Description
The Auxiliary Program Team Member plays a critical role in providing dynamic, engaging, and enriching experiences for students outside of the traditional school day. Bennett Day School is seeking energetic, flexible, and student-centered individuals who are deeply invested in a collaborative work environment. Auxiliary team members bring enthusiasm and creativity to their daily work, ensuring that participants have a fun, age-appropriate, and joyful experience in a safe and nurturing environment.
This position is ideal for individuals passionate about youth development who prioritize student well-being and are excited to learn and implement positive classroom management techniques.
Key Specialized RolesCandidates will be considered for one of the following specialized pathways based on their expertise and interest:
- STEM Expert: Leads and teaches hands-on, inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and math programming across multiple grade levels (PreK–4th) to spark curiosity and problem-solving.
- Art Expert: Coordinates and supports creative expression, visual arts, design, and multi-grade creative projects (PreK–4th), encouraging self-expression and managing art materials.
- AfterCare Lead (PreK / JK): Manages daily care, structured play, and safe routines tailored specifically for our youngest early childhood learners.
- AfterCare Lead (SK / 1st Grade): Manages classroom behavior, oversees transition routines, organizes active group games, and recreational activities for kindergarten and first-grade students.
- AfterCare Lead (2nd – 4th Grade): Manages classroom behavior, oversees transition routines, guides older elementary students in balancing independent choice time, collaborative activities, and positive peer engagement.
- Supervision & Engagement: Supervise, engage with, and motivate a diverse group of students spanning PreK through 4th grade throughout the afternoon.
- Program Implementation: Lead age-appropriate games, enrichment projects, and activities aligned with your specific path (STEM, Art, or age-group AfterCare).
- Classroom Management: Establish routines, enforce safety procedures, and provide positive guidance for a respectful environment using school-approved classroom management techniques.
- Daily Transitions: Organize and conduct timely and smooth student arrival, transition, and dismissal/check-out procedures.
- Communication & Community: Cultivate welcoming, first-class relationships with families, students, and staff through positive, professional daily interactions.
- Team Participation: Participate actively in staff training sessions and team planning meetings. Communicate daily regarding relevant information about students, staff, and early dismissal procedures.
- Ad Hoc Support: Maintain safe, organized, and clean programming spaces; other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Education: Associate or Bachelor's degree or working towards a degree is preferred.
- Experience: Prior experience working with children in group settings (such as camp, after-school programs, childcare, or education).
- Student Focus & Energy: High energy, patience, enthusiasm, and a natural ability to prioritize the needs and safety of students.
- Adaptability: Exceptional flexibility and a positive attitude when navigating changes across different grade levels and environments.
- Growth Mindset: Willingness to receive feedback and actively learn new classroom management and student engagement techniques from teachers, directors, and other Bennett faculty.
- Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate in a team atmosphere.
- Cultural Competence: Commitment to the continual development of one’s cultural competence.
- Physical Requirements: Physical strength to independently lift light equipment or materials (15–20 lbs) and move around active environments.
- Primary Schedule: Monday through Friday, typically 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM during the school year.
- Additional Opportunities: Regular opportunities for extended shifts from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM may be available for scheduled special events, family nights, or late-night programming.
Skills Required
- Prior experience working with children in group settings (camp, after-school, childcare, or education)
- High energy, patience, enthusiasm, and ability to prioritize student safety
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to collaborate on a team
- Ability to establish routines, enforce safety procedures, and implement positive classroom management techniques
- Commitment to developing cultural competence
- Physical ability to lift 15-20 lbs and move around active environments
- Availability Monday through Friday, typically 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM, with occasional evening shifts until 10:00 PM
- Associate or Bachelor's degree or currently working toward a degree
- Specialized pathway expertise or interest (STEM, Art, or specific age-group AfterCare)
- Willingness to receive feedback and participate in staff training and team planning
What We Do
Bennett Day School is an independent, progressive PreK–12 private school located in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. Founded in 2014 to create a future-focused educational program and a unique school community, it prepares students for a world reshaped by AI and constant change. The school emphasizes cultivating human advantages such as curiosity and critical thinking to ensure students are equipped for the future.
