Student Empowerment Coordinator

Student Empowerment Coordinator

Great Oaks Charter School - Bridgeport  |  High School

About Great Oaks Charter School, Bridgeport

Three things are true about us.

One. A child's zip code should not determine their future.

We are a tuition-free public charter school in Bridgeport, built on three pillars: Mastery, Leadership, and Community. Our embedded AmeriCorps tutoring program puts an extra adult in every ELA and Math classroom because small-group instruction should not be a luxury reserved for private schools. 

We are not a place that lowers expectations to match circumstances.

Two. We invest in the adults who invest in our students.

Every staff member, in every role, is supported by dedicated academic coaches, real professional development, and a culture where colleagues actually show up for one another. You will not be left to figure it out alone. 

We are not interested in burning people out and replacing them. We are interested in building careers.

Three. We are building something for Bridgeport that did not exist before we got here.

What you do at Great Oaks today shapes what is possible for our students tomorrow. That is not a slogan. That is the job. 

We are not finished.

If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, keep reading.

Position Summary

The Student Empowerment Coordinator  is responsible for organizing opportunities and creating systems that offer authentic learning opportunities and elevate student voice to advance student agency, increase engagement, and provide a deeper understanding of postsecondary options . This position serves as an essential component of  school  development efforts by ensuring students are active participants in shaping their educational experience while developing pathways to college, careers, and community leadership.

Working collaboratively with students, families, community partners, school leadership, teachers, and Fellows, the Student Empowerment Coordinator  develops opportunities  that foster student ownership of learning, facilitate meaningful feedback cycles, and creates opportunities for students to engage in real-world experiences through internships, career exploration, and public demonstrations of learning.

• This position is grant funded and available for two-years. Continuation of the program will be contingent on results of the initiative and available grant or traditional school based funding.

What You Will Actually Do

Student Voice and Leadership

• Facilitate student feedback cycles focused on classroom experience, school culture, and instructional effectiveness.

• Design and implement systems for student-led classroom reflections, peer discourse protocols, peer to peer disciplinary and restorative practices, and co-facilitate peer to peer mentorship.

• Support staff with the implementation of designed systems. 

• Design and facilitate student leadership development opportunities that strengthen communication, advocacy, and facilitation skills.

• Coordinate and lead monthly Student Leadership Team meetings.

Co-Facilitate our Student Board

• Train students and Fellows to facilitate advisory focus groups, community forums, and Board presentations.

• Organize structured student debates, panel discussions, and forums that promote civic engagement and critical thinking.

• Coordinate student-led professional development and panel sessions for faculty and staff.

Pathways and Postsecondary Readiness

• Coordinate asynchronous learning opportunities, including Edmentum coursework, career exploration modules, and pathway-aligned learning experiences.

• Develop, implement, and monitor internship and work-based learning opportunities in partnership with local businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders.

• Facilitate student-led course planning sessions that align academic programming with student interests, goals, and postsecondary aspirations.

• Support students in developing and showcasing culminating projects, portfolios, exhibitions, and demonstrations of learning.

• Serve as the primary liaison between students, community partners, and pathway organizations to ensure meaningful and equitable access to opportunities.

Family and Community Engagement

• Plan and coordinate family-facing Showcase of Learning events that highlight student achievement, growth, and pathway experiences.

• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with community organizations, employers, higher education institutions, and other external stakeholders.

• Serve as a liaison among students, community partners, and school leadership to strengthen collaboration and support student success.

Continuous Improvement and School Redesign

• Partner with curriculum, instruction, and culture teams to embed student voice and agency into school improvement efforts.

• Access and analyze existing data systems that monitor student engagement, agency, pathway participation, and leadership outcomes to create aligned and meaningful opportunities for students.

• Analyze student feedback and engagement data to inform decisionmaking and continuous improvement efforts.

• Provide recommendations to school leadership regarding structures, practices, and initiatives that strengthen student-centered learning.

What We Are Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Preference for degrees in Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling. Related field experience outside of these degrees considered. 

• Minimum of three years of experience working with adolescents in education, youth development, or community-based settings.

• Demonstrated success facilitating student leadership, youth voice initiatives, or project-based learning experiences.

• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including students, families, educators, and community partners.

• Ability to analyze data and use findings to improve programming and outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing internship, work-based learning, or college and career readiness programs.

• Knowledge of competency-based education, student-centered learning, and school redesign practices.

• Experience facilitating professional learning for adults.

• Familiarity with learning management systems, student data platforms, and engagement-tracking tools.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to student agency and student-centered learning

• Facilitation and coaching

• Program development and project management

• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement

• Equity-focused leadership

• Data analysis and continuous improvement

• Public speaking and presentation skills

• Strategic planning and execution

What You Can Expect From Us

• Salary range - $60,000 - $65,000 *Please note that the high-end of this salary is non-negotiable due to grant constraints.

• A school community that puts students at the center of every decision

• Dedicated academic coaching and weekly professional development

• Colleagues who collaborate, share resources, and have your back

• A leadership team that listens

• Comprehensive benefits, paid school breaks, and continued participation in the Connecticut State Teachers' Pension System

• The chance to build something lasting in a community that needs you

Ready to Apply?

Send us your resume and a brief cover letter. We read every application.

Tell us about a moment when a student finally understood a chemistry concept that had been giving them trouble. What unlocked it?

Equal Opportunity Statement

Great Oaks Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.