2023-2024 Academic Specialist

Scholars Unlimited is a community-based non-profit program helping young learners master critical literacy skills. Our mission is to foster academic, social, and emotional growth for children living in metro Denver communitie. Our after-school program is geared toward grades K-5 and includes reading, SEL, STEM, and recreation/enrichment components. These programs are educational, engaging, and effective.

We are currently recruiting Academic Specialists for our after-school session during the 2023-2024 school year. Academic Specialists will work with students assisting with literacy and social emotional learning curriculum.   Scholars Unlimited's program will start September 5, 2023, and end May 10, 2024. The program will be held in our partner schools in Northeast Denver, Southwest Denver, Central Denver, North Aurora, Sheridan, and Westminster. Hours of the program will vary with the school's dismissal bell times. Typically the hours may start as early as 2:00 pm and go as late as 6:00 pm. The Academic Specialist position can work up to 3 hrs per day with a total of 15 hrs a week.

Under the supervision of the Site Director and/or Multi Site Manager Academic Specialist provide SEL and/or support literacy instruction for our K-5th grade after school students.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to our students

• Provide positive opportunities that engage students to express, and create

• Be actively engaged with the students at all times 

• Provide, and support, opportunities for students to learn new skills

• Provide guidance and instruction to individual students or small groups

• Sit side-by-side with individual students whether they are learning literacy with the teacher or working on the computer with Lexia and/or Amira, our online reading programs

• Provide SEL instruction 

• The Academic Specialist may also need to be side-by-side with the student during recreation/enrichment activities 

• High expectations with critical classroom management skills

• Attend all training and staff meetings

• Provide safe and quality care to students

• Adhere to all Scholars Unlimited policies as stated in the staff manual

• Allow for flexibility in order to support the team and program as needed

• Other duties as assigned

**Committed to following all Policies and procedures and implementing the best practices of Scholars Unlimited as stated in our staff handbook

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a minimum of 18 years of age, must have at least 3 months (460 hours) of part time or equivalent satisfactory and verifiable experience with school-age children (ages 5-12). Volunteer work may also apply. (This can be shown through a letter from a previous employer.) Must be able to complete/attend all paid pieces of training.

Background check and fingerprinting required. 

Desired Skills and Experience: 

• Experience with instruction

• Able to work scheduled program hours

• Able to attend/complete all trainings

• Experience working with elementary-age students

• In good standing with Scholars Unlimited

Benefits include: 

Holiday pay

Snow day pay

1 week paid for Winter break 

1 week paid for Spring break

Compensation: $20.00/hr 

Note: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.