El Puente Taylor Wythe Academic Mentor

The Opportunity El Puente is seeking an engaging, dependable, and community-centered Academic Mentor who is passionate about helping young people strengthen their academic skills, confidence, and love of learning.

The Academic Mentor plays an important role in creating a supportive after-school environment where young people can receive individualized academic assistance, develop stronger study habits, and build the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Through one-on-one support, small-group instruction, literacy development, test preparation, and enrichment activities, the Academic Mentor helps participants work toward greater academic independence and achievement.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with young people, understands that every student learns differently, and believes academic support should be encouraging, culturally responsive, and connected to the whole development of a young person.

Working closely with program leadership, school-based staff, families, and fellow youth development staff, the Academic Mentor helps create an environment where participants feel supported, challenged, and empowered to reach their goals.

About El Puente Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered human rights organization rooted in Brooklyn, New York and Puerto Rico, using the arts, education, and environmental justice as tools to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice.

For over four decades, El Puente has been building community-led movements grounded in self-determination, where young people, families, and communities are not only participants, but leaders shaping the future of their neighborhoods and beyond. Through a holistic leadership and membership model, the organization creates spaces where culture, identity, education, and activism intersect.

El Puente's work spans Youth Leadership Centers across Brooklyn, a nationally recognized public high school, environmental justice initiatives, and organizing efforts that place community voice at the center of change. From local neighborhoods to global conversations, the organization continues to stand at the forefront of movements for equity, climate justice, and human rights.

At its core, El Puente is deeply relational, intergenerational, and community-rooted. As a staff member of El Puente, the Academic Mentor is expected to uphold and embody the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization.

The Role The Academic Mentor provides direct academic support to young people participating in El Puente's youth programs.

Reporting to the Program Director and working collaboratively with program and school-based staff, the Academic Mentor supports participants with homework completion, literacy and math development, study skills, test preparation, and other academic needs.

The Academic Mentor will work individually and in small groups with participants, helping identify areas where additional support is needed and developing strategies that encourage growth, confidence, and academic success.

Beyond academics, this position contributes to El Puente's broader youth development model by building meaningful relationships with participants, supporting family engagement, participating in enrichment activities, and helping young people develop the skills and confidence needed to advocate for themselves and their communities.

Key Qualifications Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in education and youth development, the ability to build positive relationships with young people, and the patience and adaptability necessary to support participants with different academic strengths and learning needs.

Required Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required; college enrollment or completion strongly preferred.

Experience tutoring, mentoring, teaching, or providing academic support to children or adolescents.

Ability to provide strong academic support in mathematics, English language arts, reading, and writing.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to explain academic concepts in ways that are clear, encouraging, and age-appropriate.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a youth development team.

Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality when working with young people and families.

Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, clearances, and fingerprinting.

Preferred Qualifications Current…