After-School Program Leader

After-School Program Leader

Westerly School, Long Beach, CA

Our School

Westerly School is an independent, non-sectarian Kindergarten through 8th grade school focused on whole child education. Westerly School strives to recognize and meet the needs of every individual student to ignite within each child a lifelong love of learning as they discover their full and unique potential. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents who wanted to provide an alternative to the Long Beach Unified School District education, Westerly remains the only independent school in Long Beach. Westerly currently enrolls 175–185 students.

Position Description

We seek an energetic and passionate part-time Program Leader to join our community as a part of the Westerly Wildcat After-School Program. Candidates with experience in athletics, the arts, and technology are all encouraged to apply. (Spanish language fluency is a plus!) The Program Leader is responsible for the implementation of a quality program that enriches the students academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Under the guidance of the After-School Program Coordinator the Program Leaders are responsible for helping to maintain a safe, clean site, ensuring a high level of quality programming. Staff will build relationships with the students as role models and mentors in order to support them in their intellectual, emotional, moral and physical growth. We are looking for enthusiastic collaborators and creative thinkers to develop their own unique lesson plans and activities catered to student interests. This is a great opportunity to practice and sharpen your craft as an educator.

The idea candidate will:

• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging both in their teaching practices and their relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, and families.
• Work collaboratively with the Wildcat team to promote lifelong learning, curiosity, and inquiry among students in engaging and creative ways.
• Bring enthusiasm for working with children in a school setting; participate wholeheartedly in the life of the school; and conduct themselves professionally and warmly
• Communicate clearly with colleagues, families, and students as needed
• Demonstrate curiosity, creativity, self-reflection, and willingness to take initiative and run with new ideas
• Demonstrate cross-cultural competence, empathy, and anti-bias/anti-racism pedagogies
• Show passion for working with students
• Desire to continue to learn and develop as an educator

Essential Duties:

• Plan and lead engaging activities, including creative arts, games, homework assistance, and outdoor play.
• Develop and implement a daily schedule that includes a balance of structured and unstructured activities.
• Ensure all activities are age-appropriate and align with the school's values and educational goals.
• Supervise students at all times to ensure a safe and positive environment.
• Enforce rules and policies to maintain order and discipline.
• Provide first aid and handle emergencies as needed.
• Maintain open and effective communication with students, parents, and school staff.
• Provide regular feedback to parents about their child's progress and behavior.
• Collaborate with Wildcat Group Leaders and After-School Program Coordinator to continually improve the program.

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage a group of children effectively and with compassion.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity in planning and implementing activities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• CPR and First Aid certification required (can be obtained upon hiring).
• Background check and fingerprinting required.
• This position is ideal for college students and/or individuals seeking a pathway toward teaching. Experience in
• working with children and a career path in an education related field is strongly preferred.

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Friday: 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Successful candidates must demonstrate punctuality, maintain regular attendance, and exhibit reliability in their presence during scheduled shifts)

Start Date: September 4, 2026

Interested applicants should send a brief letter of interest and resume to Daisy Santos at dsantos@westerlyschool.org.

Westerly School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit.

School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, a medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $21.00-$23.00 per hour