Virtual Servant Leader Apprentice (SLA), Seasonal

Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA)

Location: Philadelphia, PA (Virtual)

Employment Type: Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Reports To: Servant Leader Apprentice (SLA) Coach

About the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED)

The Center for Black Educator Development exists to rebuild the national Black Teacher Pipeline in service of a clear vision: a world where all Black students have access to high-quality Black educators throughout their PreK–12 education, and where educator preparation, pedagogy, and policies that advance equity and effectiveness are fully institutionalized. We are unapologetically committed to educational justice and racial equity by increasing the presence, effectiveness, and retention of Black educators. Our work centers Black students, families, and educators by designing liberatory pathways into teaching, investing in sustainable program models, and advocating for systems-level change that endures beyond individual programs or classrooms.

Position Summary

The Virtual Servant Leader Apprentice (SLA) is a seasonal, virtual instructional leadership role within CBED’s Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA), a five-week summer apprenticeship program designed to prepare high school and college-aged aspiring educators while providing high-quality literacy instruction and enrichment to elementary school scholars.

Reporting to the SLA Coach, Virtual Servant Leader Apprentices serve as the primary instructional leaders for virtual classrooms of approximately ten scholars. SLAs receive professional development, coaching, and structured feedback cycles to build Black pedagogical understanding, instructional skill, and leadership capacity, with the goal of preparing participants to pursue careers in education.

Core Accountabilities

• Virtual Classroom Instruction & Scholar Outcomes

Deliver high-quality, curriculum-aligned virtual literacy instruction that supports scholars’ academic growth, engagement, and social–emotional development.

• Instructional Planning & Data-Informed Practice

Internalize lesson plans, analyze student work and learning outcomes, and adjust instruction to meet scholars’ needs in a virtual environment.

• Leadership & Youth Development

Model professionalism and instructional excellence while supporting the development of scholars and contributing positively to the instructional team.

• Family Communication & Scholar Support

Maintain consistent, professional communication with families to support scholar engagement, progress, and attendance.

• Professional Growth & Reflective Practice

Engage actively in coaching, professional development, and reflection to continuously improve instructional practice and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the instructional leader for a virtual classroom of approximately ten scholars.
• Deliver engaging, culturally responsive literacy instruction aligned to FSLA curriculum.
• Internalize lesson plans and adapt instruction to meet the needs of scholars in a virtual setting.
• Review student work daily and analyze learning outcomes to inform instruction.
• Implement effective virtual classroom management practices that promote engagement, safety, and respect.
• Lead project-based learning and social action activities adapted for virtual instruction.
• Participate fully in all required training, professional development sessions, and coaching cycles.
• Engage in continuous reflection on instructional practice and leadership development.
• Monitor scholar attendance and participation and support strategies to improve engagement.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with families regarding expectations, updates, and student progress.
• Complete all instructional deliverables, surveys, and required documentation accurately and on time.
• Adhere to CBED and FSLA policies and procedures, including expectations specific to virtual programming.

Leadership & Cultural Expectations

CBED leaders are expected to model the organization’s core beliefs, leadership competencies, and values by centering justice, demonstrating operational discipline, and leading with clarity, accountability, and care. Leaders are responsible for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams; engaging in continuous learning and reflection; and building systems that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with CBED’s mission. Leaders are also expected to demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills, and to partner effectively across teams and stakeholders in ways that produce measurable outcomes and sustain the people doing the work.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college enrollment strongly preferred.
• Interest in pursuing a career in education or working with children and youth.
• Interest in mentoring and supporting young people.
• Openness to receiving and implementing feedback.
• Strong reflective practice and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, team-based virtual environment.
• Alignment with CBED’s mission, vision, and core values.

Working at CBED

CBED offers meaningful, justice-driven professional experiences that support leadership development, skill-building, and career exploration in education. We affirm racial identity, value lived experience and believe justice-driven work must be both excellent and sustainable.