Upward Bound Instructor - Seasonal at Avila University – Kansas City, Missouri

POSITION SUMMARY
The Upward Bound Instructor is responsible for providing academic instruction, guidance, and support to eligible students to help them excel academically, develop essential skills, and prepare for postsecondary education. This role plays a vital part in ensuring the academic success and college readiness of program participants.

This is a Part-Time, seasonal role that follows the Upward Bound academic calendar. Instruction occurs on the second Saturday of each month from October through April during the academic year. In addition, instructors teach during the Summer Excellence Institute, typically held Monday through Friday from June to July. Core subject classes are scheduled in the morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), and elective courses are offered in the afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM).

Responsibilities:
• Develop and deliver academic instruction in core subjects, such as math, science, English, and other relevant areas.
• Create engaging lesson plans and educational activities that align with program goals and participants' needs.
• Adapt teaching strategies to address the individual needs of each student.
• Teach study skills, time management techniques, and test preparation strategies to enhance students' learning and exam performance.
• Provide guidance on effective note-taking, research, and problem-solving.
• Plan and implement enrichment activities and projects to expose students to advanced academic concepts and real-world applications.
• Foster critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity.
• Continuously monitor and assess students' academic progress, performance, and skill development.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify students who may benefit from additional support.
• Refer students to support services and resources, such as additional tutoring, counseling, or academic advising.
• Encourage students to utilize available educational resources.
• Maintain accurate records of instruction, assessments, and student progress.
• Prepare reports and assessments to measure the impact of academic support on student success.
• Stay informed about best practices in instruction and academic support.
• Participate in training and professional development activities to enhance teaching skills.
• Saturday Seminars: Teach one Saturday session per month during the academic year.
• Summer Excellence Institute: Be available to teach during the summer program, typically held from June through July.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in education, subject-specific fields, or a related area required (a master's degree may be preferred).
• Relevant experience in teaching, tutoring, or providing academic support.
• Strong knowledge of the subjects to be instructed.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Understanding of the unique needs of low-income, potential first-generation college students.
• Familiarity with federal regulations and compliance requirements for Upward Bound programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, safe, and just environment for students.
• Multilingual skills highly preferred.
• Ability to contribute to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Successful candidates should be committed to contributing to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Benefits:
This is a full-time position, eligible for the usual and customary benefits. Avila University’s comprehensive benefit package includes a generous holiday schedule, tuition remission for employee and dependents, vacation and sick leave, employee assistance program, retirement benefits and health insurance.

The Community:
Kansas City, a two-state metropolitan area with a population of nearly two million, offers a wide variety of cultural, educational and social life opportunities. Avila University, a Catholic university founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.

Additional Employment Information:
Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran's status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

You must be at least 18 years of age to be employed by Avila University.

All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)” and produce requested documentation after employment.

In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the university's annual security and crime statistics report is available at https://www.avila.edu/campus-resources/campus-safety. A copy of this report is available upon request from the Campus Safety Office in the Whitfield building any weekday between 8am and 5pm.

Avila University requires the successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.