Arts Instructor

After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. 
 
Thirty years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do. 
 
We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).  Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 
 
Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park.  
 
Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. 
 
For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org. 
Summary of Position:
After School Matters is seeking instructors to begin working in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025. After School Matters is reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to teach Arts programs for 15-30 high school participants (15:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20 for 2024-2025.
Example of Arts programs include:

• Performing arts (dance, vocal, etc.)
• Visual arts (photography, painting, mosaics, etc.)
• Culinary arts (food preparation, pastry, etc.)

The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to the content area. An instructor will expose teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable programmatic outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation.
Instructors must have a program curriculum plan. See ASM Program Planner
After School Matters has four program branches: North/Northwest, South/Southwest, Downtown, and Program Supports (special initiatives). Please note that Interstate-55 is an approximate dividing line between our North/Northwest and South/Southwest branches.
Program Sessions and Schedules
The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows:

• Summer: 6 to 7 weeks, daily Monday through Thursday/Friday (based upon the program model), four instructional hours per day. Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
  • Summer programs begin in early June 2024
• Fall: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
  • Fall programs begin in late September or early October 2024
• Spring: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
  • Spring programs begin in late February 2025
• Daytime during School Year (Fall & Spring): 9am-2pm. Exact program days are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
• Limited opportunities for Saturday only programs are available.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Expose a diverse group of teen participants to various facets of content area-specific industry while fostering a positive, safe, and collaborative atmosphere for all teen participants.
• Maintain knowledge of current industry trends, technology and concepts
• Prepare, organize, and supervise interactive, teen-led activities on content area
• Develop, plan, and implement high-quality related field trips, master classes, events, and guest visits to enhance instruction and training
• Provide supervision during program field trips and other youth engagement opportunities
• Report all problems or concerns and program updates to After School Matters Program Specialist to maintain consistent lines of communication throughout the program session
• Attend all planning and program dates, including: Instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions
• Participate in the recruitment, interview, and selection process of teen program participants
• Manage and track program activities such as attendance, interview outcomes, enrollment, evaluation surveys, and pertinent student records in an online data tracking system (CitySpan).
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratio

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated practical knowledge of content area
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Customer service skills; ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders (teen participants, parents, ASM programs staff, vendors, etc.)
• Cultural competence

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant content area etc. is preferred; high school diploma or GED required.
• Experience working in a field relevant to the content area is required.
• Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods is required.
• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required.

Additional Requirements:
Staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved medical or sincerely held religious beliefs exemption prior to starting employment. If a medical or sincerely held religious belief exemption is approved, weekly Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is required as part of any reasonable accommodation.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time for programs that take place outside of a conventional classroom space.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

How to Apply:
Apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and application here: https://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply
EEO:
After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.
 

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