Mission Graduates is a nonprofit organization that increases the number of K-12 students in San Francisco who are prepared for and complete a college education. We work towards fulfilling our mission through a wide range of after-school support and services, serving over 4,800 children, youth, and families each year. Our vision is to transform the culture of our neighborhoods so that college becomes the expectation for families, rather than the exception.
Program Overview:
- The Mission Graduates Bessie Beacon is centered in the heart of the SOMA Community, and is a program model that includes afterschool and summer programming, school-day support, and parent engagement through a collaboration of program partners. For youth, we aim to create a sense of safety, promote skill mastery, foster supportive relationships, and demonstrate growth in youth development and academic measures. In addition, we also work with the whole family to help parents gain the information and practice to be more effective advocates for their children’s education and connect them with resources that support the overall wellness of the family.
- In order to accomplish this work, the Bessie Carmichael Elementary School Carmichael Beacon Program draws on the strength and experience of both Mission Graduates Beacon Team and the Bessie Carmichael Elementary School School Day Admin team.
Position Overview
- This position requires someone passionate about student health, wellness, and social-emotional growth, supporting the whole child. As the Student Behavior and Wellness Lead, you will report directly to the Beacon Director at Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, Carmichael K-8. The Student Behavior and Wellness Lead will also need to collaborate with daytime staff at Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, including the Principal, Assistant Principals, school Social Worker, and other supporting partners. Your role bridges the school day and after-school programs to ensure consistent support for students’ self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills. The position would include regular support during school day hours as well as after school. During the school day, you will staff the Wellness Center, providing space for reflection, emotional regulation, and restorative practices. In the afterschool program, you’ll promote belonging, engagement, and SEL-based learning through enrichment activities and positive behavior supports.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Create a safe and supportive restorative environment for students
- Provide a calm, structured Wellness Center in collaboration with the Wellness Coordinator that helps students identify and manage emotions, develop self-awareness, and practice effective regulation strategies.
- Support the Wellness Center in collaboration with the Wellness Coordinator during the school day with daily student check-ins focused on emotional literacy and self-reflection.
- Facilitate peer conflicts using restorative circles, mediation, and mindful communication practices.
- Collaborate with the Wellness Team and CBO partners to integrate self-regulation and coping-skills sessions into lunchtime supports and SEL groups.
- Support students’ individual behavior and emotional plans, helping them build agency and resilience.
- Provide supervision and support during lunch and recess as capacity allows
- Track wellness center visits and outcomes to identify patterns and plan proactive interventions.
- Partner with the social worker and admin team to implement triage plans for high-risk students.
Build cultural and educational bridges with students and their families
- Develop positive relationships with students, teachers, and staff and maintain positive rapport with parents/guardians grounded in empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a growth mindset.
- Coach students to articulate their emotions, set personal goals, and track their behavioral growth.
- Maintain communication with Site Coordinator, Beacon Director, and School Social Worker, as well as Bessie Carmichael Elementary School Admin
- Attend scheduled Beacon Initiative events and meetings
- Partner with parents and guardians, school staff, Mission Graduates’ staff, and any other necessary partners to reinforce self-management and relationship-building strategies and create a cohesive support network for students
- Participate and/or plan community and family wellness events that promote mindfulness and collective care.
Integrate SEL strategies into daily programming
- Model and teach SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
- Support SEL curriculum implementation emphasizing mindfulness, emotion regulation, and empathy. • Reinforce restorative and reflective practices that help students re-engage in learning.
- Support class management and use calm-down strategies and reflection routines.
- Lead activities that integrate SEL — cooperative games, journaling, arts, and movement.
- Provide academic and enrichment support that nurtures confidence, focus, and perseverance.
Behavior Training, Coaching & Capacity-Building
- Provide job-embedded coaching to staff on de-escalation techniques, regulation strategies, trauma-informed responses, and reflective discipline practices.
- Support staff in understanding the “why” behind student behavior and applying consistent, developmentally appropriate interventions.
- Develop and facilitate professional learning sessions on SEL curriculum, behavior management, and restorative approaches.
- Support alignment of behavior expectations and response systems across the school day, after-school, and summer programming.
- Support both the school day and the after-school program with Socio-Emotional Learning strategies and school-wide systems alignment
Assist in the daily operations of the EDP, including supervising youth, administrative tasks & staff development
- Attend weekly staff meetings and school meetings as needed
- Attend team meetings when capacity allows
- Provide coaching to afterschool staff on embedding Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and restorative practices into enrichment and academic activities.
- On-site during the Summer program, June- Aug, to support staff in implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum for students and families
Required Qualifications:
B.A. required, preferably in Child Development, Child Psychology, or Social Work
Strong interest in education and socio-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and restorative practices.
Demonstrated ability to teach or model self-awareness, emotion regulation, and stress-management techniques.
Understanding of youth development and culturally responsive education.
Passion for working with students and youth is a must, as well as a willingness to explore alternative, non-institutional teaching methods.
Must be able to relate effectively to diverse communities and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity
Bilingual Spanish/English fluency is preferred;
TB test clearance is mandatory prior to hire
Experience working in communities of color with low-income populations;
Candidates must be flexible, well-organized, and able to take initiative
Must have excellent organizational and time management skills
