Life Skills Instructor

Overview

Meristem is dedicated to preparing young adults on the autism spectrum to build independence and meaningful lives, including opportunities for mainstream employment and independent living. We operate a small college-like campus in Fair Oaks and are seeking an experienced Essential Life Skills Instructor who is passionate about working with the neurodiverse community. The instructor will design and implement a curriculum to support life skills development, including topics such as men’s health, safe driving, general wellness, and recreational activities, through interactive teaching, individualized support, and collaboration with staff and the broader community.

9200 Fair Oaks Blvd. Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Pay: $23.00 per hour

• Medical plus $3k HRA to help offset medical costs
• Dental, Vision, and 401K
• Daily Lunch and Snacks provided

• Curriculum Development and Instruction:
  Prepare curriculum and lesson plans with a developmental progression for daily instruction. Conduct engaging and interactive classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions tailored to participants’ learning needs and goals.
• Guidance on men’s health, safe driving practices, medical/disability services, transportation, and general wellness; include physical fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
• Instruct participants on safe driving techniques, traffic rules, and basic responsible vehicle maintenance; incorporate wellness practices into instruction (stress management, mindfulness, self-care).
• Plan and execute ILS activities and field trips to integrate clients into the community with local businesses, health and disability services, transportation methods, and social recreation.
• Manage registration processes, collect fees, submit curricula, and communicate details to clients while nurturing positive relationships with vendors.
• Manage class budgets and track expenses; ensure safety regulations and guidelines are followed on and off campus.
• Maintain and manage the classroom and materials; ensure a productive learning environment.
• Assessment & Support:
  Assess client abilities, align projects and lessons to support skill development, and track progress; record daily data from the classroom and the field based on client goals and objectives.
• Work one-on-one and in small groups to develop motor skills; develop individualized plans with clients as needed.
• Program & Culture Development:
  Maintain Meristem’s cultural norms, manage spaces, attend staff meetings, participate in training, and develop a professional growth plan with supervision; engage with parents/guardians to support client progress and development.
• Collaboration & Additional Duties:
  Familiarize with foundational materials, collaborate with colleagues, implement program-oriented teaching approaches, substitute when needed, and teach additional program-specific content as required; support onboarding of new clients and staff; perform other duties as assigned.
• Knowledge &
  
  Skills:
  
  Understanding of neurodiverse populations, sensory integration, movement therapy concepts (as applicable), wellness topics, safety, classroom management, and the ability to modify instruction for diverse learning needs; engage with multiple perspectives in an unbiased manner; familiarity with Transformative Movement Education, Ruskin Mill, Therapeutic craft education, or Waldorf education is desirable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, or Arts
• Minimum 2 years of teaching experience
• Experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum – preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Current CA Driver’s License and updated auto insurance
• Knowledge of sensory integration, motor development, and movement-based interventions
• Background in disability education, direct support caregiver, or educator roles; work skills
• Experience teaching, coaching, or mentoring young adults in independent living skills
• Strong understanding of wellness, health, and safety topics; ability to modify instruction for different skill levels and sensory needs
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; ability to self-reflect and adopt new learning strategies
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and maintain attention to classroom details; strong safety and classroom management skills
• Patience, creativity, and a passion for inclusive arts education; ability to engage with multiple perspectives
• Familiarity or willingness to learn Transformative Movement Education, Ruskin Mill Therapeutic craft education, or Waldorf education

Pre-Employment Background and Drug Test Required