Running & Wellness Instructor

Chicago, IL
Part Time
Instructors
Mid Level

Summary of Position: 

After School Matters is seeking a committed part-time instructor to teach Running & Wellness program for 15-18 high school participants (15:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20 for 2025-2026. 

The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to Running & Wellness (yoga, pilates, meditation, strength training, etc.). The instructor will lead teens in developing their running skills while promoting overall wellness. This role will involve guiding teens through running exercises, fitness routines, and discussions around healthy habits and mental wellness. The ideal candidate will be passionate about fitness, running, and making a positive impact on young people’s lives. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation. 
This is a part-time position that will begin in the Spring 2025 session and extend into the Summer session.

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Expose a diverse group of teen participants to various facets of long distance running and wellness while fostering a positive, safe, and collaborative atmosphere for all teen participants. Organize and lead running workouts that cater to varying fitness levels, including warm-ups, interval training, long-distance runs, and cool-downs. 

  • Teach wellness topics such as  yoga, pilaties, meditation, mental health, self-care, etc. helping teens understand how these concepts relate to fitness and overall well-being. 

  • Maintain knowledge of running and wellness industry trends, technology and concepts. 

  • Prepare, organize, and supervise interactive, teen-led activities on running and wellness. 

  • Develop, plan, and implement high-quality related field trips, master classes, events, and guest visits to enhance instruction and training. 

  • 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). 

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

     

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Foster a supportive and motivating atmosphere, ensuring teens feel empowered to challenge themselves while having fun and maintaining a focus on self-improvement. Creative problem-solving skills. 

  • Encourage community among participants, promoting the benefits of working together in group runs. 

  • Monitor participants for any signs of injury or fatigue, ensuring all activities are conducted safely. Educate participants on proper form and injury prevention techniques. 

  • Customer service skills; ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders (teen participants, parents, ASM programs staff, vendors, etc.) 

  • Cultural competence
     

Required Qualifications: 

  • Previous experience in coaching running, fitness, or wellness programs for teen preferred. 

  • Excellent ability to connect with and motivate teens, with strong communication skills to lead group sessions and one-on-one conversations. 

  • Understanding of wellness, yoga, pilates, mental health, stress management, and injury prevention as they relate to fitness. 

  • Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required. 
     

Schedule: The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows: 

  • Summer: 6 to 7 weeks, Monday through Friday daily, 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. 

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. 

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