Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for After School Teacher

🎯 Role Definition

An After School Teacher delivers safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate after-school programming for K–8 students. This role combines structured homework support, enrichment activities (STEM, arts, literacy), behavior management, and close communication with families and school staff to support academic growth and social-emotional development. The ideal candidate is a certified or experienced youth educator who can design lesson plans, manage transitions, supervise children, and contribute to program evaluation and continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

After School Assistant / Program Aide
Youth Counselor / Camp Counselor
Paraeducator or Teacher’s Aide

Advancement To:

Lead After School Teacher / Lead Instructor
After School Site Coordinator / Program Coordinator
School-Age Program Director / After School Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

Youth Development Specialist
Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
Educational Support Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, prepare, and implement daily lesson plans and age-appropriate enrichment activities that align with program goals and support student learning outcomes in literacy, math, STEM, arts, and social-emotional development.
Provide structured homework assistance and academic tutoring to individual students and small groups, adapting instructional strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs and accelerating academic progress.
Create and maintain a positive, inclusive classroom environment using evidence-based classroom management techniques, clear routines, and consistent expectations to promote student engagement and safety.
Supervise student transitions and free-play periods, ensuring continuous visual monitoring, enforcing safety procedures, and preventing and responding appropriately to behavioral incidents.
Develop individualized supports and behavior plans in collaboration with schoolteachers, special education staff, and families for students with IEPs, 504 plans, or other accommodations, ensuring continuity between school-day and after-school services.
Communicate proactively with parents and guardians through daily reports, progress notes, phone calls, and regular family conferences to share student progress, behavior updates, and program schedules.
Assess student progress through formative observations, anecdotal records, and standardized program metrics, documenting outcomes and contributing to quarterly progress reports and program evaluation.
Collaborate with classroom teachers, school administrators, and site leadership to align after-school activities with classroom objectives, reinforce classroom learning, and ensure program continuity.
Lead group and individual enrichment clubs (e.g., robotics, art, drama, coding, sports) that advance student interests and build foundational skills in teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking.
Manage attendance, sign-in/sign-out procedures, and accurate daily rosters while enforcing authorized pick-up protocols and documenting any custody or safety concerns.
Maintain organized student records, behavior logs, incident reports, and confidential documentation in accordance with program policies, FERPA, and organizational record-keeping requirements.
Conduct regular safety checks of activity spaces, equipment, and supplies; report and remediate hazards; and ensure compliance with facility rules, licensing requirements, and liability policies.
Facilitate social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons that teach conflict resolution, emotional regulation, empathy, and peer communication techniques to enhance classroom climate and student well-being.
Coordinate and lead field trips, enrichment outings, and guest-speaker activities including planning logistics, obtaining permissions, supervising students, and preparing pre- and post-trip reflections.
Mentor and supervise volunteers, interns, and junior staff by providing orientation, setting expectations, modeling instructional practices, and offering ongoing feedback and coaching.
Prepare and manage program materials and classroom supplies; create visual aids, activity plans, and assessments while maintaining inventory and submitting supply requests in a timely manner.
Use classroom technologies and digital platforms (attendance systems, learning management tools, educational apps) to support instruction, track student work, and communicate with families and school partners.
Participate in staff meetings, professional development workshops, curriculum planning sessions, and program-wide trainings to implement best practices and stay current in youth development research.
Enforce and model positive behavior supports and restorative practices to de-escalate conflicts, document incidents, and implement follow-up interventions that restore relationships and promote accountability.
Support program enrollment processes, recruitment initiatives, and community outreach to increase participation, retain families, and strengthen partnerships with local schools and organizations.
Prepare end-of-year program summaries, student portfolios, and data-driven impact reports that inform continuous improvement, grant proposals, and stakeholder communications.
Respond to medical incidents and emergencies—administer basic first aid, follow emergency protocols, and complete required incident reports while maintaining calm and clear communication with families and administrators.

Secondary Functions

Assist with administrative tasks including data entry for attendance, incident logs, supply requisitions, and regulatory compliance reporting.
Contribute to curriculum development and program evaluation efforts by piloting new enrichment modules, collecting feedback, and recommending iterative improvements.
Collaborate with site leadership on budgeting priorities, resource allocation, and scheduling to maximize program effectiveness and student outcomes.
Build partnerships with community organizations and local vendors to bring additional enrichment opportunities, volunteers, and in-kind resources to the after-school program.
Support marketing and family-engagement initiatives by preparing program flyers, participating in enrollment events, and facilitating family nights or student showcases.
Train and orient substitute staff to ensure consistent implementation of routines, behavior expectations, and lesson plans when primary staff are absent.
Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries while participating in interdepartmental initiatives and cross-functional meetings related to student welfare and program growth.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Lesson planning and curriculum design tailored to elementary and middle school age groups.
Classroom management strategies and positive behavior intervention systems (PBIS, restorative practices).
Academic tutoring techniques for homework help in reading, writing, and math.
Knowledge of child development principles and age-appropriate pedagogical approaches.
Experience implementing Individualized Education Program (IEP) accommodations and 504 plan supports.
First Aid, CPR, and basic emergency response certification (preferred or required depending on employer).
Proficiency with educational technology and program management tools (Google Workspace, ClassDojo, attendance software).
Assessment and progress monitoring skills, including anecdotal notes, rubrics, and formative assessments.
Activity and lesson materials preparation, supply inventory management, and basic budget awareness.
Compliance with licensing, reporting, and documentation standards for after-school and out-of-school-time programs.

Soft Skills

Clear, professional communication with students, families, colleagues, and school administrators.
Patience, empathy, and strong relational skills for working with diverse learners and families.
Adaptability and flexibility to manage shifting schedules, student needs, and unpredictable situations.
Strong organizational skills and time management for balancing instruction, supervision, and documentation.
Creative problem-solving and ability to design engaging, hands-on enrichment activities.
Leadership and mentorship skills to coach volunteers and junior staff.
Cultural competency and commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-bias practices.
Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills for classroom and playground incidents.
Team collaboration and willingness to participate in interdisciplinary planning.
Observational acuity to identify student needs and escalate concerns to school-based supports.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Demonstrated experience working with school-age children often accepted in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, Social Work, or a related field.
Teaching credential, paraprofessional certification, or coursework in youth development preferred for advanced placements.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Youth Development / Human Services
Social Work
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Educational Psychology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–3 years of experience working directly with school-age children in after-school programs, classrooms, camps, or youth organizations.

Preferred:

2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in after-school programming, classroom instruction, or tutoring with demonstrated success in behavior management and academic support.
Prior experience coordinating enrichment clubs, supervising volunteers, and working with students who have IEPs or diverse learning needs.