Organization Overview
Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s transformative two-pronged program launches talented but underserved middle school students on the path to college, while at the same time inspiring high school and college students to become educators, particularly in the communities that need the most help. Breakthrough Silicon Valley stands out among the many efforts to improve educational outcomes for underserved students, reaching beyond the typical goals of proficiency and deeply changing the lives of individuals and their communities. While ambitious in its goals, BSV works: thanks to their experience with BSV, an incredible 99% of our graduates are accepted to four-year colleges and 88% of our Teaching Fellows (2017) are more interested in an education career.
Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s tuition-free program provides year-round out of school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom are first in their family to go to college, come from low-income families, or attend under-performing schools. Breakthrough also provides a consummate professional development experience in education by giving talented high school and college students the opportunity to design and teach classes under the direction of education professionals.
Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that establishes and promotes high standards for, ensures the success of, and acts as the national voice of 25 Breakthrough sites across the country.
Position Overview
The Middle School Program Coordinator (MSPC) coordinates and facilitates programs for our middle school students to ensure they are prepared for academic success in rigorous college preparatory high school programs. The MSPC works closely with students and parents as they navigate the middle school years and holds students to high academic and social standards. The MSPC will consistently advise students and families throughout the school year both academically, socially to ensure students are on track for college through the middle school transition years. The MSPC will also execute the after-school program for our middle-school students, maintaining an engaging, dynamic learning environment, while also focusing on student advising that is critical to student success. The MSPC supports the Middle School Summer Program by coordinating the many logistics that are necessary to the execution of this program.
Responsibilities and Functions
Student Advising
● Perform student grade monitoring and academic advising, and implement necessary interventions (e.g. conferences, tutoring, disciplinary actions) for all 7th and 8th grade students at one district site (approximately 100-120 students).
● Maintain student performance, attendance, and survey data utilizing Salesforce platform.
● Conduct a minimum of one one-on-one conference with each family throughout the school year, with subsequent follow-up conferences as needed.
● Maintain relationships with students and families throughout the year through phone calls, emails, and in-person interactions to ensure that all students are meeting programmatic goals.
● Communicate with teachers and other relevant school partners to update them on student progress and issues, and discuss interventions when necessary.
After School Program
● Oversee execution of After-School program, with a specific focus on STEM-based problem-solving activities, high school options, and developing college-going behaviors and mindsets. Plan and execute occasional weekend and evening community-building events for students and families.
● Coordinate tutoring for middle school students.
● Under the direction of Director of Admissions and Middle School Programs (DAMSP), plan and execute the After-School Program facilitators’ training.
● Communicate school year calendar to families via mailings, emails, newsletters, and phone calls.
● Communicate with schools to update teachers, administrators, and counselors about BSV, participating students, upcoming events, and staff contact information.
● Oversee the day-to-day work of Breakthrough Leadership Program (BLP) intern.
● Coordinate procurement and distribution of student snacks.
Summer Academic Program
● Co-lead one of the middle school summer programs to ensure quality programming, daily operation of program, and student and family engagement, while maintaining Breakthrough community and culture.
● Meet weekly with leadership team to oversee overall success of summer program and student participation.
● Oversee the summer co-curriculum, focusing on developing students’ social-emotional learning skills.
● Schedule students into summer classes.
● Oversee day-to-day work of Breakthrough Leadership Program (BLP) Intern.
Other Responsibilities
● Support the student admissions process by delivering recruitment presentations at local schools, reading applications, and participating in new family interviews.
● Assist with summer teaching fellow recruitment and selection process.
● Produce reports on program quality indicators such as student grades, attendance, GPA and other summaries and reports, assisting with grant-writing and program evaluation.
● Collaborate with the Development (fundraising) Team and Executive Director with fundraising, marketing, and board-related activities as necessary.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will bring to the position a variety of attributes, knowledge and skills.
● Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.
●Spanish-speaking preferred
● Experience with curriculum development, student assessment, data-collection, and program evaluation preferred.
● Two or more years of experience working in youth development.
● Ability to work in environments and communities with people from diverse backgrounds (ethnic, socio-economic, educational, etc.)
● Dynamic, entrepreneurial leader able to focus on program mission and details of program administration and operations
● Excellent communicator, able to write and speak persuasively
● Open minded with integrity and a sense of humor
● Knowledge of and experience in working with public school districts preferred
● As Breakthrough is an “out of school time program” candidates should anticipate working hours of 11am - 7pm Monday-Friday and occasional weekends during the months of September through May, and 7:30am- 4:30pm in June, July, and August.