Dance Teaching Artist - Middle (MS 124, South Ozone Park)

Job Description

Job Description

Dance Activity Specialist for Middle School Program, Elmhurst (MS 124) Queens (Part-Time Position) 
South Asian Youth Action (SAYA)

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is committed to providing its employees opportunities for growth in a supportive community environment. As an Activity Specialist, you will receive access to external opportunities and have considerable autonomy in designing and implementing new projects and curricula. With a school-day schedule and a generous benefits package, SAYA provides its employees a healthy work-life balance in a fast-growing youth development nonprofit.

SAYA: Belong. Grow. Thrive.

Organization Description:

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is an inclusive, South Asian-focused 501(c)3 youth development organization. Through our innovative, holistic approach, we work toward educational equity by providing opportunities and resources to less privileged New York City youth, ensuring they are empowered academically, emotionally, and socially to become engaged community members.

Established in 1996, SAYA provides valuable life skills and holistic, impactful programming to underserved New York City youth. As one of the first South Asian organizations created in the United States, SAYA is the only organization of its kind in the NYC metropolitan area providing inclusive and secular comprehensive youth development services while centering our community’s experiences. Today, SAYA provides programming at eight elementary, middle, and high schools in Queens and Brooklyn, along with our Elmhurst-based community center - serving a growing number of youths across all sites each year.

A key tenet of our work is cultivating vital social and emotional learning (SEL) skills such as belonging, confidence, and self-efficacy through intentionally designed, research-based curricula. Across our organization, services tailored for different age groups include leadership and identity development, academic support that bridges learning gaps, comprehensive college preparation, and activities that nurture creativity and build positive peer connections.

Position Summary:

The Dance Activity Specialist will lead engaging and inclusive dance classes for middle school students in an after-school program setting. The specialist will plan and facilitate lessons that are culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and accessible to students with varying skill levels. The role emphasizes fostering creativity, building confidence, and promoting teamwork through dance.

Reports to: Program Director

Compensation: $30-$45 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Must be available 2-5 days per week. This is an in-person position for the school year from September through June with potential rehire for summer and the following year.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise all activities to ensure the health, safety and well-being of program participants.

• Develop and implement lesson plans that introduce students to a variety of dance styles and techniques (e.g., hip-hop, ballet, modern, cultural/folk, creative movement)

• Create a culturally responsive environment that honors and reflects the diverse backgrounds of students.

• Incorporate skill-building activities that progress over time, culminating in a student showcase or performance

• Manage classroom and maintain positive learning environment.

• Build positive relationships with youth and adults and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication and overall attitude.