Educator Advisor

THE POSSIBLE ZONE

BOSTON, MA

Full Time/Exempt

The Possible Zone (TPZ), a nonprofit organization, seeks an Educator Advisor to lead students through TPZ's Entrepreneurship curriculum and engage students in targeted college-career readiness through our Pathways Advisor.  The ideal candidate has experience teaching a group of high school students and facilitation with young adults.

Educator-Advisors should expect to contribute ideas to TPZ's program development and ongoing curriculum design. This role also requires flexible scheduling, since TPZ's in-person programming runs school day and after-school (work schedule is 11am-7 pm or 8am - 4 pm depending on need) and Mondays - Fridays throughout the year. There may be occasions for a weekend experience, e.g.: staff retreat or event; however, those will be communicated well in advance to account for planning and coordination.

ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ZONE:

What if all young people could follow their dreams? What if they had the opportunity to design

and launch a company or social-venture they were passionate about? What if they knew what

an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, industrial designer, data scientist, marketing executive,

electrical engineer, biotech researcher, advanced manufacturer, roboticist, game designer,

journalist, nonprofit leader or mayor does and why? What if they were given the opportunity to

intern in these positions and work settings while still in high school? And what if they had the

chance to learn the foundational professional and technical skills needed to succeed in any of

these careers? And very importantly, what if they develop a mindset, where their imagination

and creativity can be fully explored, where everything is possible and where no boundaries

exist? Would young people believe they could pursue these careers or any others they choose?

Would they become what they had dreamed?

At The Possible Zone, our resounding answer is YES! We are on a journey to develop a

transformative model and facility in the heart of Boston’s most diverse and youth-populated

communities.

TPZ is an eleven-year-old non-profit organization that has served well over 1,000 students with

programming, internships and advisory services during high school toward the mission of

economic equity. Our program has demonstrated strong impact in terms of high school

graduation, matriculation into post-secondary education and careers, and strong Social

Emotional Learning and Identity Development. As we further expand into Boston, TPZ

Programming will catalyze a Boston Community Ecosystem that will include students, parents,

high schools, community organizations, large corporations, local entrepreneurs, technology

companies, venture capitalists, and postsecondary education institutions. Our intent is to join

and continue to enhance a Student Ecosystem in Jackson Square and surrounding communities

that are similar to those that have emerged in other Greater Boston areas such as Kendall Square

and the Seaport District. Collectively we will dream, learn, work, and ultimately create leadership

opportunities for economic mobility and prosperity for our students and their surrounding

community. Importantly, TPZ is highly committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we

do. And as we establish success in our Boston Headquarters, we will scale our efforts to replicate

TPZ’s blueprint at a National level.

We envision a program and space that serves tens-of-thousands of students over the next

decade(s). When a student enters the program, they will be:

… greeted, coached, taught, counseled and supported by highly trained, caring staff and

partners in entrepreneurship and business, leadership and team building, passion and

perseverance, learning and accountability and empathy and integrity.

… challenged to pursue their passions and launch ventures in everything from electronics,

software, digital media, services, fashion, food, to consumer goods

… equipped with the life skills essential to thrive in the emerging economy

… building social networks through connection to professional mentoring and internships with

hundreds of local companies

… supported when needed through wrap-around services in academic tutoring, ESL, mental

health, food security, and college success by partner organizations.

Ultimately, through their experiences and growth at TPZ, and with our partners, our students will

be prepared and inspired to attend college, alternative post-secondary education and launch

careers in their community, where they will pursue their passions in business, STEAM,

Community and Entrepreneurial organizations.

Our students - all students - deserve to pursue their passions and achieve economic equity.

CURRENT SCALING (WHAT’S NEXT?)

In 2022, TPZ opened a 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center that can serve up to 1,000 students annually. The organization employs 70+ professionals with plans to grow in Boston and beyond in the coming years. TPZ offers a strong professional development ethos; a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, innovative curriculum pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Educator-Advisors will teach groups of high school students in our school day and after-school program, supported by STEAM experts or other skilled adults. Utilizing TPZ's Entrepreneurship curriculum, instructors will facilitate students’ engagement in design-thinking, ideation, iteration, prototyping, and development of a business plan and product. Educator-Advisors will also facilitate a small group advisory where they will provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning, identify post-secondary pathways, set goals, and compile an e-portfolio to share with external audiences. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively engage learners in Entrepreneurship and Advisory learning experiences, including: developing a business idea, product, plan, and pitch to external stakeholders; and reflecting on progress towards TPZ's SEL, identity, and college-career readiness competencies.
• Cultivate a strong community within TPZ's learning spaces, meaning: understand the science of learning and how to promote students’ belonging by establishing shared norms, relationships, and routines that create a safe and brave space to take risks.
• Engage in planning sessions in collaboration with other Educator-Advisors and STEAM technician/makerspace manager to prepare for learning experiences and reflect on learning (to inform lessons and curriculum planning)
• Engage in ongoing department specific and organization-wide professional learning, including: bi-weekly sessions with the Program Team, 1-1 coaching cycles with Program leaders; training on STEAM and maker skills.
• Contribute to the design of TPZ's next generation curriculum 
• Support students in the development of their e-portfolio that documents their progress throughout their experience at TPZ
• Track and monitor student progress towards TPZ’s core competencies, including: problem-solving, tech agency, teamwork, design thinking, communication, and others. 
• Collect, analyze, and use student data to drive high quality student experiences and outcomes
• Collaborate with the Development team to engage external volunteers in programmatic events
• Effectively use TPZ’s systems (SIS and LMS) to track, monitor, and update student information each semester 
• Participate in weekly Eship / Advisory meetings 

​​​A successful first year in this role will include:

• Effectively teach and manage a cohort of students through TPZ’s Entrepreneurship Program
• Gain a deeper understanding and comfort with TPZ’s makerspace tools and equipment
• Collaborate with TPZ staff across various departments such as Development, Research & Evaluation, and Student Support to ensure high quality student experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional Experience: At least 3 years of experience working with high school students in either formal classrooms/schools or informal settings (for instance, youth development, camp counselor)
• Instructional approaches:  experience engaging youth from under-resourced communities in ways that are culturally-responsive, project-based, and competency-based, with attention to the whole-child, SEL and identity development, and building a strong culture and community

Content knowledge: Experience in 1 or more of the following:

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit that inspires students to explore passions and dreams while providing the scaffolds or supports to actualize them .
• Commitment to the success of every learner; have a growth mindset and self-awareness 
• A courageous learner, design-thinker, problem-solver, and ignite these qualities in others.
• Create a growth-promoting culture that is brave and safe; effectively manage learning experiences. 
• Strong facilitation; you believe learning is an active process, and support learners in driving their learning. 
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Embraces change and navigates multi-cultural spaces with openness and awareness.

Compensation & Benefits:

The Possible Zone offers a robust compensation and benefits package including high-quality

health benefits and an employer contribution to your 401(k) plan.

$80K - $85K commensurate with experience

DEI Statement:

We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth,

success and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff and communities, their

life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) —

and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.

We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities and lived experience is a

strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve.

Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are

intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be

themselves.

We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Zone

community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals

biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment

to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our

opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways

that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.

COVID Vaccination Policy

The Possible Zone is requiring that all employees receive a primary series of COVID-19

vaccination as well as a booster dose. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least

two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen, and receives a

booster dose when eligible. In order to be qualified for employment at The Possible Zone, final

candidates must comply with the vaccination requirement or receive an approved exemption.

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