Job Description

Job Description: Part-Time Teaching Artist 

Start Date: ASAP to June 30th, 2026

Position: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Executive Artistic Director

Status : 10hrs/week

Location: City Heights & El Cajon (In-person required for teaching hours)

Salary : $27.75 / hr - $32.25/hr(DOE)

ABOUT THE AJA PROJECT:

The AjA Project is a 25 year old nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego, California, that utilizes media arts-based educational programs to transform the lives of displaced youth. Utilizing participatory photography methods with visual art elements, AjA’s programs encourage youth to think critically about their identities, increase their social capacities and see themselves as agents of personal and social transformation. The AjA Project has also been putting these stories as public art installations throughout the San Diego community. Since its founding in 2000, AjA has provided long-term, community-based programming for thousands of transitional aged youth, and has shared their visual narratives with over 1 million viewers. Learn more about The AjA Project at

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Teaching Artist will lead the class at East County Community School with a support by AjA’s team member (Creative Liason) . The school is part of San Diego’s juvenile Court and Community Schools. The Teaching Artist will create lesson plans, activities and work with the AjA lead instructor (Creative Liaison) in creating an engaging curriculum using art and media arts for the JCCS students. We are looking for candidates that can start ASAP. Depending on the experience, the teaching artist 

Approximate Schedule:  

Start date: ASAP (by mid-January 2026)

(3 HRS) Thursdays, 10am-12pm (comprised of 2 instructional sessions, each being 45-60 minutes) at East County Community School: 924 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021

(7 HRS) Meetings with AJA instructor, debriefs, curriculum planning, lesson plan planing and other tasks related to role as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE:

• Must have or be able to take TB test and livescan.
• Must be able to commute to the school site (mileage reimbursement available).
• Punctuality and ability to provide a professional and supportive classroom environment for students.
• Knowledge of best practices in working with system-engaged/justice-impacted youth.
• Experience facilitating mid to large-group discussions and activities using art and media arts.
• Experience working with BIPOC communities and youth.
• Strong communication skills and classroom management skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

This position is part-time hourly, compensated at $27.75 - $32.25 depending on experience. This is a short-term position that would end upon the completion of the contract on June 30th, 2026 with a possibility of an extension or teaching other AjA Programs. The hours will be basically 10 hours including the classroom preparation and teaching hours. The hours can go over with a prior authorization from the Executive Artistic Director.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The AjA Project encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientations, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis.

To Apply:

Please send your resume, portfolio, and brief cover letter to operations@ajaproject.org.

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