Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for After School Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

The After School Instructor is responsible for creating, implementing, and supervising high-quality, developmentally appropriate after-school programming that supports academic growth, social-emotional learning (SEL), and recreational enrichment for children in elementary and middle school. This role emphasizes safety, positive behavior supports, individualized attention, and strong communication with parents, caregivers, and school partners. The ideal candidate blends lesson planning, activity facilitation (STEM, arts, sports), and homework help with consistent classroom management, accurate record-keeping, and a commitment to youth development and inclusion.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Classroom paraprofessional / teacher’s aide
Camp counselor or youth program leader
Early childhood educator or childcare assistant

Advancement To:

Lead After School Program Coordinator / Site Director
Youth Development Specialist or Program Manager
Expanded Learning Administrator (district or nonprofit level)

Lateral Moves:

Elementary school teacher (with certification)
Community center recreation coordinator
Summer camp director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans and enrichment activities (STEM projects, arts & crafts, literacy circles, physical education and games) aligned with program goals and learning objectives for K–8 students.
Provide targeted homework support and academic tutoring, monitoring student progress, adapting strategies to individual learning needs, and coordinating with classroom teachers to reinforce school-day instruction.
Supervise students at all times during program hours, maintaining legally required staff-to-student ratios and ensuring safe transitions between indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, and dismissal.
Establish and maintain consistent classroom management and positive behavior supports, using restorative practices, incentives, and clear expectations to promote a respectful, inclusive environment.
Conduct daily attendance tracking, maintain accurate participant records, and complete incident, behavior, and health reports in accordance with program and licensing requirements.
Communicate proactively with parents and guardians via in-person conversations, phone calls, and digital platforms to share progress updates, address concerns, and coordinate pick-up and emergency procedures.
Facilitate social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons and group activities that build teamwork, conflict resolution, self-regulation, and leadership skills among participants.
Plan and lead enrichment clubs and rotating interest activities (e.g., robotics, gardening, drama, music, coding) that engage diverse learners and promote new skills.
Prepare and maintain a structured daily schedule that balances academic support, enrichment, physical activity, snack time, and rest, adapting plans to attendance and weather conditions.
Ensure program safety and child protection by adhering to emergency action plans, conducting safety checks of facilities and equipment, and reporting any health or safety concerns immediately.
Implement individualized accommodations and behavioral intervention plans for students with IEPs or 504 plans, collaborating with special education staff and families as needed.
Coordinate with school administrators and teaching staff to align after-school programming with school priorities, calendars, and student needs.
Lead group supervision during extracurricular outings and community-based learning experiences, ensuring chaperone coordination, permission slips, and risk assessments are completed.
Prepare materials, supplies, and program spaces before and after sessions, managing inventories and requesting replenishments to ensure seamless daily operations.
Provide mentorship and positive role modeling through consistent, caring interactions that build trust, motivation, and positive peer relationships among participants.
Deliver culturally responsive programming by adapting lessons to reflect the diverse backgrounds of students and by using inclusive materials and language.
Monitor and support student health needs, including administering medication per policy, adhering to dietary restrictions during snacks, and responding to minor injuries within scope of training.
Assist in recruiting, training, and onboarding seasonal or part-time assistants and volunteers, modeling program expectations and supervising their work during activities.
Collect and document qualitative and quantitative program outcomes, contributing to program evaluation metrics and continuous improvement efforts.
Participate in ongoing professional development, staff meetings, and coaching sessions to refine instructional strategies, behavior supports, and safety protocols.
Enforce transportation and dismissal procedures, ensuring students leave only with authorized adults and documenting any irregularities according to program policy.
Manage conflict situations between students calmly and effectively, applying de-escalation techniques and following up with restorative conversations and parent communication as needed.
Support special events and family engagement nights by assisting with logistics, volunteer coordination, and on-site program delivery to strengthen community relationships.
Maintain confidentiality of student records and sensitive family information, complying with FERPA and organizational privacy policies.

Secondary Functions

Help implement program-wide initiatives such as literacy campaigns, summer transition programs, or community partnerships that expand enrichment opportunities.
Support data collection for grant reporting and quality improvement by entering attendance, behavior, and outcome data into designated systems.
Contribute ideas and content for program marketing materials, family newsletters, and social media highlighting student achievements and upcoming activities.
Assist with light facility maintenance and cleanliness, ensuring program spaces meet health and safety standards before and after sessions.
Participate in recruitment events and community outreach to increase program enrollment and strengthen partnerships with local schools and nonprofits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Lesson planning and curriculum development for after-school and enrichment programs (K–8)
Academic tutoring techniques, including differentiated instruction and homework assistance
Classroom management strategies and positive behavior intervention systems (PBIS)
Child supervision best practices and knowledge of staff-to-child ratio requirements
Basic first aid, CPR, and emergency response procedures for children (certification often required)
Knowledge of age-appropriate SEL (social-emotional learning) programming and restorative practices
Experience using attendance and reporting systems, data entry for program metrics, and completing incident reports
Familiarity with IEP/504 accommodations and ability to implement individualized supports in group settings
Activity facilitation across domains: STEM, arts, sports, drama, and outdoor education
Ability to perform risk assessments and manage logistics for field trips and community outings
Understanding of child protection policies and mandatory reporting obligations
Proficiency with common communication tools (email, classroom apps like Remind, Brightwheel, or Google Workspace)

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with students, parents, and school staff
Empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity in working with diverse families and learners
Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills for managing behavioral incidents constructively
Time management and organizational ability to coordinate activities, materials, and transitions
Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing attendance, weather, or program needs
Teamwork and collaboration to work effectively with co-instructors, administrators, and volunteers
Initiative and creativity for developing engaging, differentiated enrichment activities
Professionalism, punctuality, and reliability during program hours and events
Observant and detail-oriented approach to student safety, record-keeping, and compliance
Coaching and mentorship capacity to support assistants and foster student leadership

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Recreation, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education
Child Development or Early Childhood Education
Youth & Community Development
Recreation Management
Psychology / Social Work

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years entry-level; 2–5+ years preferred for lead or coordinator roles.

Preferred:

Prior experience working in after-school programs, summer camps, youth mentorship, tutoring, or classroom settings.
Demonstrated experience in behavior management, lesson planning, and family communication.
Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) and ability to pass background checks (child abuse registry, criminal history, fingerprinting where required).
Experience with program documentation, attendance systems, and outcomes reporting considered a plus.