A CalArts Assistant Instructor (CAI) for the Sony Pictures Media Arts Program (SPMAP) assists in offering free animation classes to young people, ages 11-18, at CAP partner sites, including libraries and community centers, across Los Angeles County. Assistant Instructors help organize necessary equipment and supplies for each class and practice their teaching skills by helping Lead Instructors facilitate lessons, with guidance. CAIs serve as positive role models for participants in CAP programs by supporting CAP participants’ artistic development, encouraging participants’ experimentation and risk-taking in their art form, honoring their diversity, and being open to a variety of viewpoints. 

CAI's are scheduled to work 10 up to hours per week. This includes classroom time as well as prep time. SPMAP classes begin the week of October 7th and end with the program culminating event on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Classes do not meet on Holidays, Winter Break, or Spring Break. 

CAIs report directly to the SPMAP Program Manager, Tara Burns. 

The six CAP SPMAP sites and program days/times are:

• Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4-7pm
• Pacoima Branch Library, Mondays & Wednesdays, 4-7pm
• Watts Towers Arts Center, Wednesdays 4-7pm & Saturdays 11am-2pm
• William Reagh Los Angeles Photography Center (MacArthur Park/Downtown LA), Saturdays, 10am-3pm
• Wilmington Branch Library, Saturdays, 10am-3pm
• Online (Zoom), TBD

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Assisting in teaching animation techniques & filmmaking strategies with guidance from Lead Instructors, including understanding your role in each lesson by reviewing the lesson plan at least one week ahead of class.
• Creating a safe learning environment that invites critical and constructive dialogue and an exchange of opinions.
• Accompanying SPMAP participants on field trips. 
• Tracking attendance for each class session.
• Setting up and breaking down equipment and supplies before and after each class.
• Keeping class supplies well stocked and organized.
• Attending all pre-scheduled training sessions and meetings with Lead Instructors and/or CAP staff.
• Circulating in the classroom during lessons and providing one-on-one support to students, as well as monitoring the general well-being of all participants during classes.
• Logging hours worked in PayCom promptly in compliance with accounting policies & deadlines.
• Responding to emails and phone calls from the lead instructors and CAP staff in a prompt and courteous manner.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated interest in teaching K-12 students
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Computer skills with knowledge of various animation and filmmaking software, primarily DragonFrame Stop Motion. Comfortable using Google Suite apps and Zoom.
• Exceptional ability to work well with and effectively relate to diverse communities of students, faculty and staff
• Ability to assess students’ progress and skill levels objectively
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

EDUCATION

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• Some college coursework
• BA or BFA degree a plus