Tennis Instructor

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. Programs provide opportunities to explore and develop talents while gaining critical skills for success in college and beyond.

About the role

We are seeking committed part-time instructors to teach a Tennis, Leadership, and Wellness program located at the Obama Presidential Center’s Home Court Gym during the Fall Session 2026. The program will serve 15 teen participants aged 14-19, offering a foundational review of tennis enriched with leadership and wellness activities, community building, and personal development. The program provides a safe, supportive, and fun environment where teens can practice teamwork and learn about careers in sports.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate a youth tennis curriculum, including community engagement opportunities and guest speakers.
• Create clear program structure and support for teens, including agenda setting, group norms, and abiding by ASM’s supportive behavior management plan and incident reporting procedures.
• Teach and demonstrate tennis fundamentals and techniques, including proper footwork, serving, and timing.
• Lead activities on tennis strategies, organize games, and provide feedback to help teens improve.
• Engage and guide teens through leadership methods and their application in real-world experiences.
• Adapt instruction to meet varying skill levels and encourage participation.
• Lead teens through the planning and implementation of an end-of-session demonstration of learning.
• Conduct teen interviews and select teens by the ASM roster deadline.
• Complete data entry, including interview outcomes, daily attendance, teen checklist support, program reports, and teen survey administration.
• Supervise teens at an average ratio of 15:1 (teen-to-instructor).
• Supervise and collaborate with a teen assistant.
• Submit a program curriculum plan before the start of the program session.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area is preferred; high school diploma or GED required.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required.
• Experience coaching tennis or working with youth in any sports setting is highly preferred.
• Experience teaching, specifically teens, is highly preferred.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of tennis fundamentals and ability to teach them effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Cultural competence and experience in youth development.

Schedule

The fall program will run over 10 weeks from September 28 to December 12, 2026. Anticipated program hours are Monday–Wednesday, 5:00–7:30 PM. Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings.

Pay

$20–27 per hour, depending on applicable experience and education.