High School Academic Coach

Job Title: High School Academic Coach

Hours Needed: 4.5 hrs/week

Compensation: $18 per hour

Student U is a Durham-based education organization working at the intersection of direct student support and systems transformation. We are students, families, and educators cultivating joyful, academically excellent learning communities so all students thrive in Durham and beyond.

Everyone deserves opportunities in their educational journey that enable them to reach their full potential. As a result of structural racism, poverty and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first‑generation college‑bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We want to change the odds for children in our community.

The Student U Academic Coach provides individualized support for a cohort of 4‑5 middle‑school students attending Durham Public Schools and offers as‑needed coaching support for other middle‑school students in our program. The role includes:

• Meeting with each student twice a week to set goals, track grades, review weekly work plans, organize school materials, and build self‑advocacy skills.
• Coordinating schoolwork support and tutoring as needed, either via direct assistance or referral to content‑specific tutors.
• Guiding students in setting realistic and achievable academic goals and tracking progress.
• Communicating with students’ teachers and other school staff as required.
• Responding to teacher or family questions and providing updates to the Student U support team.
• Participating in family conferences once per semester with the full support team.
• Engaging in additional program support as needed outside of student meetings.
• Attending Academic Coach team meetings and other planned trainings.
• Attending a monthly check‑in with Student U Program Staff to share student progress and brainstorm next steps.

High School Academic Coaches meet in‑person with students at the WG Pearson Center (600 E Umstead St) on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 5:00‑7:00 PM. Administrative work occurs flexibly outside those hours for up to 4.5 hours of total work each week.

• Proven record of developing strong relationships with students.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience working with students in an academic capacity.
• Highly organized and resourceful.
• Comfortable using online tools (Google Drive, online school platforms).
• Dedication to supporting first‑generation students to succeed through high school.
• Excellent organizational skills and high expectations for students and self.
• Resourceful problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Spanish proficiency is preferred but not required.

• A deep personal belief that all students can succeed and a relentless drive to ensure they have the resources and opportunities to do so.
• Commitment to the Student U mission and core values.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers, and staff.
• Flexibility in communication style across multiple environments.
• Ability to develop strong, trusting relationships with students and families.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• High expectations for students and personal performance.
• Resourceful problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working directly with diverse backgrounds.
• Preferred but not required:
  Ability to speak Spanish.