Lead Program Instructor
Washington, DC/ Highland Community Center
Part-Time, Hourly (~25 hours/week)
About So What Else
So What Else, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in underserved communities across the Washington, DC and Maryland areas. Through a combination of critical food security initiatives and free, high-quality out-of-school time programming, we focus on empowering young people. Our core values center on holistic care, community service, and providing safe, enriching environments where youth can thrive.
We are committed to building a trauma-informed, restorative culture across our youth centers, one where behavior is handled through accountability and healing rather than punitive discipline, and where every child feels seen, supported, and capable of growth.
Equal Employment Opportunity at So What Else
So What Else is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We evaluate candidates based on qualifications and lived experience, and we encourage those who may not meet every listed qualification to apply.
Research shows that self-selecting out of opportunities is especially common among people from marginalized backgrounds, and we don't want to miss the chance to learn about the strengths you'd bring to this role.
About the Position
Our youth centers welcome children of all ages simultaneously, from elementary through high school, in a multi-age, out-of-school time environment. The Lead Program Instructor designs and teaches the daily curriculum for their center, covering academics, sports, art, health, and life skills, while modeling a restorative, relationship-centered approach to working with kids.
This role runs on-site during afterschool hours, generally 3:00–6:30/7:30pm, and includes helping set up and close down the program each day. The Lead Program Instructor reports to the Youth Center Director.
What You'll Do/
Curriculum & Instruction
- Write and teach daily curriculum covering these core areas: academics, sports, arts, health, and life skills
- Design activities that work across a wide age range (Kindergarten through middle school) sharing the same space at the same time
- Submit curriculum materials and any requested supplies at least one week in advance of when they're needed
Restorative Practice & Program Culture
- Bring a restorative, relationship-centered approach to how you teach and manage behavior in the space.
- Help build a program culture where kids feel safe, supported, and treated with care and consistency.
Daily Program Operations
- Help set up the space at the start of the program and close it down at the end of each day.
- Help keep the space clean, with the participation and support of the students.
Team Communication & Coordination
- Communicate clearly with the rest of the team about your lesson plans and what their roles are in supporting each day's activities.
- Coordinate with the Youth Center Director and DC Youth Program Coordinator on opportunities to bring in outside organizations to teach or lead activities with the students (the Director will take the lead on securing these partnerships).
Who You Are
The qualifications listed here are meant as a guide, not a checklist. If you believe you can meet the overall expectations of this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't check every box.
- You have experience teaching, coaching, or leading activities with school-age kids, whether in a classroom, camp, recreation, or out-of-school time setting.
- You're comfortable designing curriculum or activities across a range of subjects, sports, arts, health/SEL, and academics, not just one specialty.
- You are drawn to restorative, relationship-centered approaches to behavior management, or are eager to learn and apply them.
- You're organized and dependable, and can consistently submit lesson plans and supply requests on a weekly deadline.
- You communicate clearly and proactively with a team, and are comfortable helping coordinate logistics like setup, cleanup, and daily roles.
- You bring patience, flexibility, and genuine care for young people to your work every day.
- You're available to work on-site during afterschool hours (approximately 3:00–6:30/7:30pm).
What We Offer
The hourly rate for this role is ~$20/hr.
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Tamara Rubin to [email protected], outlining how your experience and approach align with this role.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
If you require accommodations to complete this application or to participate in our hiring process, please contact us at
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
