Lead Learning Catalyst

At Network Connect, we are committed to empowering our communities by coordinating grassroots efforts with local partners to provide essential services and programs to our youth and families. We believe that by investing in our communities, we can improve our society’s overall health and well-being. With a focus on social services, education programs, workforce skills, and mental health support, we are dedicated to building capacity in our communities and creating opportunities for growth and success. As a fast-growing non-profit organization, we are always seeking innovative ways to positively impact and create a better future for all.

Network Connect is seeking a culturally responsive, relationship-centered educator to serve as a Lead Teacher within our innovative network of microschools. In partnership with STRIVE, MicroSchool Generation, Freire Charter School, and Odyssey Charter School, Network Connect is launching seven emotionally responsive microschools designed for students whose behavioral, emotional, academic, or engagement needs are often difficult to meet in traditional educational settings Built around small learning communities of seven students and a 1:7 adult-to-student ratio, our model provides the personalized attention, meaningful relationships, and responsive support that help young people build confidence, reconnect with learning, and realize their potential. Many of our students are navigating academic gaps, chronic disengagement, behavioral challenges, or social-emotional needs that require a more personalized and supportive learning environment. Through individualized academic support, restorative practices, social-emotional development, project-based learning, and experiential education, we create environments where students feel connected, capable, and inspired to learn. At the heart of our model is a simple belief: every child deserves to be deeply known, supported, inspired, and empowered.

The Lead Learning Catayst serves as the instructional leader and learning designer for a microschool cluster of approximately fourteen students across two learning cohorts. Depending on placement, Lead Catalyst may support either a Lower School cluster (K–5) or an Upper School cluster (middle and high school).

This is not a traditional classroom teaching role. Lead Catalyst work within a highly collaborative microschool model designed to provide both students and educators with meaningful levels of support. While maintaining primary responsibility for instructional quality, student growth, curriculum design, and academic progress, Lead Teachers are supported by Learning Catalysts, social-emotional learning specialists, curriculum coaches, Program Directors, and a multidisciplinary leadership team.

Working closely with students, families, and colleagues, Lead Catalyst design personalized learning experiences, facilitate project-based learning, monitor student progress, and create engaging learning environments that foster both academic and personal growth.

The ideal candidate understands that behavior is communication and believes that strong relationships, emotional safety, responsiveness, and student agency are foundational to learning. They are creative, reflective, collaborative, and committed to helping young people discover their strengths and achieve their goals.

Because our microschools are innovative and evolving learning environments, successful candidates will demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Student Support & Relationship Building

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with students and families.
• Foster emotionally safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.
• Support students in developing self-awareness, communication skills, emotional regulation, and personal responsibility.
• Utilize restorative and relationship-centered approaches to address behavioral and interpersonal challenges.
• Promote belonging, accountability, confidence, and student agency throughout the school community.

Instructional Leadership & Learning Design

• Design and facilitate personalized, standards-aligned learning experiences.
• Develop responsive curriculum that integrates project-based, experiential, and real-world learning opportunities.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse academic needs, strengths, interests, and learning profiles.
• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on data, observation, and student feedback.
• Collaborate with Learning Catalysts to ensure consistent academic and social-emotional support for students.
• Create engaging learning experiences that foster curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and student ownership of learning.
• Maintain high expectations while providing the flexibility and support necessary for student success.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate closely with Learning Catalysts, Network Connect leadership, families, community partners, and support specialists.
• Participate in regular planning, reflection, coaching, and debriefing sessions.
• Contribute to problem-solving, innovation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support implementation and refinement of evolving microschool systems, structures, and practices.
• Serve as a thought partner in the ongoing development of the microschool model.

Assessment, Documentation & Student Progress

• Maintain accurate academic records, student progress documentation, and required reporting.
• Utilize assessment data to guide instruction and intervention.
• Track growth across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains.
• Communicate regularly with students, families, and team members regarding progress, goals, and support strategies.
• Contribute to program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts through data-informed practice.

Required Qualifications

• Valid teaching certification.
• Strong instructional planning, facilitation, and classroom management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with students and families.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, student-centered educational practice.
• Belief in the power of relationships, belonging, and personalized learning.

Preferred

• Experience working with adolescents or diverse learning populations.
• Experience supporting students navigating behavioral or academic challenges.
• Experience with project-based learning, personalized learning, experiential education, microschools, or innovative school models.
• Familiarity with restorative practices and relationship-centered approaches.
• Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and community partnerships.

Core Competencies· Relationship Building & Student Support

• Builds authentic relationships that foster trust, belonging, accountability, and student growth.

· Instructional Leadership & Learning Design

• Designs engaging, personalized learning experiences that promote academic growth, curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and student agency.

· Emotional Intelligence & Restorative Practice

• Responds effectively to student needs using empathy, emotional awareness, and restorative approaches that strengthen relationships and community.

· Collaboration & Teamwork

• Works effectively with colleagues, families, community partners, and support specialists to support student success and strengthen the learning environment.

· Data-Informed Practice

• Uses observation, assessment, and student performance data to inform instructional decisions, personalize support, and monitor student growth.

· Reflective Practice & Continuous Improvement

• Demonstrates adaptability, professionalism, self-reflection, and a commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and improvement.

Professional Development

· Lead Catalyst receive ongoing coaching and professional development focused on emotionally responsive education, restorative practices, personalized learning, project-based instruction, student engagement, and instructional leadership.

· Professional learning opportunities emphasize continuous growth in curriculum design, facilitation, assessment, data-informed instruction, social-emotional development, culturally responsive practice, and collaborative problem-solving. Educators will strengthen their ability to design engaging learning experiences, support diverse learners, and thrive within an innovative microschool environment built around relationships, belonging, accountability, and student agency.

· For educators who are passionate about instructional innovation, meaningful relationships, and helping young people thrive, this is an opportunity to help reimagine what school can be while shaping a model designed to meet the needs of every learner.

Salary: $55,000–$65,000 based on experience
Position Type: Full-Time, Year-Round

**Paraprofessionals encouraged to apply.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person