Horizons - Classroom Coach

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation's largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University's nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si' campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre.

View SHU's Faculty Experts Here

To apply

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

Assist grade-level teaching team by actively participating in academic and recreational activities.


Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the classroom team to support approximately 18-22 students.
• Assume the role of big brother/big sister and mentor.
• Build strong and mutually respectful relationships with staff and students on the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration.
• Participate in creating an emotionally safe and trauma-responsive classroom environment
• Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners
• Help to foster, establish, and maintain an emotionally safe and trauma-informed environment at Horizons SHU
• Lead small group activities under the supervision of program staff to share their passions, hobbies, talents, and skills with students
• Prepare and gather materials to support student learning
• Monitor the well-being of students and help them safely transition between activities
• Actively participate in learning and recreation, assuming the role of model student
• Actively participate during swimming instruction ( must enter the water with students)
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Experience working with children.
• A passion for learning
• Capacity to be a responsible role model for students.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team player, and a commitment to social-emotional growth.

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a seasonal summer program position. Staff are required to attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, community events, and clean-up/reporting days.


This is a full-day position.

• Training Days generally run 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
• Program days are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Dates of Program:

• Training week: 6/22 through 6/26/26
• Program Days: 6/29 through 8/7/26
• Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/10 & 8/11/26

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.