Horizons - Classroom Coach

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Assist grade-level teaching team by actively participating in academic and recreational activities.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the classroom team to support approximately 18-22 students.
• Assume the role of big brother/big sister and mentor.
• Build strong and mutually respectful relationships with staff and students with the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration.
• Participate in creating an emotionally safe and trauma-responsive classroom environment.
• Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners.
• Help to foster, establish, and maintain an emotionally safe and trauma-informed environment at HSHU.
• Lead small group activities under the supervision of program staff to share their passions, hobbies, talents, and skills with students.
• Assist with and participate in assembly.
• Prepare and gather materials to support student learning.
• Monitor the well-being of students and help them transition safely between activities.
• Actively participate in learning and recreation, assuming the role of a model student.
• Actively participate during swimming instruction (must enter the water with students).
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Experience working with children.
• A passion for learning
• Capacity to be a responsible role model for students.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team player, and a commitment to social-emotional growth.

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a seasonal summer program position.

Full and half-day positions are available.

Dates of Program:

• Training week: 6/23 through 6/27/25

• Program Days: 6/30 through 8/8/25; two required evening events 8/6/25 & 8/8/25
• Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/11 & 8/12/25
• Pre-Training Onboarding – Date TBD

Trainings generally run 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Program days are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.