[YEP-DC] Senior Public Policy Thesis Teacher

Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy are hiring a Senior Public Policy Thesis Teacher. The Senior Public Policy Thesis teacher is the professional responsible for leading the culminating course of Chavez students' public policy curriculum.   In this course, students research and write about a policy topic of their choosing. At the conclusion of the school year, students present their research to a panel of public policy professionals. Topics for the research papers, which are typically 15-20 pages, include: college access for immigrants, same-sex marriage legalization, abortion restrictions, marijuana legalization, gun violence in the United States, stem cell research, and U.S. Government influence over foreign sweatshops.

The thesis teachers guides students through writing this research paper and further developing important public policy leadership skills introduced in 9^th – 12^th grades. In this role, the thesis teacher creates learning experiences that prepare students for college-level thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills and deepens their understanding of public policy concepts, issues, and ways of thinking. 

Specific duties:

·         Design and implement rigorous and engaging learning experiences that develop students' understanding of key public policy concepts and develops their critical thinking, research, and writing skills.  Specifically these experiences should enable students to:

o   Analyze public policies through Constitutional/political "value tensions":  individual rights vs. the common good; state vs. federal power; equity vs. efficiency; privacy vs. security; liberty vs. equality, etc.

o   Analyze public policies through political and economic lenses

o   Learn the essential tools of political discourse, including key provisions and principles of the Constitution, vocabulary specific to the discipline of public policy, and fairmindedness

o   Conduct independent research by identifying and synthesizing information from a variety of reliable sources, including news articles, government reports, public opinion data, Supreme Court rulings, etc.

o   Write college-level papers that demonstrate a complex understanding of their chosen topic

o   Design effective PowerPoint presentations to convey their research findings and arguments to an expert audience

·         Coach students through creating a plan for their independent research and provide appropriate structures and supports to students throughout the year in order to promote independence

·         Collaborate with teachers and leaders to continuously refine and enhance the thesis course and support the Chavez community in understanding public policy issues and concepts as well as the expectations of senior year.

·         Engage in continuous learning about the field of public policy including foundational principles and their application to modern issues.

·         Facilitate students' completing an advocacy project in which they use their research and understanding to petition decision-makers

·         Develop and maintain relations in the community with schools & universities, policy institutes/centers, government officials, and community organizations.

·         Act as a leader and resource for the public policy curriculum at Chavez schools by supporting colleagues in creating public policy learning experiences.

Qualifications:

·         Passion for educating traditionally underserved scholars

·         Intense commitment to high standards and excellence

·         Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree Preferred

·         2+ years of relevant teaching experience

·         Demonstrated content expertise:  U.S. Government, Civics, Public Policy, or Constitutional Law

·         Achievement of NCLB's Highly Qualified standard in Social Studies (Praxis test or equivalent education)

·         Commitment to research-based decision making

·         Ability to learn quickly

    Collaborative and committed to the Chavez mission

Please contact  Juliet Mohnkern at juliet.mohnkern@chavezschools.org for more information and to apply.

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