Pre-K-12 Partnerships Coordinator

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a Part-time Partnerships Coordinator to serve as CPA's primary link to schools, teachers, and young audiences. The role combines community visits with development of STM programming and classroom-aligned materials.

Ideal candidates have a background in K–12 arts education or community engagement and strong communication skills. Travel within the region and flexible scheduling are required; bilingual applicants are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Background in K–12 arts education, classroom teaching, or community arts engagement strongly preferred.
• Genuine enthusiasm for building relationships with educators and young people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — comfortable presenting to teachers and school groups.
• Organized and self-directed; able to manage an active schedule of school visits and follow-up independently.
• Familiarity with K–12 curriculum frameworks and arts integration practices a plus.
• Valid driver’s license required; ability to travel to schools and community sites in the region.
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• School & Community Outreach: Conduct regular visits to K–12 schools, public libraries, and community sites to build relationships with educators, librarians, and program coordinators.
• Educator champions: Identify and cultivate educator champions — teachers and school leaders who can amplify CPA's reach and advocate for arts integration across their institutions.
• Teacher events: Represent CPA at teacher-facing events, curriculum nights, and professional learning days.
• Student Matinee (STM) Programming: Assist the Assistant Director of Programming to curate and develop STM experiences that are meaningfully connected to classroom curricula.
• STM materials: Develop and maintain teacher preparation and post-show materials (study guides, discussion frameworks, extension activities) that help educators maximize the impact of STM attendance.
• Communication: Communicate with teachers before and after STM events to gather feedback, share resources, and strengthen ongoing relationships.
• Data tracking: Track teacher and school participation data to support planning, reporting, and grant documentation.
• Educator relationships: Maintain an active network of classroom teachers, arts educators, and school administrators across the region.
• Outreach communication: Communicate regularly with teacher contacts about upcoming programming, education resources, and partnership opportunities.
• Teacher events development: Help develop teacher-specific events and professional learning experiences that position CPA as a resource for arts-integrated instruction.
• Program coordination: Support coordination with Penn State pre-service teaching faculty to connect student teachers with CPA programming and resources.

Job description

Job Description and Position Requirements

The Center for the Performing Arts in the College of Arts & Architecture is seeking applicants for a Part‑time pre‑K-12 Partnerships Coordinator. This position is the CPA's primary connector to schools, teachers, and young audiences. The person in this role will spend meaningful time out in the community — visiting classrooms, libraries, and schools, building relationships with educators, and helping teachers see CPA as an ongoing curricular partner rather than an occasional field‑trip destination. On the inside, they support the curation and development of Student Matinee (STM) programming, help build curricular materials that give performances lasting meaning in the classroom, and contribute to expanding CPA's performing arts reach within programs like Galaxy: The Arts-in-Education program of Central Intermediate Unit 10. This role is ideal for someone with a background in arts education, teaching, or community engagement, who is energized by relationship‑building and genuinely passionate about connecting young people to the performing arts.

What You’ll Do

• School & Community Outreach
  • Conduct regular visits to K–12 schools, public libraries, and community sites to build relationships with educators, librarians, and program coordinators.
  • Identify and cultivate educator champions — teachers and school leaders who can amplify CPA's reach and advocate for arts integration across their institutions.
  • Represent CPA at teacher‑facing events, curriculum nights, and professional learning days.
• Student Matinee (STM) Programming
  • Assist the Assistant Director of Programming to curate and develop STM experiences that are meaningfully connected to classroom curricula.
  • Develop and maintain teacher preparation and post‑show materials (study guides, discussion frameworks, extension activities) that help educators maximize the impact of STM attendance.
  • Communicate with teachers before and after STM events to gather feedback, share resources, and strengthen ongoing relationships.
  • Track teacher and school participation data to support planning, reporting, and grant documentation.
• Educator Relationship Development
  • Maintain an active network of classroom teachers, arts educators, and school administrators across the region.
  • Communicate regularly with teacher contacts about upcoming programming, education resources, and partnership opportunities.
  • Help develop teacher‑specific events and professional learning experiences that position CPA as a resource for arts‑integrated instruction.
  • Support coordination with Penn State pre‑service teaching faculty to connect student teachers with CPA programming and resources.

What We’re Looking For

• Background in K–12 arts education, classroom teaching, or community arts engagement strongly preferred.
• Genuine enthusiasm for building relationships with educators and young people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — comfortable presenting to teachers and school groups.
• Organized and self‑directed; able to manage an active schedule of school visits and follow‑up independently.
• Familiarity with K–12 curriculum frameworks and arts integration practices a plus.
• Valid driver’s license required; ability to travel to schools and community sites in the region.
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Hours & Compensation

• Part‑time, approximately 15-20 hours per week.
• The starting rate for this job is $25/hr.
• Schedule varies seasonally, with higher activity during STM season (fall and spring).
• Some evening availability may be needed for teacher events or school performances.
• Flexible scheduling; mix of in‑person, field work, and remote administrative tasks.

Background Checks/Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.