Graduation Candidate Advocate in Pensacola, Florida at Acceleration Academies

About Acceleration Academies

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.

The Role The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered.

This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management.

Key Responsibilities

Enrollment

Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new studentsProvide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success

Retention & Attendance

Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendanceImplement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach including texts, calls, and home visitsIdentify root causes of disengagement and work to remove barriers, not just complete outreach attemptsUtilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records

Academics

Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionalsProctor unit tests one-on-one and support small group proctoring in the virtual school settingCollaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans including incentive programsPartner with team members to problem-solve student challenges and improve engagement outcomesEngage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices

Behavior Management & Site Operations

Support daily site-level behavior management including monitoring noise level, phone use, and language standardsAssist with check-in table and comeback corner monitoring on rotation with the broader teamDe-escalate student conflict or irate situations calmly and professionally without escalating tensionsHold Graduate Candidates to high expectations while validating their experiences and identifying solutionsParticipate in academy meetings and school or community eventsSupport home visits and local travel as needed to re-engage studentsPerform additional duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy

Advocacy

Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support

What We're Looking For

Education: Associate degree preferred, but non-traditional life experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered

Experience: 2+ years of relevant experience preferred; candidates with lived experience navigating hardship, working while in school, or overcoming barriers to education will also be considered

Availability: Must be available to work the afternoon/closing shift consistently; this is a year-round, onsite program and daily presence is a non-negotiable expectation

Relationship Building: Strong ability to build genuine, trust-based relationships with students and families while holding Graduate Candidates accountable

De-escalation: Comfortable managing disrespect, conflict, and escalated situations without escalating in return; ability to remain calm and solution-focused under pressure

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; strong outreach skills including consistent follow-up with students, families, and team members

Technology: Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools

Passion: A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed

Preferred Qualifications

Teaching certification (active or in progress), certified candidates may be eligible to serve as teacher of record for select coursesBilingual skills (Spanish preferred)Experience in non-traditional or alternative educational settingsComfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches

Why Join Us?

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you will directly impact students' lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation.

We Value Our Team's Well-Being

Competitive Compensation: Starting at $21.50/hour, commensurate with experience

Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match

Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options

Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable FTO

Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources

Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team

Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth

Bonus Opportunities: Performance-based bonuses celebrating milestones and achievements

Physical & Work Environment

Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use handsOccasionally lift up to 20 poundsWork in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during eventsOccasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage

Ready to Make a Difference?If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere.

Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration AcademiesAgencies presenting candidates must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement and be formally engaged by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies.

Equal Opportunity EmployerAcceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include:

• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours

• On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite)

• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations

• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace

If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role.