Hand Dancing Youth & Senior Citizen Educator

EYL 365 Project is currently accepting applications for Hand Dancing Educators for the 2026 school year. We are seeking passionate and experienced Hand Dancing Youth & Senior Citizen Educators with a strong interest in Social Justice and Racial Equity Arts Education. This position is for in school and/or after school residency at our DCPS Ward 7 & 8 partner schools, as well as Senior Citizen workshops . Educators must have demonstrated previous experience teaching Hand Dancing techniques ideally in Washington, DC Public School settings and creative centers. Additional experience with entrepreneurship, marketing and branding is also a plus!

Position Overview:

Hand Dancing Instructor (Senior Program)

Enjoy Your Life 365 is seeking a skilled and engaging Hand Dancing Instructor to lead weekly sessions beginning in May for senior participants in early May.

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Ward 7 area

The instructor will lead a fun, interactive hand dancing session designed specifically for seniors. The goal is to promote movement, connection, joy, and confidence through partner based dance in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

Teach basic to intermediate hand dancing steps

Create a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere for seniors of all levels

Encourage participation, rhythm, and partner engagement

Adapt instruction to meet varying mobility levels

Preferred Qualifications

Experience teaching hand dancing or partner dance

Experience working with seniors or community based programs

Strong communication and patience

Energetic and engaging teaching style

Create a fun and engaging environment, encouraging creativity and participation from all attendees, regardless of their skill level.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• The power to teach young ones that knowledge and creativity are true magic
• The sincere drive to be a positive role model and promote good sportsmanship
• Workshops are 1-2.5hrs in length, potentially longer if there's a Field Trip.
• Ability to promote a feeling of security and trust in children by being warm, supportive, and comforting.
• Are enthusiastic and passionate about working with young children and adults.
• Ability to commute to contracted locations.
• Curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Able to effectively collaborate with other teaching staff (when necessary)
• Ability to work well in an inner-city environment.
• Applicants will undergo a thorough background check and fingerprint
• Mediate any conflicts that may arise between students.
• Availability to work after-school hours
• At least 2-3 years of teaching experience (leading hands-on activities in a classroom, after school program, day camp, senior centers etc.)
• Familiarity with project-based learning (preferred, though not required)
• Familiarity with foundational engineering concepts (preferred, though not required)
• The ability to manage multiple student projects and personalities
• To Be Considered, Please Submit: Resume and samples of recent caricature work

Qualifications

• Expertise in an arts discipline exhibited through an educational degree and/or professional accomplishment (published writing, exhibited artwork, performance experience etc.).
• Minimum two years full-time (or the equivalent, e.g. 4 years part time) teaching an arts discipline in a school and/or community-based setting. Teaching experience in DC public schools preferred.
• Bachelor's degree and/or Masters degree in arts discipline or related area.
• Department of Education fingerprinting (DCPS) will be required

Responsibilities

Instruction:

• Providing instruction in the arts (development of skills in arts disciplines consistent with EYL 365 Project Blueprint) and through the arts (the achievement of academic goals as outlined in a school’s curriculum) by:
• Teaching and planning for 2 in-schools per week and/or possibly as many as 4 after schools per week;
• Developing long term project-based unit designs in collaboration with classroom teachers;
• Assessing student learning based on learning goals and objectives;
• Organizing at least 2 sharings of student work with teaching partners and TA colleagues at the school.
• Working in close collaboration with classroom teacher partners to:
• Plan lessons and projects during one in person 45-minute planning session per week (and via email and phone as well, when necessary);
• Share skills with the teacher to build capacity for arts instruction at the school;
• Co-teach lessons in which both TA and teacher partner have clear roles and responsibilities for generating student learning;
• Coordinate at least one trip to a DC cultural institution and/or one guest artist per class with a connection to learning in the classroom.

EYL 365 Project Youth Educators are highly skilled artists and educators, committed to creating equitable learning spaces through collaborative teaching practices and social justice pedagogy. They report directly to the Program Director and are supported by EYL 365 Project Department Heads and Program Coordinators. They work closely with classroom teachers, school administrators, and teaching artists to positively impact school communities.

• A note: After schools are typically not co-taught with classroom teachers but are designed in collaboration with the school administration.

Pay: $40.00 - $60.00 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person