Coney Island & South Brooklyn Teaching Artists

Job Description

Job Description

Splat Lab is seeking dynamic, engaging, and adventurous Lead Educators and Teaching Assistants to join our team for after-school residencies and pop-ups. If you are a creative educator looking to grow your practice and thrive in a creative and fun program, this is the place for you!

The ideal candidate will have multiple-day availability and is flexible to teach workshops at different schools.

We have programs in all parts of NYC but are specifically hiring for:

• Coney Island Residencies: Consistent Mondays & Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 at several schools starting September
• South Brooklyn: We also serve schools during the school day through weekly residencies and pop-ups that are being scheduled now

About Us: Splat Lab exists for the sole purpose of having fun! We grew out of the world of after-school, where we partner with over 100 schools to provide high-quality and unique enrichment classes for youth. We also work with schools during the day and offer residencies and pop-ups. In the summer, we run camps in Downtown Brooklyn and the Upper West Side.

Each Splat class is formatted in 4 open stations: The Main Splat activity, such as making slime, marshmallow towers, or ooze, Splat Create where students can choose from a few activities such as monster puppets or zine making, Open Splat: butcher paper drawing, and Splat Build: cup towers, dominoes, etc.

Position Descriptions:

We have 4 tiers of educators

Explorers/Interns: new to education. We provide additional training and coaching with the opportunity to graduate and work as a regular assistant and eventually a Lead Educator

Teaching Assistants : work with leads to support classes

Lead Educators : Lead classes, delegate TAs or support staff from the school, be the point person for residencies

Master Teaching Artists : Can work alone, are very experienced (5 years minimum), masters level or similar, highly seasoned and are superstars. Lead educators can transition into the MTA role after coaching and approval

We will provide virtual training and shadowing opportunities for educators to learn the teaching method and curriculum. Lead Educators will mentor TAs and give clear directions for their role in each session. Pairs will debrief and communicate frequently about how to make sure workshops are continually high quality, fun, and smooth.

Position Qualifications: We are looking for Educators who can learn any kind of curriculum and make it fun and intellectually satisfying. We need the type of person who kids can't wait to see, with group management skills to ensure a smooth, fun and exciting class.

• 1-3 years of working with youth in a leadership role: leading groups in after-school, summer camps, museums, or early childhood settings. Babysitting and 1x1 tutoring experience is not applicable for this role (ok for explorers)
• A dynamic, cool, magnetic personality that will engage all students.
• Strong group management skills with the ability to confidently organize and lead transitions, set up structured projects, and create clear rituals and routines.
• The ability to direct and collaborate with TAs to keep all students excited and on task.
• Experience with strength-based, restorative, positive discipline practices.
• A progressive teaching style

Lead Educator Background and Training

Splat Lab: Strong facilitation and classroom management skills, creativity, STEM knowledge a plus but not required

• Museum educators, teaching artists or educators with a background in Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia etc. are highly encouraged to apply.
• Experience with under-resourced schools and special needs populations will be an advantage for some placements. 

Compensation

Explorers: $18 per hour

Assistant Teachers: $25 per hour

Lead Educators: $35 per hour

Master Teaching Artists: $50 per hour

We provide paid set up and clean up time and all materials come pre-prepped and packed!

Application Process and Timeline

Candidates will be invited to an engaging group interview where they will demo one of our signature projects. Our group interviews are designed to be a community-building experience that gives applicants a mini-training on how our program works. Candidates then become a part of our paid Slime School program where we teach you how to lead all of our unique projects. We take onboarding seriously and give lots of shadowing, coaching, and training before taking on a residency or pop up. We cater the coaching and support to your needs.