The posting
Job Description
Model United Nations Instructor / Coach, Upper School
Start Date: Friday, January 15, 2027
Pay Rate: $65 – $75 per hour, commensurate with experience
Schedule:
- Part-time, hourly position, based on scheduled enrichment classes, team practices, and conference commitments
- Serves Upper School students in grades 6 – 8
- Classes and team practices generally take place 1 to 2 days per week between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM
- Specific teaching days and hours are determined by program scheduling and enrollment
- Additional hours may be required for conference preparation, special events, and Model UN conferences, including occasional weekends
- Runs through June 2027, following the Bank Street calendar, with the expectation of continuation in subsequent school years
- Opportunities for additional enrichment instruction or substitute teaching may be available
About Bank Street School for Children
A leader in progressive education for more than 100 years, the Bank Street School for Children provides students, from nursery through 8th grade, an education that engages their natural curiosity, nurtures critical thinking, and helps to develop a sense of community and social responsibility. Through a teaching approach that is fundamentally hands-on and child-centered, Bank Street students develop the courage and confidence to think independently, work collaboratively, understand themselves and others more deeply, and possess the compassion to make meaning of the world around them.
About the Position
At the Bank Street School for Children, we believe learning extends beyond the traditional classroom. Our After School Program gives students opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, build relationships, and strengthen their creativity, confidence, and independence through meaningful experience.
The Model United Nations Instructor / Coach leads our after school Model UN program for students in grades 6–8 and prepares them to participate in Model United Nations conferences. The instructor designs and facilitates interactive learning experiences that introduce students to international issues, the United Nations, diplomacy, research, debate, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving, and coaches students as they prepare to represent countries, engage in structured debate, negotiate with peers, and develop resolutions addressing global challenges.
Grounded in Bank Street’s progressive approach to education, our Model UN program emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, perspective-taking, and learning through experience. While conferences offer an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning, our primary focus is cultivating intellectual curiosity, confidence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the world. Model UN here is about more than debate or competition: it is an opportunity for students to develop empathy, collaboration, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with people whose perspectives differ from their own.
The role suits an educator passionate about global affairs, international relations, public speaking, and diplomacy, who combines knowledge of Model UN procedures with strong teaching, facilitation, and coaching skills. It also offers the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative school community while gaining valuable experience in progressive education, global citizenship education, and youth leadership development.
Key Responsibilities
Model UN Instruction and Curriculum Development
- Design and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons introducing students in grades 6 – 8 to the United Nations, international relations, diplomacy, and global issues
- Teach foundational Model UN concepts, including country representation, committee procedures, parliamentary procedure, negotiation, and resolution writing
- Introduce students to global challenges such as climate change, human rights, international cooperation, social justice, sustainable development, and conflict resolution
- Guide students in researching countries, understanding international perspectives, and evaluating complex global issues
- Develop interactive simulations, discussions, and collaborative activities that strengthen critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Teach students how to construct persuasive arguments, deliver speeches, engage in respectful debate, and respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints
- Differentiate instruction to support middle school students with varying levels of experience, confidence, and communication skills
- Create opportunities for students to develop leadership, teamwork, and independent thinking through meaningful engagement with global issues
Coaching and Conference Preparation
- Lead and coach students in grades 6 – 8 in preparation for participation in Model United Nations conferences
- Develop a structured preparation schedule aligned with conference dates, committee assignments, and team goals
- Guide students in researching assigned countries, understanding national positions, and developing informed policy perspectives
- Coach students in writing position papers, preparing opening speeches, drafting resolutions, and developing diplomatic strategies
- Teach and practice Model UN rules of procedure, including moderated and unmoderated caucuses, formal debate, negotiation, and voting
- Facilitate mock committee sessions and simulations that prepare students for conference participation
- Support students in developing confidence in public speaking, persuasive communication, active listening, and diplomatic negotiation
- Prepare students for the expectations, procedures, and responsibilities associated with representing their assigned countries
- Coordinate with Auxiliary Programs leadership on conference registration, student participation, scheduling, and logistical arrangements
- Attend and supervise students at scheduled Model UN conferences and related events
- Encourage students to reflect on their conference experiences, identify areas for growth, and apply lessons learned to future opportunities
Fostering a Positive Learning Environment
- Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where middle school students feel comfortable expressing ideas, asking questions, and exploring different perspectives
- Encourage intellectual curiosity, empathy, cultural awareness, and respectful dialogue
- Help students develop confidence in communicating their ideas while remaining open to the perspectives of others
- Support students in navigating disagreements constructively and engaging in thoughtful, evidence-based discussion
- Foster teamwork, responsibility, independence, and leadership through collaborative learning experiences
- Model respectful communication, ethical leadership, and positive participation in competitive and noncompetitive settings
- Ensure that discussions of complex global issues remain developmentally appropriate, balanced, and grounded in inquiry
Program Operations and Supervision
- Prepare and organize instructional materials, research resources, and simulation materials
- Maintain accurate attendance records and appropriate student supervision throughout each session
- Coordinate student transitions into and out of enrichment classes
- Communicate student progress, team needs, and program updates to Auxiliary Programs leadership
- Support communication with families regarding team expectations, conference schedules, and student participation
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in education, political science, international relations, history, global studies, or a related field
- Experience working with middle school students, particularly grades 6 – 8, in an educational, after school, camp, or youth development setting
- Experience teaching, coaching, or facilitating activities related to debate, public speaking, international relations, civics, or Model United Nations
- Familiarity with Model UN concepts, including country representation, research, debate, negotiation, and resolution development
- Strong public speaking, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills
- Ability to explain complex global issues in developmentally appropriate and engaging ways for middle school students
- Experience creating interactive, student-centered learning experiences
- Ability to foster respectful dialogue, collaboration, and critical thinking
- Willingness to support team preparation and attend scheduled Model UN conferences, including occasional weekends
- Commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment
Preferred
- Previous experience coaching or mentoring a middle school Model United Nations team and preparing students for conferences
- Experience participating in Model UN conferences as a delegate, chair, advisor, or coach
- Familiarity with Model UN rules of procedure, position papers, committee simulations, and resolution writing
- Knowledge of international affairs, the United Nations, and contemporary global challenges
- Experience organizing student participation in academic conferences, competitions, or leadership programs
- Understanding of progressive education, inquiry-based instruction, and experiential learning
- Experience working in independent schools, after school programs, or community-based enrichment programs
- Prior experience working as part of the Bank Street community
Bank Street College of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. Candidates from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Us
Bank Street is a leader in education, a pioneer in improving the quality of classroom practice, and a national advocate for children and their families.
Since its beginnings in 1916, Bank Street has been at the forefront of understanding how children learn and grow. From early childhood centers and schools to hospitals and museums, Bank Street has built a national reputation on the simple fact that our graduates know how to do the work that is right for children.
At Bank Street’s Graduate School of Education, students are trained in a model that combines the study of human development, learning theory, and sustained clinical placement to promote significant development as a teacher prior to graduation. Our children’s programs—Bank Street School for Children, Family Center, Bank Street Head Start, and Liberty LEADS—foster children’s development in the broadest sense by providing diverse opportunities for social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. The Bank Street Education Center disrupts inequity through system-level change to help design better educational experiences for both children and adults. The College further supports and influences positive outcomes for children every day through professional development programs, research projects, and other key efforts engaging educators, intermediary organizations, and government officials at the district, state, and federal levels.
