Substitute Instructor (Teaching Artist)

About Search Firm

This position is being facilitated by Pathway Talent Solutions Group, a specialized recruitment and talent advisory firm. We partner with organizations to identify, engage, and place exceptional talent. Candidates will be supported throughout the process with clear communication, guidance, and advocacy to ensure the best fit for both client and candidate.

Reports to: Site Project Manager
Department: Programs
Position Type: Part-Time/Non-Exempt
Days: Mon-Fri
Hours: Varies
Supervision: No

About Big Thought:  

Big Thought equips youth to imagine and create their best lives and world. The secret that makes our work uniquely effective is the powerful combination of our social and emotional focus, experiential learning, community-centered partnerships, with a future focus.  

Throughout our 30+ year history of innovation, Big Thought has become a national model in arts education, out of school time systems, summer learning and juvenile justice intervention. Now, we’re one of six community partnerships in the U.S helping scale national best practices in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We take direct-to-youth programs and resources to communities with the greatest needs and share our evidence-based best practices with other nonprofits and organizations through a suite of consultation services including professional development, curriculum design and technical assistance.  

#Big Thought Way:  

Big Thought brings relentless optimism, innovation, and imagination to everything we do. We emphasize the need to center youth and use a collaborative, all-hands-on-deck approach to ensure that they are served well. 

To learn more about Big Thought, visit: https://bigthought.org

About the Role

The Substitute Teaching Artist (Instructor) designs and delivers engaging, learner-centered instruction that inspires creativity, curiosity, and skill development among youth and young adults. Working in partnership with Big Thought staff and school partners, the Substitute Teaching Artist creates inclusive learning experiences that foster academic growth, creative expression, and social-emotional development.

Substitute Teaching Artist's serve as subject matter experts who bring their artistic or specialized discipline to life through high-quality instruction aligned with Big Thought's educational philosophy and instructional framework.

About the Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a passionate educator, artist, or creative professional who believes in the transformative power of learning through the arts. They are student-centered, collaborative, and committed to creating engaging learning environments where every learner can succeed.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Passion for working with children, youth, and young adults from diverse communities.
• Expertise within their artistic or instructional discipline.
• Strong classroom management and facilitation skills.
• A growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning.
• Creativity, flexibility, and adaptability.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive instruction.

What the Role Entails:

Instruction & Learning

• Deliver engaging, high-quality instruction for students ages 4–24 in alignment with Big Thought's instructional framework, Six Dimensions of Quality, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and project-based learning principles.
• Create learner-centered experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of learners with varying abilities, learning styles, and developmental levels.
• Foster an inclusive classroom environment where every learner feels welcomed, respected, and empowered to participate.

Curriculum Planning & Instructional Design

• Develop, document, and implement engaging lesson plans aligned with program goals and learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with Big Thought staff to design instructional experiences that integrate creative learning strategies and the Creator Archetype.
• Incorporate scaffolding, modeling, and differentiated instructional practices to maximize student engagement and success.
• Prepare instructional materials and maintain an organized learning environment.

Coaching & Professional Growth

• Partner with instructional coaches to strengthen teaching practice through observation, feedback, and continuous improvement.
• Apply coaching recommendations to enhance instructional effectiveness.
• Participate in required trainings, professional development, team meetings, and collaborative planning sessions.
• Model instructional best practices and, when appropriate, support novice instructors through co-teaching and mentorship.

Program Administration

• Submit lesson plans, attendance, assessments, schedules, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate program records and instructional materials.
• Communicate effectively with program staff, school partners, and families, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience teaching or facilitating instruction within an educational, arts, nonprofit, or community-based setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in a creative discipline or instructional content area.
• Experience developing lesson plans and delivering learner-centered instruction.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction, classroom management, and instructional scaffolding.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to engage learners from diverse backgrounds and varying ability levels.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including after-school, evening, and occasional weekend hours.

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

To perform the duties of role successfully, you may regularly be required to: sit, stand, or stare at computer screen for long periods of time; participate in external activities; use various office equipment, some manual; work in environment with loud sounds, multiple distractions, and interruptions; be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures on occasion.
 
EMPLOYMENT TERM:

Part-Time, Temporary — This position follows the academic school-year calendar, generally beginning near the start of the school year and concluding at the end of the school year.

Note:

WE VISUALIZE A WORKPLACE THAT PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE.  WE BELIEVE A BASELINE REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION IS EVERYONE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT –REGARDLESS THE ISSUE AT HAND. 

Employees of Big Thought are expected to participate in mission-driven activities, meetings, committees, etc. BT is based on a team environment and an openness to always “lend a hand” as appropriate to another employee.

All employees are required to adhere to BT policies and procedures.  All employees may expect to perform duties as assigned. In addition, all employees may be assigned “other” duties in the spirit of teamwork.

This posting is not an employment agreement or contract. The CEO and/or designee has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.