21st Century Project-Based Learning Unit Development

This posting is for both certified and non-certified teachers/instructors.

The 21st Century Afterschool Program provides enriching and real-world opportunities for students to ignite their love of learning, grow their sense of belonging, and develop leadership skills. The dynamic and empathetic staff of the after-school academic community play a vital role in designing and implementing learning goals and objectives. These objectives revolve around standards-based, project-based activities that enhance both academic and social-emotional skills. Whether working with individuals or groups, after-school program teachers/instructors foster creativity and engagement, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for students.

This position aims to enhance the afterschool learning experience by providing current and prospective certified and/or non-certified afterschool enrichment instructors with DESE-created "Nuts & Bolts" and "Adaptations" training via a cohort model of project-based learning curriculum design. Between June and early September 2026, staff who are passionate about bringing learning to life during out-of-school time will join a joy-filled learning community to leverage pre-existing High Quality Project-Based Learning (HQPBL) units to inspire and provide a foundation for content and ideas of your own to be transformed by personal interests, passions, and expertise. The goal is to enter the 2026-2027 school year well-prepared with a heightened understanding of deeper learning principles, project-based learning, and how to prepare engaging and effective activity plans that span ten-week afterschool activity sessions. Staff interested in this opportunity will engage with colleagues during a series of hybrid workshops and virtual learning network check-ins, as well as make productive use of independent and small group planning time.

In order to receive the second of two stipends, each participant is required to submit a transformed HQPBL curriculum unit and share in an exchange with cohort colleagues. The expectation is that the units will be piloted during the 2026-2027 afterschool program year, using the accompanying activity planner to ensure fidelity of unit facilitation and authentic youth choice and voice. Interested staff should be prepared to commit to working during two ten-week after-school sessions at one of the after-school sites.

Qualifications:

• Current or prospective FPS 21st Century & Afterschool Program staff or current 21st Century Summer Program staff;
• Ability to plan and facilitate academic enrichment workshops aligned with specific standards/focus in ELA, Mathematics, and Socioemotional Learning;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders;
• Belief in the commitment to increasing personal growth, both academic and social-emotional, to obtain the highest level of achievement for every student;
• Access to reliable technology and the ability to meet on the dates noted below, which include mandatory in-person and virtual sessions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend and engage in all meetings, both virtual and in-person, as scheduled;
• Arrive at planned convening times with assigned work product complete and ready for sharing and feedback;
• Review and select a project-based learning unit from among the selection of DESE-vetted options in consultation with your anticipated afterschool program site coordinator(s);
• Complete all Project-Based Learning Modules and associated practice activities using the DESE-managed Canvas platform;
• Make adaptations to an existing HQPBL module of your choice, such as adjustments for pacing/duration, overarching subject matter, emphasized curriculum standards, grade level/level or rigor, and scaffolding for various learners;
• Reflect with colleagues and exchange feedback to strengthen the quality of the unit design and heighten the experience for your target student audience.
• When possible, seek feedback and input from students;
• Develop a 10-12 week activity plan that articulates your essential question and outlines key activities and learning outcomes for each day of the unit;
• Submit an activity description that accurately reflects your redesigned unit that will be used to recruit students to sign up for your activity;
• Prepare a list of required materials within the designated budget;
• Share the outcome of your pilot unit launch at a future 21st-century staff convening.

21st Century Project-Based Learning Unit Development Calendar

• June 8, 2026 - Introductory Session (In-person, 1 hr) - Crocker Elementary, 4:00 pm;
• June 12, 2026 - Deadline to submit interest - 8:30 am;
• June 15, 2026 - Virtual check-in (2 hrs) - 4:00 pm;
• June 15-21, 2026-Complete PBL Modules in Canvas (Self-Paced, 6 hrs);
• June 22, 2026 - Adaptations & Activity Planning Hybrid Training (11 hrs) - Location TBD, 4:00-6:30 pm;
• July 14, 2026 - Submit Stipend Form #1 for June hours;
• July-August - Self-Paced Independent Planning Time (17 hrs;)
• July 14, 2026 TBD - Virtual Check-in (2 hrs) - 8:30 am;
• August 18, 2026 - Virtual Check-in (2 hrs) - 8:30 am;
• September 8, 2026 - PBL Unit Presentations & Feedback Session 1 (In-person, 2 hrs) - Location TBD, 4:00 pm;
• September 9, 2026 - PBL Unit Presentations & Feedback Session 2 (In-person, 2 hrs) - Location TBD, 4:00 pm;
• September 9, 2026 - Submit Stipend Form #2 for July-September hours.

Dates/Hours: June 8 to September 9, 2026

Hours vary and include in-person and hybrid meeting times, as noted above. All dates are mandatory. All program hours must be during out-of-school time. All duties must be performed during non-contractual hours.

Funding Source: June compensation: FY26 FC 645. 21st Century, July-September compensation: Title I - Federal Grants & Summer Program Funding

Number of Participants: 24. Participants will be selected to ensure equivalent distribution across after-school program sites.

Stipend/Hourly Rate: $30.00 / hour - NTE 45 Hours ($1,350 to be paid in two lump sums following completion of time-bound responsibilities as noted in the calendar above; June compensation $30/hr x 20 hours, NTE $600; July-September compensation $30/hr x 25 hours, NTE $750)

Hiring Manager: Lauren Mountain, 21st Century Administrator

FY26 Afterschool Program Site Coordinators:

• Crocker Elementary - Emily Mantyla & Macy Woodard;
• McKay Elementary - Marcus Kitchen & Jenna Roberts;
• Reingold Elementary - Terry Montemurro;
• Longsjo Middle - Christina Jaramillo & Brad Pelletier;
• Memorial Middle - Cathy Burgess & Frannie Conte;
• SSELC - Jackie Navedo;
• FHS - funding pending

Number of position: (Up to 24 positions available)

The responsibilities and duties listed are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The School Committee's policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, and the general public with whom it does business. Fitchburg Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or equal treatment in its programs and/or activities in compliance with state and federal law.

Questions related to this policy must be addressed to: The Office of Human Resources, 376 South Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420, HR@Fitchburg.k12.ma.us