Music Mentor

We work in public schools and community settings, using the arts to ignite confidence, connection, and creativity. The Guitars Over Guns Mentor is a paid, year-long role for experienced performing or visual artists passionate about youth empowerment, artistic excellence, and community impact. Core Responsibilities • Managing Student Success • Foster artistic development and performance-readiness for all students • Guide students through setting and achieving personal, academic, and artistic goals • Apply PYD principles to build trust, resilience, and long-term student success • Recruit and consistently engage a core group of at least 7 students per mentor, and foster an environment where students feel supported, heard, and excited to return to each session • Running Great Sessions • Create a consistent, youth-centered, and culturally responsive learning environment • Plan and lead sessions using GOGO’s curriculum resources including: • Shared Songbook • M-Power Handbook • Session Flow • Additional PYD-based resources and strategies • Lead engaging activities that promote creative skill-building, collaboration, and leadership • Planning & Preparation • Collaborate with your site team in advance of each week’s sessions, using the Google Doc planning template provided, to align on goals, responsibilities, and student needs • Arrive fully prepared to each session with lesson materials, structured plans, and clear objectives • Adjust instruction and team collaboration in response to feedback, student progress, and data insights • Arrive at assigned site(s) 20 minutes before session start time for set-up and preparation, and remain 10 minutes after session end for cleanup, team debrief, and reporting • Evaluation & Continuous Improvement • Track student participation and PYD progress through: • Weekly session reports • Hello Insight surveys • Site-specific systems such as The Children’s Trust (Miami) • Additional data collection as instructed • Receive and apply regular feedback from Programs Managers and peers • Take ownership of program quality and contribute to an environment of continuous learning and improvement • Relationships & Engagement • Build and maintain meaningful, affirming relationships with students • Engage families, caregivers, school staff, and fellow mentors to support holistic youth development • Chaperone student performances, field trips, and special events • Represent Guitars Over Guns with professionalism in all interactions and settings • Systems Use & Communication • Use Salesforce to: • Track student enrollment and attendance • Submit session reports, updates on student progress, and document site-specific challenges or needs • Use Discord to: • Communicate consistently with your site team • Communicate with and receive updates from GOGO Programs staff • Access key program resources • Engage with both platforms regularly to stay informed, collaborate effectively, and support program accountability Qualifications • At least 18 years old with two (2) or more years of professional experience or formal training as a performing musician, music producer, songwriter, visual artist, or teaching artist • Eligible to work legally in the U.S. • Able to pass a federal background check and any additional screenings required by schools and municipalities • Experience with PYD, restorative practices, or trauma-informed approaches preferred • Proven ability to build rapport with middle and high school youth • Effective communicator with strong classroom and behavior management skills • Must be able to travel to assigned school(s) and community program sites in a timely and dependable manner Employment Terms • This is a W-2, part-time, at-will employment position • Hourly pay: $40/hour, paid biweekly via Paychex