Job Title: After School Photoshop Instructor 

Job Type: Part-time, temporary  

Location: New Orleans, LA  

Reports To: Media Education Director  

Compensation: $30–$35/hour, depending on experience  

Dates: November/December 2026–May 2027  

Hours: Approximately 10–11 hours/week during the semester, plus paid pre-semester planning and onboarding

Position Summary

NOVAC is seeking an experienced digital media educator and/or graphic designer to teach our Spring 2027 Graphic Design for Film with Adobe Photoshop after-school class for students in grades 8–12.

This 15-week, project-based course explores the role of graphic design in film and media. Students use Adobe Photoshop to create original film-inspired work, including movie posters, promotional graphics, title cards, pitch materials, and digital artwork.

The instructor will be provided with NOVAC curriculum, course resources, and support from the Media Education Director, but is responsible for planning and delivering engaging, well-prepared lessons aligned with course goals and Adobe Photoshop certification objectives.

This is a credential-bearing course. The instructor will be expected to take the Adobe Photoshop certification exam before the semester begins and prepare students to attempt the certification exam as part of the course.

Spring 2027 Schedule

Family Orientation: January 19 

First Day of Class: January 21  

Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00–7:00 PM, in person at NOVAC  

Instructor Onsite Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30–7:00 PM  

Mardi Gras Break: February 4, 9 & 11 — No Class  

End-of-Year Show: May 6

The instructor is expected to attend Family Orientation and the End-of-Year Show.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum Planning & Preparation

Before Family Orientation, the instructor will:

• Participate in NOVAC instructor onboarding and curriculum orientation
• Review NOVAC's existing course curriculum, projects, and instructional resources
• Draft a semester scope and sequence/class schedule outlining the progression of lessons, projects, certification preparation, and major deadlines
• Revise and finalize the scope and sequence with the Media Education Director
• Complete the Adobe Photoshop certification exam before the first day of class

Once classes begin, paid preparation time includes:

• Developing a detailed agenda for each class session
• Preparing instructional slides, demonstrations, examples, and other classroom materials
• Creating and posting assignments and resources in Google Classroom
• Reviewing and grading student work
• Providing students with feedback and tracking progress
• Preparing students for the Adobe Photoshop certification exam

Preparation is a paid and expected part of this position. Instructors are expected to arrive 30 minutes before the start of each class for classroom setup and preparation. Session agendas, instructional materials, demonstrations, slides, and Google Classroom assignments should be prepared in advance of arrival.

Instruction & Student Support

• Teach two 3-hour after-school classes each week
• Facilitate project-based instruction in Adobe Photoshop, graphic design, and visual storytelling
• Teach Photoshop skills and workflows aligned with Adobe certification objectives
• Support students with a range of prior experience, including beginners
• Create a welcoming, youth-centered classroom environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving
• Support students in developing original portfolio work
• Prepare students to attempt the Adobe Photoshop certification exam
• Support students in selecting and preparing work for the End-of-Year Show

Classroom & Administrative Responsibilities

• Take and submit attendance for each class
• Maintain grades and student assignments in Google Classroom
• Participate in regular classroom observations and debriefs with the Media Education Director
• Communicate student progress, concerns, or support needs to the Media Education Director
• Participate in regular check-ins with the Media Education Director
• Communicate anticipated absences as early as possible so NOVAC can arrange coverage
• Follow NOVAC youth safety, classroom, equipment, and program policies

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop
• Experience in graphic design, digital art, photography, visual media, or a related field
• Experience teaching, mentoring, or working with middle and/or high school-aged youth
• Ability to explain technical and creative concepts clearly to beginning learners
• Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills
• Ability to plan lessons, manage deadlines, and provide constructive feedback on student work
• Willingness to take the Adobe Photoshop certification exam prior to the start of class
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with youth from a broad range of backgrounds
• Successful completion of required background screening for working with minors

These qualifications build on NOVAC's previous youth instructor expectations around Adobe fluency, youth experience, communication, organization, and working effectively with young people from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Adobe Photoshop certification
• Previous experience teaching Photoshop or graphic design
• Experience developing lesson plans or project-based curriculum
• Professional experience in graphic design, film/media, photography, or a related creative digital media industry
• Familiarity with Google Classroom

Time Commitment & Compensation

This is an hourly position. NOVAC pays instructors for both instructional and preparation time. During the semester, instructors should expect approximately 10–12 paid hours per week, including:

• 7 hours onsite: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30–7:00 PM, including 30 minutes of classroom setup/preparation before each class
• Approximately 3–4 additional hours per week: lesson planning, creating slides and Google Classroom assignments, grading student work, and other instructional preparation

Additional paid hours will be scheduled before the semester for onboarding, curriculum planning, certification, and Family Orientation.

Compensation: $30–$35/hour, depending on experience.

This structure is consistent with NOVAC's previous practice of explicitly allocating paid time for lesson preparation in addition to instructional hours.

Pre-Semester Planning

Because instructors are expected to begin the semester prepared to teach, this position includes paid planning and onboarding before classes begin.

The anticipated timeline is:

• November 2026: Hiring and onboarding
• November–December: Curriculum orientation, Adobe Photoshop certification exam, and scope and sequence development
• December 18: Draft scope and sequence due
• December 19–January 5: NOVAC closed for Winter Break; no work expected
• January 6–15: Finalize scope and sequence, prepare Google Classroom and instructional materials, and complete initial lesson preparation
• January 19: Family Orientation
• January 21: First day of class

The semester scope and sequence must be reviewed and approved by the Media Education Director before Family Orientation.

To Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Brief cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant teaching and/or professional experience
• Portfolio or examples of creative work

Application Deadline: October 28, 2026

Interviews: November 4-6  

Anticipated Start Date: Late November/Early December 2026