Engagement Coach

Job description

The Role The Engagement Coach is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Our coaches act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered. This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management. This is a temporary, part-time Grant funded role. Key Responsibilities Enrollment Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success Retention & Attendance Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendance Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach including texts, calls, and home visits Identify root causes of disengagement and work to remove barriers, not just complete outreach attempts Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records Academics Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals Proctor unit tests one-on-one and support small group proctoring in the virtual school setting Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans including incentive programs Partner with team members to problem-solve student challenges and improve engagement outcomes Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices Behavior Management & Site Operations Support daily site-level behavior management including monitoring noise level, phone use, and language standards Assist with check-in table and comeback corner monitoring on rotation with the broader team De-escalate student conflict or irate situations calmly and professionally without escalating tensions Hold Graduate Candidates to high expectations while validating their experiences and identifying solutions Participate in academy meetings and school or community events Support home visits and local travel as needed to re-engage students Perform additional duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy Advocacy Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support What We're Looking For Education: Associate degree preferred, but non-traditional life experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered Experience: 2+ years of relevant experience preferred; candidates with lived experience navigating hardship, working while in school, or overcoming barriers to education will also be considered Availability: Must be available to work the 5-6 hours a day Relationship Building: Strong ability to build genuine, trust-based relationships with students and families while holding Graduate Candidates accountable De-escalation: Comfortable managing disrespect, conflict, and escalated situations without escalating in return; ability to remain calm and solution-focused under pressure Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; strong outreach skills including consistent follow-up with students, families, and team members Technology: Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools Passion: A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed Preferred Qualifications Teaching certification (active or in progress), certified candidates may be eligible to serve as teacher of record for select courses Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred) Experience in non-traditional or alternative educational settings Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches Why Join Us? Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you will directly impact students' lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation. We Value Our Team's Well-Being Competitive Compensation: up to $19.00/hour Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match Physical & Work Environment Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage Ready to Make a Difference? If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere. Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration Academies Agencies presenting candidates must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement and be formally engaged by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies. Equal Opportunity Employer Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include: • Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours • On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite) • Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations • Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role. About Acceleration Academies At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.