Title: Summer Explorers Lead Educator (Grades K-2)
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Type: Full-Time (40 hrs.) during the contracted period, On-Site
Salary: $25 per hour/$1,000 weekly (Lead Educators)
Saturday Academy seeks a broad spectrum of employees reflecting our community and those we serve. Saturday Academy is strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, political affiliation, or religion. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals. Saturday Academy is an equal-opportunity employer.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1983, Saturday Academy (SA) is a nonprofit educational organization that provides thousands of youth with hands-on learning; guided by experts in a way that enriches young lives and develops a life-long curiosity and passion for learning. Saturday Academy offers classes, summer camps, and afterschool programs throughout the Portland Metropolitan area (grades K-12), as well as a state-wide high school internship program placing students in some of Oregon’s most well-known businesses. We inspire children to pursue their curiosity, with programming centered in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Saturday Academy strives to make our programs accessible to all and as an organization values Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Quality Programming/Student Experience, A Growth Mindset, Our Staff, and STEAM.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Saturday Academy is looking for individuals who have early-childhood educational engagement experience, a passion for guiding STEAM-themed activities, and a commitment to reducing barriers to access in STEAM education opportunities for youth. Saturday Academy offers full-day, full-week summer programs from 9am-4pm. Explorers Educators are responsible for leadership, curriculum implementation, and classroom management of our K-2 grade programs, which do not exceed 10 students.
Camps are collaboratively taught by two educators and a support specialist, with guidance and structure provided by SA staff. As an Explorers Educator, you will support student-centered, hands-on activities that engage campers and spark their curiosity as they explore the interactions of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
We are seeking educators with experience or interest in a range of STEAM disciplines, including but not limited to creative arts, theatre and drama, visual arts, introductory science investigations, engineering design challenges, coding, makerspace exploration, and hands-on building (including LEGO and similar tools).
DATES (Summer 2026):
All Summer Camps will take place in-community. Current June/July camps will be hosted at Central Catholic High School. August location pending, but will be in Portland Metro area.
June 22-June 26, 2026- Lego Explorers and Ocean Explorers
June 29-July 2, 2026- Time Travel Explorers (4-day program)
July 6-10, 2026- Creature Explorers
July 13-17, 2026- Mystery Lab Explorers
July 20-24, 2026- Story Explorers
July 27-July 31, 2026- Magical Kingdoms
August 3-7, 2026- Themes Upcoming
August 10-14, 2026- Themes Upcoming
August 17-21, 2026- Themes Upcoming
We celebrate arts-integrated and STEM-driven approaches to learning, drawing strong connections for each individual to tune into the world around them and how it works. We focus on cultivating key life skills in students, such as collaboration, empathy, communication, and creative problem-solving.
Close coordination and communication with Saturday Academy staff is essential to ensure your camp technology and supply needs are met.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Preparing necessary resources for the program
- Attend co-curated curriculum developing sessions
- Writing designated lesson plans
- Facilitating age-appropriate, hands-on activities aligned with weekly themes
- Navigating and adjusting provided Saturday Academy curricular structures to fit the unique needs of each group
- Demonstrating flexibility in guiding activities, projects, and exercises
- Adapting programming as needed
- Supporting classroom management strategies that balance individual and group needs
- Completing administrative teaching responsibilities as assigned
- Communicating with Site Leads regarding program needs or concerns
- Providing for the well-being and safety of campers in compliance with state and organizational policies
DESIRED SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE:
- Passionate commitment to the transformative power of hands-on learning
- Commitment to youth social-emotional development
- Experience working with diverse populations
- At least two years of experience working with early learning populations– Grades K-2
- Curriculum and lesson planning experience, with an emphasis on hands-on applied learning
- Positively supports inclusion in all forms
- Strives for excellence, is self-motivated, and able to problem solve
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Thinks strategically, acts resourcefully, and makes decisions with conviction
- Exhibits strong work ethic and personal integrity
- Shows strong interpersonal skills and ability to build lasting relationships
- Works well independently and as part of a cohesive team
- Up to date on all federally recommended vaccinations
- Reliable transportation to off-site locations
TO APPLY:
- Please complete this summer availability form to help us get a sense of your expertise, preferences, and availability.
- Submit a cover letter reflecting how you meet the required/preferred qualifications and your resume.
- Please submit as one document using the title: YOUR NAME – K-2 SUMMER EDUCATOR to YOUTHPROGRAMS@SaturdayAcademy.org
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will reach out with next steps and/or to schedule an interview, if necessary.
- The deadline for applications is Mar 10, 2026
- We will reach out to you with the next steps and/or to schedule an interview, if necessary.
For further information visit our website at: www.saturdayacademy.org.