Arts & Crafts Teacher, Lower Elementary (After School)
Part-Time · Grades K–2 · Follows Springhurst Elementary School Calendar
About the Role
GaragePod is looking for an experienced early childhood educator to lead our Arts & Crafts space.
The ideal candidate understands how young children learn through hands-on experiences and knows how to create an environment where they feel confident exploring materials, trying new ideas, and making things with pride. You enjoy working with paint, clay, cardboard, recyclables, and everyday craft materials, but your greatest strength is knowing how to engage a room full of young children with warmth, energy, and confidence.
This role is equal parts teacher, facilitator, and maker. You'll spend your afternoons introducing creative projects, supporting children's ideas, and keeping a busy studio running smoothly.
What You’ll Do
Arts & Crafts
- Own the Arts & Crafts space, creating a welcoming environment children look forward to visiting each day.
- Plan and lead daily arts, crafts, sensory, and maker activities using a wide variety of materials.
- Set up materials that invite children to explore, create, and problem-solve independently.
- Balance teacher-led projects with open-ended making and child-directed exploration.
- Introduce children to new tools, techniques, and materials in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Encourage creativity while helping children build confidence and independence.
- Keep the space organized, well stocked, and ready for the next group.
Community & Culture
- Welcome children into the space with warmth and enthusiasm.
- Build strong relationships with children and help create a positive group environment.
- Encourage kindness, cooperation, and pride in one's work.
- Communicate professionally with colleagues and families as needed.
Program Operations
- Support daily transitions throughout the program.
- Maintain strong supervision and awareness of children at all times.
- Supervise children indoors and outdoors with a focus on safety.
- Set up, organize, and clean materials each day so the space remains inviting and ready to use.
Planning & Collaboration
- Prepare activities in advance using a variety of materials and techniques.
- Add plans to the shared program calendar.
- Collaborate regularly with your supervisor and teammates.
- Attend monthly staff meetings
What We’re Looking For
- 3+ years of experience working with children ages 4–8 in an early childhood or elementary classroom, preschool, or similar educational setting.
- Strong understanding of child development and how young children learn through play, creativity, and hands-on experiences.
- Experience planning and leading arts, crafts, sensory, or maker activities for young children.
- Comfortable managing a busy group while maintaining a calm, positive environment.
- Energetic, dependable, and ready to jump into the day.
- Enjoys working with a wide variety of art and craft materials, including paint, clay, cardboard, recycled materials, loose parts, and sensory materials.
- Bachelor's degree required; degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, Art Therapy or Art Education preferred.
Schedule & Compensation
- Part-time, Monday–Friday (follows Springhurst Elementary School calendar)
- Typical hours: approximately 2:00–5:30PM
- Some days follow modified hours due to early release or half days
- Monthly staff meetings are required
- Additional hours available for planning, meetings, and special events
- Hourly rate: $28-33 based on experience
- This is a school-year position with the opportunity to return each year and grow
Benefits
- Eligible employees may participate in GaragePod’s 401(k) plan after one year of service, including employer matching
- Benefits eligibility varies by role & hours worked and is outlined in the employee handbook
About GaragePod
We believe the best afternoons are the ones that follow the natural rhythm of a child. When children are given the time, space, and freedom to explore, they create the weird, the wacky, and the wonderful. Those are the moments we cherish. We celebrate children's curiosity, imagination, and individuality and the unique ways they make sense of the world. The narrator in the The Little Prince reminds us that, "all grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it." At GaragePod, we're looking for the ones who still do.
Pay: $28.00 - $33.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
