Summary of Position: After School Matters is seeking temporary, part-time instructors to teach its Peoples Gas Dig Into Energy program during the Summer Session 2026. The Peoples Gas program is an energy management and civic engagement program that will empower high school teens to become experts and advocates of efficient energy use in their communities.
Primary Focus: Teens will learn the role that engineering plays in transporting natural gas to
businesses and residences. The program will teach teens all aspects of natural gas, including how
it is created, its geology, and how gas is turned into fossil fuel. Teens will also meet scientists, engineers, and industry leaders that work in the utility field throughout Chicago. The optimal candidate will have a passion and skill for science, technology, engineering, math and youth development.
Location:
This position has openings at the following locations:
- After School Matters at Orleans (Cabrini)
- Michael and Karyn Lutz Center (Belmont Cragin)
- After School Matters at Gately Park (Pullman)
Responsibilities:
- Facilitate instruction using a pre-designed energy management curriculum, developed in alignment with After School Matters program guidelines
- Deliver inquiry-based instruction that engages teens in discovery through participation in demonstrations, hands-on activities, research, and oral presentations
- Intentionally support critical youth development skills, including leadership development, community building, real-world and experiential learning, public speaking, youth voice and agency
- Collaborate with teens to build multiple STEM projects throughout the session, including a high visibility culminating showcase presentation
- Foster a rigorous, cooperative, and engaging learning environment for all, taking in account varied learning strategies and best practices that address diverse abilities and backgrounds
- Report all problems or concerns and program updates to After School Matters Program Specialist to maintain consistent lines of communication throughout the program session
- Attend all planning and program dates, including: instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions
- Participate in the recruitment, interview, and selection process of teen program participants
- Manage and track program activities such as attendance, interview outcomes, enrollment, evaluation surveys, and pertinent student records in an online data tracking system (CitySpan)
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Lead a program of approximately 25 teen participants and 1 teen program assistant
- Supervise teens during program field trips and other youth engagement opportunities
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Content area knowledge in energy, physics, engineering, math, or a related STEM field
- Demonstrated understanding of the relationship between STEM concepts and real world experiences
- Broad knowledge of relevant STEM terms and definitions
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Must be organized and possess a strong attention to detail
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM or education major is required
- Experience working in a field related to the content area highly preferred
- Experience teaching, specifically teens, if highly preferred
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required
Schedule:
- This is a temporary, part-time position scheduled for approximately 25 hours/week for 6 weeks
- Summer Session runs from late June to early August, Monday-Friday, approximately 5 hours/day
- Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, and training beginning as early as April 2026
Compensation: $25 - $35 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.
Thirty-five years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 450,000 Chicago teens and is the nation's largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.
We offer 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 four ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and Orleans, 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 $48M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.
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.
