Astronomy Instructor

Summary of Position : After School Matters is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Astronomy Instructor to teach and inspire teenagers in the wonders of the universe. The ideal candidate will have a passion for both astronomy and education, with the ability to engage and motivate students aged 14-18. This position involves designing and delivering astronomy lessons, hands-on activities, and potentially field trips, aimed at helping students gain a deeper understanding of space and the science behind celestial phenomena. The instructor will also create a fun and interactive learning environment that encourages curiosity and exploration.

This is a part-time position scheduled for approximately 7.5 hours per week for 10 weeks.  The start date for this position will be January 13, 2026, and the end date will be May 16, 2026.

Major Duties and Responsibilities :

• Create and deliver hands-on experiments, demonstrations, and interactive lessons that help students understand key astronomical concepts (e.g., the solar system, stars, galaxies, and space exploration).
• Administrative: Conduct teen interviews and select teens by the roster deadline, complete data entry including interview outcomes, daily attendance, teen checklist support, program reports, teen survey administration
• Maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Lead the teens through the planning and implementation of an end of session demonstration of learning (showcase)
• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, teens: instructor ratio

Instructors must have a program curriculum plan. See ASM Program Planner .

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Demonstrated practical knowledge of content area
• Classroom management experience, preferred
• Ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders including teens, participants, parents, ASM program staff, vendors, etc
• Intermediate computer skills, working in Google Suite
• Cultural competence

Required Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant content area etc. is preferred, high school diploma or GED required
• Experience working in a field relevant to the content area is highly preferred
• Experience teaching, specifically teens, if highly preferred
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required

Program schedule:

• Programs meet for approximately 7.5 hours per week, typically 3 days a week for 2.5 hours.
• Spring programs will run from February 26, 2026, to May 9, 2026. The programs last for 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday and include 60-90 instructional hours (based on the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings.

Compensation : $20-27 salary/per hour, depending on applicable experience and education

About Us : After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. ASM has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. ASM offers paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters’ annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

EEO : After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.