Lower Elementary After School Teacher

Lower Elementary After School Teacher Part-Time • Grades K-2 • Follows Springhurst Elementary School Calendar About the Role GaragePod is looking for a thoughtful, curious educator with a genuine interest in how young children develop — their creativity, their thinking, and their early literacy. This role is less about leading and more about facilitating — setting the stage, introducing something worth exploring, and then giving kids the space to take it somewhere. You'll be the steady presence behind one of the program's most active and imaginative areas. Your role is to create the conditions where children can build, perform, explore, and engage with one another. This is a role for someone observant and engaged, who finds young children genuinely interesting and knows how to meet them where they are. What You'll Do Community & Culture Greet children and guide a calm, organized arrival into the space Build familiarity with each child — their interests, their pace, and what helps them engage Help regulate children by supporting transitions such as snack, bathroom, and settling into the space Communicate professionally with colleagues and families as needed The Space Own the rug area and its activities — building, library, games, dress-up, and music — creating an environment children want to return to each day Teach games clearly and with enthusiasm — introduce the rules, play a round, and then hand it over to the kids so they can lead the way Introduce a daily provocation tailored to the space — a building challenge, a book share, a science prompt — and then give kids room to run with it Support children's imaginative play — the shows, the performances, the invented worlds — without directing it Steward the library with care — keeping it organized, browsable, and alive Maintain the building area as an open, well-stocked invitation to construct and create Know when to step in and when to step back — your presence should support, not overshadow Introduce a weekly outdoor provocation using the yard and mud kitchen as a space for exploration, building, and open-ended play Program Operations Support daily program operations, including snack and arrival Reset the building area, library, and games each day so the space remains organized and inviting Maintain strong supervision and awareness of children within your space at all times Supervise children outdoors with a focus on safety and presence Planning & Collaboration Come prepared each day with a simple activity for the space Input plans into a shared master calendar to keep the program coordinated Check in regularly with your supervisor to align on programming and continue growing in the role Attend monthly staff meetings What We're Looking For 1-2 years of experience working with children in a structured setting Thoughtful and curious — someone who finds young children interesting and knows how to connect with them Comfortable facilitating open-ended, child-led experiences without needing to control the outcome Knowledgeable about games and how to teach them — and resourceful enough to keep finding new ones Someone who loves books and ideas — and knows how to bring them to life for young children Reliable, organized, and able to maintain a welcoming and well-run space Clear, professional communication with children, families, and colleagues Able to use basic systems for communication and program coordination Bachelor's degree required; background in education, child development, or a related field preferred This role is a strong fit for someone considering a future in teaching, education, or library science. Schedule & Compensation Part-time, Monday-Friday (follows Springhurst Elementary School calendar) Typical hours: approximately 2:15-6:15pm Some days follow modified hours due to early release or half days Monthly staff meetings are required Additional hours available for planning, meetings, and special events Hourly rate: $22-$28 and based on experience This is a school-year position, with the opportunity to return each year and grow within the program. Benefits Eligible employees may participate in GaragePod's 401(k) plan after one year of service, including employer matching Benefits eligibility varies by role and hours worked and is outlined in the employee handbook Why GaragePod GaragePod is an after-school program built around creativity, play, and real-world experiences. We prioritize making, conversation, and time together.

Pay:

$22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person