Bard Sequence

Adjunct Faculty, Writing and Composition (Washington DC)

Apply Here: https://apply.interfolio.com/160001

About the Bard Sequence

The Bard Sequence is a program of the Bard Early Colleges (BEC) network that is founded on the belief that many high school–age students are eager and ready for the intellectual challenges of a college education. The Bard Sequence is an equity-based program that brings rigorous BEC dual enrolment courses to historically marginalized student populations at partner high schools and school districts. It currently serves students in the Hudson Valley of New York, Brooklyn and the Bronx, NY, Orange, NJ, Plainfield, NJ, Camden, NJ, and Washington, DC.  The Bard Sequence has awarded over 10,000 transferable college credits since its inception in 2019. 

Bard invites dynamic applicants who are passionate about their fields of study and committed to advancing equity through rigorous curricula made accessible to students with varied academic backgrounds to teach high school age students enrolled at our partner high school. You will teach one section of a Bard Sequence College Writing and Composition elective at The Next Step Public Charter School.

Course Title: Writing and Composition

Course Description:

Writing is a crucial skill in any major and field, before and during college and beyond. This course seeks to provide students with an introduction to composition in a variety of different forms, chief among them the academic or argumentative essay and the personal essay (including the college essay). Throughout three different writing “progressions,” students will familiarize themselves not just with the mechanics of constructing a strong piece of prose, but the process of editing and refining their writing, both on their own and with the help of their peers. For each progression, students will be graded on their completion of steps throughout the writing process, their participation in class discussions and activities, and their creation of a final, polished essay.

Key responsibilities: 

The responsibility of a Bard Sequence faculty member is to teach Bard Sequence’s College Writing and Thinking course. This includes working closely with students to develop foundational writing skills while also providing a rigorous college experience in the course. Faculty members will be expected to follow the Bard Sequence syllabus and any course materials that are provided. 

Faculty members are expected to provide students with the support that they will need to develop these skills and succeed, including providing frequent written feedback on assignments, holding office hours, and regularly communicating student progress with high school partners and the Director of the Bard Sequence. 

Criminal Background Checks: 

Faculty member may be required to provide a criminal history background check with fingerprinting and proof that said check indicates that no criminal history exists on file in either the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the State Bureau of Identification which would disqualify said employee from employment. Requirements for background check will be according to the laws of Washington DC. Bard cannot reimburse for a background check should one have to be performed. 

Compensation:  $7500 per course

Location: In Person teaching position at The Next Step Public Charter School 3047 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Term of Employment: The contract covers the Spring 2025 semester which begins on February 24th and ends June 12th, 2025. 

Schedule: A successful candidate must be able to teach in person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 11:30am-1pm following the academic calendar of The Next Step. 

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a strong  commitment to equity and a desire to open up opportunities for historically marginalized students.
• Have experience working with high level English Language Learner students (preferred)
• Have experience working with adult learners (preferred)
• Have a Ph.D., MFA, or other terminal degree in literature or a related field 
• Have experience teaching at both high school and college levels (desired)
• Understand cultural differences and purposefully help to uplift ideas from underrepresented groups.  
• Be committed to providing students with the support and scaffolds that they need to succeed in a rigorous college setting. 
• Be willing to work with and take feedback from the Director of the Bard Sequence including direct observation and evaluation.
• Work directly with school leadership of our high school partners including maintaining a professional relationship with faculty of the partner high school as appropriate, observation, and evaluation. 
• Provide feedback and support to students including feedback on written work, progress reports, and communication of student progress to high school leadership. 

Application Instructions

Please apply directly with Bard College / Bard Early Colleges.  Do this by clicking on the “Apply Now” button found through the Interfolio job application link provided here: https://apply.interfolio.com/160001

Use the Interfolio link provided to upload the following documents directly with our organization:

• letter of interest
• C.V. / resume
• One-page teaching statement
• Sample course syllabus
• Contact information for three references

Please note that strong applicants will be asked to provide a classroom demonstration of their teaching either virtually or in person.  A good demo lesson should elicit engagement, active participation, and analytical thinking from high school-age students in a classroom setting. 

Questions

Inquiries may be directed via email with the subject line “BEC Sequence: The Next Step Public Charter School, Adjunct Faculty Job Search” to Matt Park, at [email protected]
Bard College is AA/EOE and welcomes applications from individuals who contribute to its diversity

AA/EOE