Educator, Community Programs

Anticipated

Schedule:

8:30am – 5:00pm;
Wednesday – Sunday

Pay: $19.44/Hour

Position Summary:

The department of Community Programs and Inclusion at Please Touch Museum develops and delivers accessible, mission-driven programming that connects diverse communities to the Museum through play-based learning experiences. Members of the Department of Community Programs and Inclusion facilitate and develop Journey Together programs, field trips, and general museum programming. Journey Together is a grant funded program exclusively for children, ages 8 months to 5 years old, and their caretakers.

This position will require an experienced knowledge of the value of learning through play. Community Programs Educators are expected to interact with families with compassion and excitement. It is essential that Community Programs Educators show an interest and knowledge in our surrounding communities of Parkside, Mantua, and Belmont. They will be expected to engage children and caretakers in the importance of learning through play while also developing critical social emotional skills for children who participate in Journey Together programs and all respective Community Programs engagements.

Community Programs Educators must have a collaborative attitude, an ability to implement lesson plans as designed while improvising creatively when necessary for this position, and a willingness to travel offsite as it relates to the purview of Community Programs and Inclusion assignments.

This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.

• Facilitate interdisciplinary, innovative, and play-based instruction during Journey Together program sessions.
• Lead and/or support instruction during Journey Together program sessions and other assigned sessions that fall within the Community Programs Department purview.
• Support the holistic development of participating children, and caregivers, through implementation of a multidimensional curriculum that fosters social, emotional, and pre-academic readiness for early learning and/or kindergarten.
• Utilize varied instructional strategies to support accessibility, inclusion, and developmental differences among children and families.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of how to facilitate learning through play for both children and families
• Prepare physical and digital materials for each session, including name tags, manipulatives, instructional tools, etc.
• Set up and troubleshoot classroom technology (projectors, tablets, audio equipment, etc.) prior to and during sessions.
• Ensure the learning space is welcoming, inclusive, and ready for programming, in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Journey Together and/or Community Programs team regarding instructional progress, child or family needs, and any challenges that arise.
• Attend and actively participate in all required trainings, departmental meetings, and museum-wide professional development sessions. Uphold museum values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all interactions with visitors and colleagues.
• Travel offsite for programmatic responsibilities related to Journey Together or Community Programs assignments, as necessary.
• Engage visitors in play and learning experiences across museum exhibits and program spaces, including but not limited to the Creative Arts Studio, Makerspace, Playhouse Theater, and other exhibits.
• Facilitate field trip programs across a range of academic subjects for school groups.
• Lead themed activities during museum holidays, festivals, and special events.
• Monitor and adapt play environments to support family engagement, accessibility, and meaningful learning through play. Assist with routine upkeep of exhibits, including the Food and Family exhibit, following standard operating procedures for restocking, cleaning, and resetting spaces.
• Perform levels of administrative tasks including email correspondence, program preparation, and cleaning and organizing program materials.
• Collaborate with other departments (Admissions, Membership, Visitor Experience, etc.) as needed, including carousel operations and supporting…