Intro to Sewing: Fashion & Design Job at After School Matters in Chicago

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 years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 350,000 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 of 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 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.

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:

After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to teach its Intro to Sewing: Fashion & Design program during the Spring session for 15-18 high school participants between the ages of 14 to 20.

Intro to Sewing: Fashion & Design is an apprenticeship where students learn the fundamentals of sewing and fashion design, empowering them to create their own garments, accessories, and explore their creative potential. An instructor will expose teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable programmatic outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation.

We are particularly seeking instructors for our Downtown location.

The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows:

• Summer: 6 to 7 weeks, daily Monday through Thursday/Friday (based upon the program model), four instructional hours per day. Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
• Fall: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met
• Spring: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met
• Daytime during School Year (Fall & Spring): 9am-2pm. Exact program days are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
• Limited opportunities for Saturday only programs are available.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Expose a diverse group of teen participants to various facets of the fashion industry while fostering a positive, safe, and collaborative atmosphere for all teen participants.
• Maintain knowledge of current sewing and fashion trends, technology, and concept.
• Prepare, organize, and supervise the weekly lessons on sewing fundamentals, basic sewing techniques, including hand sewing, machine sewing, pattern making, and garment construction.
• Develop, plan, and implement high-quality related field trips, master classes, events, and guest visits to enhance instruction and training.
• Provide supervision during program field trips and other youth engagement opportunities.
• 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).
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratio.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated practical knowledge in using various sewing machines, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to explain sewing concepts and techniques in a clear, engaging manner.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire young learners.
• Creative, adaptable, and able to guide students through both structured lessons and open-ended projects.
• Creative problem-solving skills. 
• Customer service skills: ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders (teen participants, parents, ASM programs staff, vendors, etc.)
• Cultural competence

Qualifications:

• Experience in fashion design, apparel construction, textile arts, or a related field.is preferred.
• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to stand for 4+ hours at a time.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

How to Apply:
Apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and application here: https://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply

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.

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