Dive In Commonwealth is a free summer and school-year program for high-achieving middle-school students from low-income communities across the greater Boston area. Starting the summer after sixth or seventh grade and lasting until the fall of their freshman year, Dive In students engage in accelerated coursework alongside exciting extracurriculars, preparing themselves for rigorous high-schools and the path to top colleges. Like our parent institution, Commonwealth School, Dive In empowers motivated students by offering enriching activities in a close-knit community of like-minded peers. Our unique urban campus is located in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay, easily accessible by public transportation.

Dive In Commonwealth seeks engaging and creative part-time ELA instructors to teach a dedicated writing-mechanics course. This twice-weekly class will supplement a daily English literature block and focus specifically on the fundamental principles of grammar, including lexical categories, sentence parts, and common stylistic errors. Instruction should emphasize practical application while demystifying the “nuts and bolts” of good writing. Three sections of the course corresponding to three cohorts (rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders) will be divided between two instructors; due to scheduling constraints, the two positions cannot be merged.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging, interactive lessons on the fine points of syntax and style, transforming potentially dry material into an exciting learning experience.
• Design and implement creative activities that reinforce grammatical concepts through games, creative writing, and colorful examples from popular culture and current events.
• Provide clear and constructive feedback on student writing.
• Foster a supportive and encouraging classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and taking risks.
• Communicate effectively with Dive In administrators to ensure smooth program operations and address concerns about students in a timely manner.
• Provide brief written feedback on student participation and progress at the midpoint and conclusion of the summer (approximately 50-100 words per student, per half).

Essential Skills and Qualifications  

• Experience teaching ELA or ESL to middle- or high-school students.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement fun and effective lesson plans.
• Talent for making complex grammatical concepts intuitive and interesting.
• A friendly manner, sense of humor, and genuine enthusiasm for working with youth.
• Commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Optional Experience and Interests 

• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Interest in innovative teaching methods that integrate multiple media and modalities.

Compensation

• $80 per hour paid on a biweekly basis

Schedule

• July 7 to August 15, 2025
• Monday-Thursday mornings, plus flexible hours for planning and prep
• 7th and 8th grades: 18 dates, 26 teaching hours plus 8 flex hours
• Lunch provided

Applying

Interested candidates should email the following materials to Dive In Assistant Director Paul Brunick (pbrunick@commschool.org) by May 30, 2025. Questions about the role can be directed to Paul as well. 

• Résumé or CV 
• Brief email or cover letter describing one’s commitment to the Dive In mission and qualifications for this position
• Names of at least two references and their contact information 

Commonwealth School is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, veteran status, military service, application for military service, or any other characteristic protected by law.