Who We Are

Creative Action is a community of artists and educators who believe in the transformative power of the arts. As a Teaching Artist, you are the heart of our mission, serving as the primary instructional lead for our high-quality Out of School Time (OST) and summer programs. We use creative expression to inspire youth (primarily elementary-aged) to become courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders.

Who We Want

As the heart of Creative Action’s direct service, the Teaching Artist is a highly motivated, team-oriented leader with a growth mindset and a deep passion for social justice and youth development. Responsible for a cohort of 15–20 students, you will serve as an inclusive facilitator who values diverse life experiences and uses the arts to inspire youth to become creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders. This role requires a creative problem solver who can anticipate challenges with a positive attitude and a collaborative communicator who maintains a "can-do" spirit while building trust within a fast-paced community.

We serve schools throughout the Greater Austin area, including campuses in Del Valle, Manor, and Lockhart. Specific school placement will be determined post-hire based on staffing levels and program needs; while we do our best to accommodate requests, flexibility is key.

The schedule for this position is typically Monday through Friday, 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM when school is in session, alongside essential Friday morning training sessions from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. This is an ideal opportunity for those dedicated to the transformative power of the arts and the mission of fostering critical thinking and leadership in the next generation.

Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum

• Classroom Leadership: Supervise a classroom of 15–20 students, leading all activities including lessons, snack time, outdoor play, and transitions.
• Lesson Planning: Develop daily and semester-long plans that align with Creative Action pedagogy and program goals.
• Classroom Management: Use positive behavior strategies to ensure student safety and foster a sense of community.
• Program Vision: Maintain site procedures and high expectations in collaboration with Site Coordinators.

Operations & Compliance

• Safety: Maintain strict compliance with Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) Minimum Standards and organizational safety protocols.
• Documentation: Ensure timely communication, accurate sign-in/out procedures, and on-site paperwork.
• Reliability: Maintain a consistent attendance record to provide stability for our students.
• Logistics: Travel to and from assigned program sites; accurately report hours worked (including paid prep and meeting time).

Professional Development & Community

• Growth: Attend mandatory Friday morning trainings (10 AM – 1 PM), arts cohort sessions, and online DFPS training.
• Social Justice: Actively participate in anti-racism and inclusive practice efforts, including three full-company meetings per year.
• Events: Support community showcases and festivals, such as the Youth Arts Festival.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Reliable transportation to travel to and from various program sites.
• Physical Mobility: Ability to move quickly to ensure student safety, navigate stairs/ramps, and supervise students in classrooms and playgrounds across variable weather conditions.
• Clearance: Ability to pass all required background checks and fingerprinting for HHS licensing.
• Certification: Willingness to obtain CPR & First-Aid certification prior to start (provided by Creative Action).

Qualifications

• Artistic Background: Experience in visual arts, theater, music, dance, or film (Preferred).
• Educational Experience: Prior work with youth in educational or recreational settings; knowledge of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks (Preferred).
• Skills: Strong organizational abilities and excellent interpersonal communication.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a significant plus