Friends of Down Syndrome – Houston, TX
Pay: $14.00/hour
Schedule: 3 days per week | 7-hour shifts
Position Type: Part-Time | One-Year Grant-Funded Pilot Position
About Us
Friends of Down Syndrome is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults with Down syndrome through education, life skills, vocational training, and meaningful social opportunities.
We are launching our new Foundations Program, a specialized classroom designed for adults who benefit from individualized instruction, visual supports, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Position Summary
The Foundations Program Instructor will lead a small classroom of up to six participants, providing individualized instruction in communication, functional academics, art, fitness, and daily living skills. This instructor will play a key role in developing the curriculum and helping participants build communication, confidence, and independence using AAC communication boards.
Participants will remain integrated into the larger academy for lunch, social activities, music, special events, and other group experiences.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a daily classroom schedule.
- Create engaging, individualized lesson plans.
- Teach communication using AAC communication boards.
- Provide instruction in functional language arts, math, art, fitness, and life skills.
- Adapt lessons to meet each participant's learning style.
- Track participant progress and communicate with program leadership.
- Maintain a positive, structured, and supportive classroom environment.
- Collaborate with staff to promote participant success.
Qualifications
- Experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities preferred.
- Experience in special education, early childhood education, ABA, speech support, or related fields is a plus.
- Patient, creative, organized, and enthusiastic.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with a team.
- High school diploma required; college coursework in education, special education, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
What We Offer
- Small class size (maximum of six participants)
- Opportunity to build and shape a brand-new program
- Supportive, mission-driven nonprofit environment
- Meaningful work that makes a lasting difference in the lives of adults with Down syndrome
Pay: $14.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
