ABOUT PEACE IN SCHOOLS

Our work is to liberate minds and hearts. Our transformative mindfulness education offers tools for life, helping teens and adults discover self-awareness, emotional resilience, compassion, and connection. In 2014, Peace in Schools launched the nation's first for-credit mindfulness course in a public high school. Today, we continue to equip teens and educators with a toolset to end social and emotional suffering and live wellbeing. Our staff and board strive to center inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation in all that we do and build. Peace in Schools is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

www.peaceinschools.org

THE CHALLENGE

Rates of substance abuse, bullying, eating disorders and suicide remain alarmingly high among youth. Providing effective, trauma-informed social-emotional education in the classroom is a viable, mental health intervention that empowers teens in supporting their own well-being. The effectiveness of our programs hinges on the expertise and depth of our mindfulness teachers. In order to reach more youth, we need to continue to grow and strengthen our teaching team.  

THE OPPORTUNITY

Peace in Schools is a small, growing team with a large vision. Our mindfulness programs are grounded in an evidence-based, equitable, and trauma-informed approach to social-emotional education. Our classes serve as a practical, accessible, effective, and critical resource for all youth — and have particular benefit for youth who are underserved and youth with high levels of trauma.

As a Peace in Schools Mindfulness Teacher/Program Coordinator (MTPC), your core purpose will be to support others, and yourself, in mindful living. Doing so requires putting your mindfulness practice at the forefront. We are seeking someone with a long-term mindfulness practice who is excited and ready to receive intensive and ongoing training in the Peace in Schools curriculum and approach. The ideal MTPC provides significant attunement to the organizational vision, mission and values and demonstrates a commitment to equity work. 

We seek someone who can provide expert facilitation for youth and adults, broad program coordination, and meaningful partnership and outreach support for our Teen and Adult programming. This position requires a deep commitment to and awareness of mindfulness practice and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). The MTPC serves as a positive and impactful ambassador for Peace in Schools (PINS) as they work directly with students, teachers, principals, parents and beyond. This position requires a motivated, reliable, flexible, and heart-centered leader who is passionate about social-emotional learning (SEL), working on a team, and executing the PINS mission in the world. 

THE TEAM

The MTPC reports directly to the Program Director and works closely with other team members to plan, implement, evaluate and improve our teen and adult programs. As a MTPC, you will be supported by your direct supervisor as well as other seasoned teachers on the teaching team. Our ideal team member thrives while working remotely; because we serve schools around the Portland metro area, much of our training and check ins happens virtually. The Peace in Schools team thrives in collaboration but also works individually toward providing mindfulness to our community. 

For Peace in Schools to achieve its mission, we know we must have supported, happy staff who are fully accountable and empowered in their spheres of work, who trust each other to do excellent work, and who listen and are open minded. Our team strives to practice what we teach - to embody the presence, equity, flexibility, and interconnection we cultivate in our classrooms. We believe that how we do our work is just as important as the outcomes. 

THE SKILL SET

The scope of work for the MTPC includes:

• Direct Teaching (75%)
• Program Planning and Administration (5%)
• Partnership Support and Outreach (10%)
• Curriculum & Content Development (10%)
• Other Duties as Assigned

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO:

• Has passion for and attunement with our shared mission, values, and philosophical approach to mindfulness education
• Has significant experience in mindfulness, meditation and/or contemplative practices; previous participation in meditation retreats preferred
• Has the ability to learn and integrate new mindfulness tools and techniques so that you can teach from experience (e.g. integrating the tools from the curriculum into your own life)
• Has the ability and desire to learn, be trained in, and teach using the Peace in Schools curriculum and philosophical approach  
• Enjoys working with teens and is able to relate authentically connect with them
• Has experience with group facilitation
• Has strong communication and listening skills
• Can build and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders
• Can coordinate required program logistics, supplies, and operations. 
• Can track and report on program targets and goals.
• Can work collaboratively with all PINS staff and PPS partners
• Has strong technology skills, with proficiency in programs such as Excel, Google Apps, Slack, Asana, and database programs.
• Can do quality work with efficiency, consistency and reliability.
• Has excellent time management skills
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness
• Is available some evenings and weekends

WE STRONGLY PREFER SOMEONE WHO: 

• Has a minimum of 1 year experience working with teens in a structured program or school
• Has formally practiced mindfulness for 5+ years 
• Demonstrates self-awareness in terms of understanding their own culture, identity, biases, prejudices, power, privilege, and stereotypes. Has a combination of life or work experience and/or training in anti-racism, equity work.
• Has experience working with people of diverse ages, races and backgrounds; bilingual a plus!

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We recognize that experience can be gained in a variety of ways: lived, professional, volunteer and other experience. We thoroughly look through application questions and resumes in order to qualify candidates for our open positions.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION, BUT THINK YOU MAY NOT MEET ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA, PLEASE DO APPLY! 

Within One Month You Will:

• Complete the Peace in Schools onboarding process which includes learning the organization's mission, vision and core values as well as systems, procedures and processes
• Meet and introduce yourself to the Peace in Schools Team
• Understand your scope of work, benefits, professional development opportunities, and internal culture, structure, and communication
• Understand the organization's current and past equity work
• Establish a supportive relationship with your supervisor, the Program Director
• Begin to learn where your role intersects with other teachers and staff
• Begin learning the Peace in Schools curriculum through shadowing other teachers and attending teacher meetings/one-on-one mentorship meetings
• Teach teens and receive feedback and mentorship 
• Learn about school partnerships and building school relationships 
• Understand your administrative duties including email, scheduling, and preparation

Within Three Months You Will:

• Attend a Peace in Schools course or workshop to clarify and deepen your understanding of the organization's mission  
• Be in regular communication with current partnership stakeholders, such as High School principals 
• Work with program staff and teachers to coordinate teen and adult programs

Within Six Months You Will:

• Fully handle preparation, teaching and administrative tasks
• Be an ambassador for the organization's mission, vision and core values in your daily work interactions and decisions  
• Continue learning the Peace in Schools curriculum and approach through teaching, observation, mentorship, and feedback 
• Perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Mindfulness Teacher & Program Coordinator

Location: Candidates must be within daily commuting distance to Portland. In-person and remote work will be required. 

Job Type: Full time, permanent, exempt (35 hours a week which would include occasional evenings & weekends) 

Compensation: $45,000 annual salary with generous healthcare, retirement, vacation and sick leave benefits.

Start Date:  January 10, 2022

APPLICATION GUIDELINES / HOW TO APPLY

Fully complete and submit the online application form, and attach your resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and, for strongest consideration, please apply no later than October 29. This position will remain open until filled. No phone calls please. 

Peace in Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly value equity, diversity and inclusion. We are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team committed to working in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applicants of color to apply.