for all 4 years of high school. Advisors provide guidance on academic progress and are mentors, facilitators and positive influencers. Students are recognized by their teachers regularly for academic achievement and effort and are incentivized to meet school expectations around attendance, punctuality and preparedness. MESA uses the Love and Logic model to address disciplinary concerns.

● Intentional Relationships—MESA knows that all caregivers want their children to succeed. MESA enlists families as partners in their childrens’ education through regular communication, meetings, workshops, and access to student attendance information and grades. More than 85% of MESA caregivers attend the initial parent-teacher conference of the school year.

● Intentional Scheduling—MESA’s school day starts and ends later than most DOE schools, as research indicates that a late start helps high-school students succeed. MESA’s calendar has 187 days of instruction, as well as dedicated PD and grading days. The calendar and earlier start allows for “Intersession,” during
Spring Break where students receive enrichment, skill remediation, or Regents preparation.

The Manager of Post-Secondary Success plays a crucial role in ensuring that all MESA graduates persist and succeed in their chosen post-secondary path; this may be four- year college, two-year college, or a career. The Manager of Post-Secondary Success proactively supports students for two years after graduation from MESA, and also provides one-off “troubleshooting” support for alumni as needed. The Manager of Post-Secondary Success reports to the College Office Department Leader, but works closely with the Principal and the Co-Executive Directors as well.

Specific Responsibilities

● Conduct one-on-one counseling and support once per month by phone, email, online messaging to help students navigate academic, financial, and life obstacles they encounter while in college or other post-secondary program (including, but not limited to: financial aid issues, school transfers).

● Identify early and support students in “red flag situations” that increase likelihood of dropout, such as loss of financial aid, family crisis, etc.

● Identify key partners at all post-secondary institutions that serve MESA graduates and develop relationships with them to further the support of MESA alumni.

● Work closely with College Counseling team to push into and teach College
Bound class when necessary.

● Leverages existing relationships with colleges or establishes new ones to support student success.

● Work closely with Data and Analytics Manager to develop and maintain accurate data and tracking systems to reflect student progress, using both
National Clearinghouse data as well as internal tracking.

● Maintain up-to-date contact information for graduates and families.
● Organize alumni events both for social purposes and for purposes of developing network of MESA alumni that current MESA students can tap into. Leverage alumni network to further support upcoming MESA graduates.

● Integrate alumni into school functions and events (i.e. speaking opportunities to students, internships, mentoring MESA students, College Fair Day, Cultural
Celebrations.)

● Work closely with Co-Executive Directors to support alumni through MESA’s 13th grade initiative. Lead workshops for alumni.

● Provide particular support for undocumented students (financial barriers, political barriers, entering workforce, maintaining a job, etc)

● Addressing ‘summer melt’ by being the point of contact for alumni.
● Other duties as assigned by Principal, School Director, or Co-Executive Directors

Qualifications

● At least three years in either college advising, college admissions, or post- secondary support.

● Experience working with population of first-generation college-going students from urban setting.

● Deep understanding of how to navigate college systems including residential life, academic registrar, office of student life, and particularly financial aid.

● Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and multitask in a fast- paced environment.

● Excellent professional judgement and instincts.

● Ability to communicate with a variety of different stakeholders clearly and effectively.

● Willingness to travel a few weeks per year to support students who are away at college.

● Minimum Bachelor’s Degree
● Spanish-speaker a plus

Salary: Highly competitive, commensurate with experience.

To apply:* Please email your resume and cover letter explaining specifically* why you would be a good fit for MESA to Arthur Samuels, Executive Director, at
info@mesacharter.org with the subject heading “ Manager of Post-Secondary Success.”

APPLY BY EMAIL ONLY. Due to the nature of the position and the volume of applications received, MESA will not be able to reply to all submissions. MESA will contact candidates with next steps.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

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