Thank you for your interest in being a part-time teacher in the Antelope Valley for Seen&Heard. Seen&Heard is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 to provide youth in foster care with professional and personal development via the performing arts – which has the unique ability to propel individuals forward. Seen&Heard’s core values are:
- All people are inherently valuable and have the right to dream
- Youth are at a critical turning point in life
- Everything can be redeemed
- Arts have the unique ability to restore and propel individuals forward
At Seen&Heard, we strive to make our workplace an inclusive and diverse environment, giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to have a voice, particularly the youth that we serve. We encourage those who bring different perspectives, ideas, and creativity to join our team. Seen&Heard is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace where we welcome all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, or other lived experience.
Seen&Heard seeks an instructor to lead students through Seen&Heard’s 18 week curriculum as a means of developing their professional character. S&H’s program is psycho-social and deeply relational. Students cultivate professional interpersonal skills through Seen&Heard’s trauma informed, evidence-based programming.
Creativity is imperative in order to customize the curriculum to suit the size, ability and temperament of the cohort. The skills required and responsibilities that flow from this position include, but not limited to:
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- Professionalism: Professionalism and compassion can help you be an effective instructor. You should be able to maintain a professional attitude at all times, even when you are dealing with challenging situations. This can help you maintain a safe and productive learning environment for your students
- Classroom Management: Classroom management refers to your ability to create a safe and equitable classroom environment. This includes keeping students engaged and respected. As an instructor, you may need to step in to manage a disruptive classroom situation or redirect a student’s attention. You can also use classroom management to ensure students are following your lesson plan and learning the intended material. Introducing curriculum and leading activities in a clear and engaging manner is essential.
- Relationship Management: Maintaining attendance records. Our program manager will communicate attendance to the designated student referral partners and provide feedback on students so partners are better informed on the needs of their clients.
Communication: Communicating to the Program Manager or Lead Instructor with updates on class and needs. Communicating with teaching partners and interns on specific plans for each lesson.
Administration: Light record-keeping is required along with student follow-ups to assist in missed classes, final projects or well-checks.
Building a Connection with Students: Develop a personable relationship with students over the course of the Phase 1 to allow for increased chances of students reaching out to explain attendance issues, reaching out to you for resources (which you will be able to loop in the program manager into), and to promote increased attendance because the students feel they have a safe adult to turn to if they need anything. You may use your lived experiences to self disclose with students why you chose to work in this position to build trust, should you choose to do so and feel it is appropriate to share.
Please review the information below. Click here to submit an application or scan the QR:
Questions? email Regan@seenandheard.org
| Job title | Instructor |
| Reports to | Program Manager/Lead Instructor |
Job purpose:
- To lead Antelope Valley students through Seen&Heard’s 18 week curriculum as a means of developing their professional character. S&H’s program is psycho-social and deeply relational. Students cultivate professional interpersonal skills through Seen&Heard’s trauma informed, evidence-based programming.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Teaching: Leading cohort through all 10 lessons of Phase 1
- Leading cohort through 8 lessons of Phase 2
- Preparing students for cohort wide graduation at the end of phase 2 with each student being responsible for one original work. Instructors are required to attend annual teacher training which is typically two days during the summer.
- Transporting:
- When needed, teachers will drive students to and/or from class. Not to exceed more than 10 miles one way. *Mileage will be tracked and cost for gas reimbursed
- When needed, picking up dinner for cohort before class and bringing meal to the site along with provided plates, utensils, napkins and drinks
Coordinating:
- Weekly virtual meetings with the lead instructor are required. Some communication with students is required during the week/before class to ensure transportation is confirmed or to remind students of scene work/homework.
- Assisting in setting up and tearing down for classes as well as bi-annual graduation events. Working with teaching partner or interns on weekly class structure and assignments
- Reporting:
- Taking attendance and announcing opportunities and events in class
- Communicating with Program Manager regarding any issues involving students, space or absences
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma, GED, or California Proficiency required
- Acting experience preferred (classes/improv/performances)
- Experience teaching older youth/teens
Overall organization skills desired:
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Punctual
- Coordinating small events or gatherings (preferred but not required)
Candidates should be flexible regarding the particular challenges facing youth in foster care. Dependability is a must, no more than three excused absences for a teacher is allowed per cohort cycle (18 weeks).
- Creativity is imperative in order to customize the curriculum to suit the size, ability and temperament of the cohort.
- Candidate must complete online trauma informed training as a condition of employment (employer shall provide course and cover cost)
- Candidate must complete S&H training, pass a background check, and submit a driving record
- Candidates must be supportive of all gender identities with supportive use of preferred pronouns.
- Candidates should have lived experience or professional experience with programming related to Foster youth, Justice Involvement, or other TAY lived experiences.
Salary:
- This position is hourly (non-exempt) and because its part-time does not include benefits, however there is potential to move up to full time. Hourly rate is based on qualifications and can be negotiated between $21.50/hr- 23.50/hr. Average hours per week are 6 and may not exceed 8.
Working conditions:
- Classes will be in person with virtual lesson planning related meetings. Reliable transportation is required. To accommodate the demographic we serve, classes may be in the evenings. Instructors may be asked to assist with twice yearly graduations which are typically held on a Saturday. Graduation ceremonies are not always held at the same location as class.
Physical requirements:
- Occasional lifting of objects up to 30lbs for set up tear down during and after classes and/or events
Direct reports:
- Lead Instructor, or Program Manager