Preschool Karate Instructor

Amazing Athletes; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 10,000 - 12,000; Part time

Job summary

Karate Zoo is seeking energetic coaches to teach martial arts to preschool and school-aged children on a year-round, part-time schedule. Start as Junior Coach and grow into Lead and Senior roles with training provided.

Most classes are mornings (25–30 minutes). You will typically teach 2–4 classes per morning and are guaranteed pay for a minimum of 2 classes. Must have karate background and reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• Previous karate/martial arts experience required
• Must be great with kids
• Must be able to pass PA clearances (FBI fingerprint, Child Abuse, State Police)
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to lift 25-40 lbs of equipment
• Must be punctual and reliable
• Must be energetic, positive, and coachable
• Must be available for consistent weekday classes
• Must be looking for a year-round position

Responsibilities

• Teach Karate Zoo classes at preschools, childcare centers, and recreation programs
• Introduce young children to age-appropriate karate and martial arts fundamentals
• Build coordination, balance, confidence, discipline, and listening skills
• Follow our established Karate Zoo curriculum and lesson plans
• Set up and clean up light equipment that we provide
• Communicate clearly with management and school staff
• Keep classes moving, organized, positive, and FUN
• Create a safe and encouraging introduction to martial arts for young children

Skills

Karate background

Kids friendly

Public speaking

Dependable

Travel between schools

Strong communicator

Weekday flexibility

Long-term commitment

Job description

Karate Zoo Coach - Part-Time Youth Martial Arts Instructor

Start as a Junior Coach - Grow Into a Lead & Senior Coach

Please note: this is a year-round position. If you can only work seasonally, this role isn't the right fit.

Karate Zoo is growing, and we're looking for energetic, positive, reliable coaches with a karate or martial arts background who love working with young children.

Unlike our general sports coaching positions, previous karate or martial arts experience IS required for this position. You don't need years of professional teaching experience or need to be a current martial arts instructor - but you should have a solid understanding of basic karate/martial arts skills and techniques.

We provide training on our Karate Zoo curriculum and how to teach it to young children!

If you want a light, mostly-mornings schedule (5-10 hours/week), tons of high-fives, and a chance to introduce young kids to martial arts in a fun, positive environment - keep reading.

Our coaches typically teach 2-4 classes per morning, each -30 minutes long. You're guaranteed pay for a minimum of 2 classes per morning.

What the Schedule Looks Like

Every coach's schedule is a little different, but once your weekly classes are set, it stays very consistent. Most classes wrap up before noon. Afternoon classes exist but are less common.

A sample week might look like (please note this is just an example):

Monday - School 1, 9:30am start, ~3 classes

Tuesday - School 2, 9:30am start, ~2 classes

Wednesday - School 3, 9:30am start, ~2-3 classes

Thursday - School 4, 9:30am start, ~4 classes

Friday - School 5, 9:30am start, ~2 classes

Sample only - your actual schedule may vary. Based on location, we try to keep coaches within approximately 30 minutes of where they reside.

Pay Structure - Transparent & Growing

We pay per class with guaranteed opportunities for raises as you grow. Classes are 25-30 minutes each.

Junior Coach - $13/class (~$26/hr): Your first 6 months. You'll train on the Karate Zoo curriculum, shadow when necessary, and transition into teaching classes independently. Most coaches begin teaching on their own fairly quickly, with regular check-ins, school feedback, and pop-in evaluations to ensure quality.

Lead Coach - $14/class (~$28/hr): Eligible after 6 months of strong performance. You'll run classes independently with reliable communication, strong classroom management, and consistent program quality.

Senior Coach - $15/class (~$30/hr): Eligible after 12 months of consistent, high-quality coaching and successful evaluations. Senior Coaches may take the lead on larger classes and special programming and help train new Junior Coaches.

What You'll Do

• Teach fun, structured Karate Zoo classes at preschools, childcare centers, and recreation programs
• Introduce young children to age-appropriate karate and martial arts fundamentals
• Teach basic techniques while building coordination, balance, confidence, discipline, and listening skills
• Follow our established Karate Zoo curriculum and lesson plans
• Set up and clean up light equipment that we provide
• Communicate clearly with management and school staff
• Keep classes moving, organized, positive, and FUN
• Create a safe and encouraging introduction to martial arts for young children

Who We're Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you’re:

• Experienced in karate or another applicable martial art
• Outgoing, energetic, and genuinely enjoy working with young children
• Comfortable leading groups and being the center of attention
• Dependable and professional
• Able to reliably travel between schools
• A strong communicator
• Looking for a flexible, part-time weekday schedule
• Interested in a LONG-TERM, year-round part-time position

Please do not apply if you are only looking for seasonal work.

Previous experience teaching martial arts or working with children is a big plus, but you do not need to already be a professional martial arts instructor. We will train you on the Karate Zoo curriculum and our approach to working with young children.

Requirements

• Previous karate/martial arts experience is required
• Must be great with kids
• Must be able to pass PA clearances (FBI fingerprint, Child Abuse, State Police)
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to lift 25-40 lbs of equipment
• Must be punctual and reliable
• Must be energetic, positive, and coachable
• Must be available for consistent weekday classes
• Must be looking for a year-round position

What Is Karate Zoo?

Karate Zoo introduces young children to martial arts through a fun, imaginative, age-appropriate program.

We're not trying to turn preschoolers into competitive fighters! Our goal is to use the fundamentals of martial arts to help children develop confidence, coordination, balance, discipline, listening skills, and a love of being active.

If you have a karate or martial arts background and think you'd be great at making martial arts FUN for kids, hit Apply — we'd love to meet you!