Studio Justice – Lead Instructor

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

About Camp ELSO, Inc. Created in 2015 by two Black women, ELSO Inc. provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite Youth of Color to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to teach and frame science and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories, ways of knowing, individual needs, and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities.

ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Environment, Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black, Indigenous and People of Color in the natural and built environments. ELSO uses a multi‑cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history. We are demonstrating a model for STEAMED education led by People of Color.

ELSO’s Studio Justice (SJ) enables leadership and agency for youth ages 14‑20 to use design as a tool for racial, social, economic and sustainable justice. SJ aims to expand our youth’s STEAMED career pathways to include the professions in the built environment while widening their exposure to green sector careers. Through this vital opportunity, participants will learn about their personal STEAM and socio‑economic identities as well as be introduced, educated and mentored in designing public spaces, the power of place, and health equity for under‑resourced communities.

There are no student fees for Studio Justice program events. Instead, we ensure participants receive a scholarship stipend as a just and direct response to historic barriers, constraints and lack of investment and resources that keep Black and Brown community from pursuing careers in the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, and Design (AECD) industry.

The Lead Instructor will report to the Program Director and act as the main facilitator of cohorts, create weekly cohort outlines, manage tasks, and work closely with the Cohort Engagement Instructor. The Lead Instructor will cultivate a positive and affirming culture for participants to imagine and develop their ideas into projects. Lead Instructors will lead 8‑9 weeks of cohorts consisting of 15‑18 young adults between the ages of 14‑20.

The Lead Instructors will work collaboratively with guest professionals. In addition to supervising cohort participants, Lead Instructors are the primary adults responsible for Studio Justice participants’ safety and security. With the supervision and guidance of the Program Director, Lead Instructors will teach and demonstrate Studio Justice program values, lead participants in restorative justice practice for conflict resolution. ELSO temporary staff members and volunteers are responsible and positive role models who reflect the diversity of the cohort participants.

• Work with the Program Director to develop the program including syllabus, curriculum, community partnerships, participant recruitment, and public events.
• Develop the cohort curriculum within the ELSO mission, vision, and program framework.
• Plan weekly cohort curriculum, ensure weekly cohorts run according to outline.
• Support the PD in identifying key industry and community leaders to be guest instructors.
• Support onboarding and preparation of guest instructors and volunteers.
• Prep weekly curriculum in advance of each session, confirm with PD.
• Research and organize college tours and site visits.
• Lead the organization and planning of Vital Voices, the final presentation occurring last week with a public audience.
• Collect and manage student work, organize final presentations, start communication processes with possible panelists, communicate thoroughly with selected panelists.

• Act as main lead of cohort sessions with 15‑18 youth participants over 8‑9 weeks (Lead Instructor will receive support from the team).
• Conduct team meetings with the SJ team.
• Actively communicate with youth participants and receive feedback to continue to grow the cultural competency of the program.
• Hold office hours once a week (1‑2…