Adult Program Instructor

$17.00 - $20.00 / hour

Position Summary:  The Adult Program Instructor plays a vital role in supporting parents and community members as they pursue personal, educational, and vocational goals. Whether teaching English, GED prep, literacy, dance, yoga, fitness, or creative skills like curtain and jewelry making, instructors foster a welcoming and empowering environment that encourages adults to learn, grow, and feel at home in their child’s school. This position is more than instruction, it’s about connection. Instructors help build bridges between the school and the community, offering adults the tools to thrive academically, creatively, and personally. Your work will uplift families, strengthen school culture, and make a lasting impact.

Children’s Aid Mission:

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.
We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.
We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Build strong relationships with parents and community members, encouraging trust and participation.
• Create a classroom climate that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and conducive to adult learning.
• Design and deliver relevant, practical instruction using group and individualized methods.
• Teach adult basic education (e.g., reading, writing, math, English) and/or vocational and enrichment skills (e.g., crafts, fitness, dance, yoga).
• Support adult learners of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and languages, helping them overcome barriers to success.
• Maintain effective classroom management that enhances learning and engagement.
• Encourage adults to feel comfortable and welcomed in the school environment.
• Collect attendance and program data as needed.
• Participate in team meetings, in-service sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience teaching or training adults in academic, vocational, or enrichment areas (e.g., GED, ESL, yoga, dance, sewing).
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Understanding of adult learning principles and multi-level instruction.


• Ability to create a supportive, learner-centered environment for adults of diverse backgrounds.


• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.


• Willingness to attend trainings and collaborate with school and community staff.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team.  This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes.  The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.