Summer Social Justice Educator

Summer Program Dates: June 22nd - July 10th

Course: Power of the People: Justice and Human Rights

Description

Geffen Academy Educators approach teaching as an intellectual profession of the highest order, one in which knowledge is not only transmitted but created. Geffen Academy Educators possess a sophisticated and reflective understanding of their discipline and a record of achievement which demonstrates their ability to utilize and contribute to the robust connections we have with UCLA, a world-class research institution. Educators' innovation is guided by our school's mission to prioritize proven educational practices while also recognizing that teaching is a complex intellectual endeavor that defies rigid codification. We are committed to a humane working environment and also recognize that teaching goes beyond the life of the mind. Geffen Academy Educators seek to create trusting and caring relationships with their students and with their larger community.

Summary

The Justice and Human Rights summer course introduces middle and upper school students to pressing global challenges involving inequality, human rights, and responsibility across borders. Rather than learning about injustice only in the abstract, students actively engage in simulations and case studies that mirror how governments, international organizations, and citizens make difficult decisions under real-world constraints.

Students analyze historical and contemporary examples of human rights violations, humanitarian aid efforts, environmental injustice, and migration policy. Through guided discussions, debates, and collaborative problem-solving, students examine theories of justice and consider when, and whether, states should intervene to prevent harm. The course emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, source evaluation, and informed civic engagement.

Under the direction of the Summer Program Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA, the Educator will design and deliver high-quality, in-person summer instruction. The primary teaching responsibility will be Power of the People: Justice and Human Rights; depending on program enrollment and scheduling needs, the Educator may also have the opportunity to teach additional, thematically related summer courses. Courses meet daily for up to 90 minutes over the three-week program. Final teaching assignments and instructional responsibilities will be determined based on enrollment and overall programmatic considerations. The courses are taught in-person on Geffen Academy's Campus.

Job Duties

• Design and deliver a three-week course on human rights and global justice for students entering grades 7-12.
• Introduce students to key concepts related to human rights, inequality, global responsibility, and justice using age-appropriate language and real-world examples.
• Facilitate simulations that model global decision-making processes, including aid distribution, policy negotiation, and international response to crises.
• Guide students in researching and analyzing case studies such as genocide, humanitarian intervention, environmental injustice, and migration.
• Teach students to evaluate competing perspectives on justice, national interest, and moral responsibility.
• Lead structured discussions and debates that promote respectful dialogue and evidence-based reasoning.
• Support students in synthesizing research and ethical analysis through short writing assignments and collaborative projects.
• Foster an inclusive classroom environment that encourages empathy, curiosity, and intellectual risk-taking.
• Collaborate with Summer Program leadership and fellow educators to ensure a cohesive program experience.
• Establish clear norms and protocols for discussing sensitive topics, including supporting respectful dialogue and allowing students to engage thoughtfully without requiring personal disclosure.
• Teach students to evaluate sources (credibility, bias, corroboration) and to distinguish evidence-based claims from opinion or misinformation.
• Select and present materials in a developmentally appropriate way, avoiding unnecessary graphic content while maintaining historical accuracy and intellectual rigor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This list of duties is not exhaustive.

School: https://www.geffenacademy.ucla.edu

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in history, political science, international relations, philosophy, education, or a related field.
• Experience teaching or facilitating discussion-based learning for middle and/or high school students.
• Strong understanding of human rights issues, global inequality, and ethical decision-making.
• Ability to make complex global issues accessible, balanced, and engaging for adolescents.
• Demonstrated skill in facilitating respectful discussion around sensitive and controversial topics.
• Experience designing curriculum for short, intensive educational programs.
• Familiarity with educational technology and learning platforms such as Google Classroom and Zoom.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment, integrity, patience, and a collaborative teaching approach.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced summer program environment.
• Commitment to Geffen Academy's mission, values, and educational philosophy.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate trauma-aware, developmentally responsive instruction when working with topics related to violence, oppression, displacement, or human rights violations.
• Strong ability to support evidence-based discussion across disagreement and to maintain a classroom culture of dignity, care, and intellectual honesty.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

References will be checked before an offer is made.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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  UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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  UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment