PAYMENT iNFORMATION:

The payment rate for Assistant Teachers is $20/hour. This section includes information on how to set up your direct deposit account, track your hours, and enter them into the time report.

CREATE YOUR GUSTO ACCOUNT:

• We send payments as direct deposit through Gusto. Gusto is also how you will access your 1099. 

• If you are a new teacher, you will receive an email from Gusto before your start date. Upon receipt, follow the following steps:

• Set up a username and password

• Enter your government name as found on your ID and/or passport

• Enter your Social Security Number 

• Enter your Routing & Account Number

TRACKING YOUR HOURS:

• Your welcome email will include a link to your hourly tracker. Use the form to track how many hours you work each day, including the additional hours for prep and meetings

• View the EXAMPLE HOURLY TRACKER for further instructions on how to complete the form

SUBMITTING YOUR HOURS:

• After entering your hours on your tracker, enter the total into the TIME REPORT FORM.

• The form is due Monday at 10:00am CST, and payroll will be deposited on Friday of the same week. If there is a holiday that week, you will receive payment on the following Monday.

• If we receive your payroll submission after the deadline, your payment will be included in the following week’s payroll.

ASSISTANT TEACHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching Assistants work closely with Lead Teachers to help facilitate workshops, manage materials, and provide supervision to ensure a positive and engaging environment for all campers. This role is ideal for someone interested in gaining experience in arts education and youth programming.

Key Responsibilities:

• Classroom Support: Assist lead teaching artists in implementing art lessons, helping students with hands-on projects, and managing classroom activities.

• Student Supervision: Maintain a safe and supportive environment by actively supervising children during classes, breaks, and transitions.

• Material Preparation: Help set up and clean up art supplies, equipment, and classroom spaces before and after activities.

• Small Group Interventions: Work with small groups or individual students that need extra support, offering guidance and positive reinforcement to keep them engaged.

• Collaboration: Communicate effectively with lead teachers and staff to coordinate daily activities and address any classroom needs.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

Please review our daily schedule below. Some days will vary slightly, but generally this is the schedule we follow each day.

8:30 - 9:00: Students Arrive

• Help check students in and make name tags. Students have free time to draw and work on their projects

9:00 - 9:30: Morning Meeting

• Led by Camp Director, introduction to the day’s activities

9:30 - 11:00: Art Workshop

• Students select their activities, assistants support lead teachers

11:00 - 11:30: Lunch

• Assistant Teacher break time

11:30 - 12:15: Play at Markey Playground

• Assistants help supervise students at the playground

12:15 - 12:45: Afternoon Meeting

• Led by Camp Director, summary of the afternoon’s activities

12:45 - 2:15: Art Workshop

• Students select their activities, assistants support lead teachers

2:15 - 2:30: Clean Up

• Help students pack up and organize supplies

2:30 - 3:00: Snack and Play and Clouet Gardens

• Assistants help supervise at the park across the street

3:00 - 3:30: Pick Up

• Assistants help with student dismissal

3:30 - 5:00: Presentation - Friday Only

• Help with student presentation and camp wrap up

LUNCH & SNACKS:

• LUNCH: Plan on bringing or purchasing a lunch on Monday and Tuesday. We provide lunch on Wednesday. Meal is TBD and will be cooked by the students

• Assistant Teachers have a break during the students' lunch period. There are several nearby cafés within walking distance for purchasing lunch if needed.

• SNACKS: We provide Ice Pops for students and staff each day (Otter Pops, 100% juice)

• WATER: Filtered water is available on-site, so please bring a refillable water bottle. We have cups available if needed.

DOGS AT ART CAMP

Our dogs are a big part of the Art Camp 504 community. The Camp Director’s dogs are Ziggy Stardust and Princess Supernova, they are at camp every day. We also have occasional visits from Pop Tart and Remy, also Japanese Chins. Sometimes Freddie will visit, she is the Tigermen Den owner’s dog and has been coming to camp for years. She is the sweetest pit bull and is a trained service dog. Mama visits when Mr. Fin is teaching, she is the grandmother of Art Camp 504 and likes to sit peacefully next to the kids.

The dogs are all very friendly and comfortable at Art Camp 504. They are used to the kids and are managed by their owners while at camp.

ELECTRONICS:

To our goal is to create an electronics-free environment that also supports focused, educational use of devices through direct instruction.

STUDENTS:

• Permitted Use: Electronics are allowed for educational purposes only, such as finding reference photos, filming, animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, and similar activities. Device use is limited to one class period per day and is strictly supervised by teachers during digital media classes.

• Restrictions: Non-educational use—such as watching videos, playing games, or texting friends—is not permitted. If a student uses their device for these purposes, it will be taken and returned at dismissal. Continued misuse will result in a loss of electronics privileges at camp.

• Aftercare: During aftercare, campers may use their devices but are encouraged to participate in games and art activities with others.

STAFF:

• Device Use: Teachers are expected to keep personal phone use to an absolute minimum during the workday. Quick responses to emergency messages are acceptable; however, routine phone use should be avoided.

• Emergencies: If a teacher needs to make an urgent phone call, please inform the director so arrangements can be made for student supervision during the call. We understand things happen!

• Breaks for Assistant Teachers: Assistant teachers may use their phones during their 30-minute lunch break but should do so out of students’ view.

IMPORTANT POLICIES:

STAFF ATTIRE:

Staff attire should be comfortable, durable, and appropriate for active and creative activities with children. Wear clothing that allows you to move easily and participate in hands-on activities (e.g., T-shirts, jeans, closed toed shoes, cargo pants, or shorts of a modest length). Keep attire modest and respectful to maintain a child-friendly atmosphere. As some projects may involve acrylic paint, please wear clothes that can handle occasional paint splashes. We encourage staff to express themselves creatively through their clothing, and costumes are always welcome!

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STAFF:

Prompt communication is an essential part of working with a team. I agree to respond to all text messages and emails that ask for a response within 48 hours. If I am not able to respond within 48 hours, I will respond saying that I received the information and will give a time frame in which I can respond.

PHOTO RELEASE:

Art Camp 504 may photograph or record camp activities for promotional purposes including but not limited to brochures, websites, social media platforms, and advertisements. By participating, teachers grant us permission to use images or recordings of their class and projects for these purposes. Teachers may opt of our the photo release by emailing info@artcamp504.org with your request.

ART SUPPLIES & PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

Art Camp 504 will provide all materials and cover the cost of all supplies needed for class. Teachers may bring in their personal equipment at their own risk, teachers are not required to bring any personal items for use in class. We are not responsible for personal items lost or damaged during class.

TARDINESS POLICY:

It is very important that teachers arrive on time for work each day. On Monday, Assistant Teachers arrive at 8:15. The rest of the week the arrival time is 8:30. Depending on the circumstances and length of time, teachers that are late to camp three or more times may not be considered for future teaching positions.

STAFF CULTURE:

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Support fellow teachers, interns, and staff in and out of the classroom.

• Embrace open communication and share ideas, resources, and successes. Share feedback and suggestions with leadership

• Ask questions when you don’t understand something or aren’t sure what to do

Encourage Creative Freedom

• Value and support students' creative choices, offering guidance while letting them lead the way.

• Foster a safe, non-judgmental space for self-expression.

Flexibility & Adaptability

• Embrace the dynamic nature of working in a fast paced environment with kids, including being open to trying new approaches.

• Adapt plans when necessary to fit the group’s energy, interests, and evolving needs.

Positivity & Enthusiasm

• Model a positive, encouraging attitude to build an uplifting atmosphere.

• Bring energy and enthusiasm to every session, recognizing its impact on students.

Respect & Inclusion

• Treat every student, family, and team member with respect and empathy.

• Cultivate an inclusive culture that honors diversity and encourages everyone to belong.

Professionalism & Preparedness

• Arrive ready and prepared to engage, with lessons planned and materials ready.

• Maintain professional boundaries and show up consistently as a role model.

Safety & Well-being First

• Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of all students at all times.

• Foster an environment of mutual respect and trust where students feel safe to explore.

MANAGING STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

If a student is displaying inappropriate behavior, Assistant Teachers first address their behavior by giving them a warning. If the behavior continues after the warning, assistants will send the student to the Camp Director for further discipline.

What behaviors are not allowed in our community?

• Curse Words and Hateful Language: Anything said to intentionally make another person feel bad. If it makes you feel sad in your heart, don’t say it.

• Bullying: Intentionally making someone feel bad over and over through mean words, threats or violence

• Physical Violence: Hitting, punching, kicking, pinching, throwing objects, yelling, stomping

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

• VERBAL REMINDER

• We will remind you of community norms and you will apologize for your actions.

• SECOND REMINDER, TIME OUT

• We will remind you again of community norms. You will apologize for your actions and sit in Time Out for 10 minutes.

• PARENT PHONE CALL, TIME OUT

• If the behavior continues, you will speak to your parents on the phone. You will apologize and sit in Time Out for 15 minutes.

• REMOVAL FROM CLASS FOR THE DAY

• If the behavior still continues, your parents will take you home early from class. If they are not available, you will sit in Time Out for the rest of the day.

• ONE WEEK SUSPENSION

• If you return to camp the next week and are still acting inappropriately, you will be sent home from class and will not be allowed to attend the following week

• REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM

  • If you return to camp after the suspension and are still acting inappropriately, you will be removed from the program for the remainder of the semester. We do not issue refunds for students with behavior infractions.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

I. Independent Contractor Status. The Contractor, under the code of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is an independent contractor and neither the Contractor’s employees or contract personnel are, or shall be deemed, the Client’s employees. In its capacity as an independent contractor, Contractor agrees and represents: Contractor has the right to perform Services for others during the term of this Agreement.

II. Federal and State Taxes. Under this Agreement, the Client shall not be responsible for:

Withholding FICA, Medicare, Social Security, or any other federal or state withholding taxes from the Contractor’s payments to employees or personnel or make payments on behalf of the Contractor; Making federal or state unemployment compensation contributions on the Contractor’s behalf; and payment of all taxes incurred related to or while performing the Services under this Agreement, including all applicable income taxes and, if the Contractor is not a corporation, all applicable self-employment taxes. 

III. Liability Insurance. The Contractor agrees to bear all responsibility for the actions related to themselves under this Agreement. There shall be no minimum required for the liability insurance. 

IV. Indemnification. The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Client harmless from any loss of liability from performing the Services under this Agreement.

V. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate when teacher is finished teaching classes. In addition, the Client of Contractor may terminate this Agreement, including any obligations stated hereunder, with reasonable cause by providing written notice of: A material breach of the other party; or Any act exposing the other party to liability to others for personal injury or property damage.

VI. Proprietary Information. Proprietary information, under this Agreement, shall include: The product of all work performed under this Agreement, including without limitation all notes, reports, documentation, drawings, deliverables, will be the sole property of the Client. The Client will be entitled to use Contractor’s name and/or likeness in advertising and other materials.

VII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed under the laws in the State of Louisiana.

VIII. Severability. This Agreement shall remain in effect in the event a section or provision is unenforceable or invalid. All remaining sections and provisions shall be deemed legally binding unless a court rules that any such provision or section or invalid or unenforceable, thus, limiting the effect of another provision or section.