Kite’s Nest is a center for liberatory education in Hudson, NY. It is our mission to build the collective capacity of young people in our community to bring about healing, personal transformation, social connection, and systemic change. We work in a deeply collaborative environment that is committed to embodying the values that we seek to foster in the world. Everyone who joins our staff is part of a family of educators, activists, thinkers and artists who are committed both to our work with young people and to nurturing a healthy and supportive organizational culture.
Note: Kite’s Nest is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people identifying as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, immigrants, and people with working class backgrounds to apply. If you’re excited about a role, but not sure if you meet all the qualifications, apply anyway! We look forward to learning about you.
We are currently hiring for the following position:
SJLA Lead Educator (Spring): Work closely with our Director of Youth Power to co-lead the Spring season of our Social Justice Leadership Academy. See below for details and link to application.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please fill out our volunteer application form and we’ll be in touch as volunteer opportunities arise. We also have several paid teen employment positions open each season, which you can learn about here. Join our mailing list to be the first to know about future opportunities. Coming to community events is a great way to build relationship and get to know us.
SJLA LEAD EDUCATOR (SPRING)
Location: Hudson, NY
Duration: February 10th, 2025 - June 7th, 2024
Schedule: Wednesdays + Fridays, 2:00pm - 7:30pm, plus weekly planning time (approx. 8 hours per week)
Social Justice Leadership Academy (SJLA), is a leadership program for teens (ages 13-19) based on the principles of social justice and youth-led change. SJLA brings together local youth from different backgrounds, primarily youth of color growing up in Hudson.The program will take place two days a week, with a specific focus for each day: Wednesdays) youth will collaborate with educators and partnering orgs to creating a movie campaign focused on Housing Justice advocacy in Hudson, NY, leading interviews with local community members and elders that will culminate at the end of the semester. Fridays) youth will use art-making skills to create visual assets reflecting our visions for activism and housing justice. We will explore and imagine what makes us feel empowered to fight for our freedom and liberation. The SJLA Spring semester will explore themes related to identity, leadership, power, education justice, gender justice and more.
We are seeking a Lead Educator for our Spring Social Justice Leadership Academy. This position will work closely with our Director of Youth Power to co-lead SJLA sessions. You will collaborate with a team of educators to design, plan and lead curriculum, including hands-on workshops, group discussions, arts projects, experiential learning activities and field trips. You will serve as a mentor to Youth Fellows building meaningful relationships with youth and community members. As a youth employment program you will also support the compassionate development of youth leaders in the areas of accountability, responsibility and teamwork.
Compensation: This is a Seasonal Contracted Position. Seasonal Flat Rate: $5,050 *
$200 per semester session (approx. 20 sessions) - $4000
$150 for weekly prep meetings with SJLA Director (approx. 10 hours)
$500 for pre-semester planning (approx. 18 hours)
$200 Paid Teacher Training (approx. 10 training hours Dates TBD)
$200 for Expo prep and presentation
* Please Note: This position could be combined with the posted SJLA Lead Educator Summer position. If these two positions are combined a comparable compensation packet would be arranged.
SCHEDULE + RESPONSIBILITIES
Work Schedule: Wednesdays + Fridays, 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Program Times: 3pm-7pm)
Work Schedule will include weekly planning time to be determined with the Director of Youth Power, for a total of approximately 8 hours a week.
Responsibilities:
Lead daily workshops; support with transitions and time keeping
Co-create and facilitate curriculum
Organize group games + team building activities
Support with the overall Safety + Care of participants in program
Provide SEL support and one-on-one student mentorship
Supervise and provide leadership development support for teen staff
Support with supervision and safety during field trips
Help with Direct Action events and other community organizing initiatives
Support youth with community organizing and leading community events
Participate in daily setup and clean-up of our outdoor and/or indoor classrooms
Participate in regular team feedback and planning sessions
Resource management of supplies and materials
Support with our Expo final event Planning
Key Skills:
Humor! Playfulness! Joy! Softness!
Interactive and Engaging Teaching Methods
Restorative Justice Practices
Active Listening
Trust and Rapport Building
Cultural Sensitivity
Strong Understanding of Social Issues
IDEAL CANDIDATE:The ideal candidate has experience as a youth educator working with BIPOC youth, experience with curriculum design and facilitation, has experience as an organizer, has a knowledge and deep grasp of social justice issues/ anti-capitalism/ Liberation struggles and a passion to create communal and systemic change, has knowledge of restorative and transformative justice and conflict resolution skills, has an understanding and practice of healing modalities for themselves and young people, is flexible and adaptable, inventive, and enjoys fun youth centered environments.
HOW TO APPLY: Please complete this form. The form will ask you to upload a cover letter and resume in a PDF format, and to complete a writing sample question. If you have any questions, contact Sam at hello@kitesnest.org
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applicants should apply by January 15th. Interviews will be held the week of January 20th.
Kite’s Nest is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people identifying as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, immigrants, and people with working class backgrounds to apply.