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Now Hiring · All Studios

On-Call Substitute Guide

Step into our learners’ world — help them stay curious, kind, and independent on the days our regular guides aren’t in the studio.

Studios
All five
Ages 4.5–15
Schedule
As-needed
8 AM – 3 PM
Pay
$16–$20
per hour
Location
Dublin, OH
In-person
The Role

What you’d do

Acton Columbus runs five studios — Spark (4.5–7), Growth (7–10), Discovery (10–12), Adventure (12–15), and Launchpad. Each studio has its own rhythm, age group, and culture. When one of our Lead Guides is out, we need someone steady to step in and protect that culture for the day.

This isn’t a babysitting role. You’ll be the calm, curious adult who keeps the rhythm going, asks more than tells, and trusts learners to figure things out for themselves — even when it’s tempting to step in.

You’d float between studios as needed. We’ll match you to the studios that fit your strengths and comfort, but flexibility across age groups is a plus.

Day to Day

Your responsibilities

  • Hold the studio’s established routines and daily rhythms together with warmth and consistency.
  • Foster a respectful, nurturing culture where every learner feels safe and seen.
  • Encourage independence — let learners make choices, solve problems, and resolve conflicts on their own first.
  • Ask questions instead of giving answers. Notice what learners are working on. Be genuinely curious.
  • Maintain the prepared environment: tidy materials, clean spaces, and orderly transitions.
  • Communicate clearly with our team at arrival and departure — share what you observed, what worked, what didn’t.
Who You Are

What we’re looking for

  • You’ve worked with children or adolescents in a classroom, daycare, camp, tutoring, or similar setting. Comfort across multiple age groups is a plus.
  • You’re warm, patient, and dependable. You stay calm when things get loud or messy.
  • You believe young people are capable of more than most adults give them credit for.
  • Familiarity with Montessori, Reggio, Waldorf, or other learner-centered approaches is a plus — but not required. We’ll teach you our way.
  • You communicate clearly, show up on time, and follow through.
  • Bachelor’s or Associate’s in Education (or related) is a plus — not required.
About Acton Columbus

A different kind of school.

Acton Academy Columbus is an independent microschool in Dublin, Ohio. Our learners — we call them Eagles — take ownership of their own education through hands-on quests, Socratic discussions, and real-world challenges. No grades. No tests. No worksheets. Just curious children, intentional adults, and the work of becoming.

If you’ve ever taught and thought there has to be a better way, we think you’d feel at home here.

Apply

Ready to step in?

A few quick questions. We’ll get back to you within a few days — promise.