PAYMENT iNFORMATION:

CREATE YOUR GUSTO ACCOUNT:

• We send payments as direct deposit through Gusto. Gusto is also how you will access your 1099. 

• If you are a new teacher, you will receive an email from Gusto before your start date. Upon receipt, follow the following steps:

• Set up a username and password

• Enter your government name as found on your ID and/or passport

• Enter your Social Security Number 

• Enter your Routing & Account Number

Payment rates:

Lead teachers track two types of rates: General Support and Classroom Instruction

GENERAL SUPPORT HOURS: Prep, Planning Meetings, Example Projects, Art Supply Organization and Set Up, Outreach Events, Intern Meetings, Wrap

• Rate is $25/hour

• These hours are discussed individually with teachers, depending on your project needs

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION HOURS: Instruction time interacting directly with students 

• Rate is $30/hour for new teachers. After working with Art Camp 504 for 6 months, hourly rate is increased to $35/hour

• Most lead teachers work 9:00 - 3:30. Some teachers will start at 8:30, and one teacher works aftercare until 5:30. These hours are discussed individually

• If you work additional hours, such as staying late for meetings or Friday wrap, include them in the general support category

TRACKING AND SUBMITTING YOUR HOURS:

USING YOUR PROVIDED HOURLY TRACKER:

Art Camp 504 provides teachers with individual forms for tracking hours. The tracker has two tabs - one for “General Camp Support” and one for “Classroom Instruction.”

• Enter the date, number of hours, and description for all entries

• Please reference the EXAMPLE HOURLY TRACKER for further instructions

SUBMITTING YOUR HOURS:

• All teachers and contractors paid hourly enter their hours weekly using the TIME REPORT FORM.

• The form is due Monday at 10:00am CST, and payroll will be deposited on Friday of the same week. If there is a holiday that week, you will receive payment on the following Monday.

• If we receive your payroll submission after the deadline, your payment will be included in the following week’s payroll.

Planning and setup:

LESSON PREP AND EXAMPLE PROJECTS:

Lead teachers may have the opportunity to develop new lessons and create example projects based on the camp’s curriculum needs. If new lessons or projects are required, the Camp Director will provide additional details. Some projects will be reused from previous camps, so prep time may not always be necessary.

teacher meeting and set up at the tigermen den:

Before the first day of camp, teachers and the Camp Director will gather at the Tigermen Den for a setup and preparation day. Attendance is not mandatory for all teachers, depending on the specific project requirements. During this session, we will: organize project areas, review the camp schedule, print planning guides and complete any unfinished example projects.

WINTER CAMP SET UP: Thursday, Dec 19, time TBD

GOOGLE DRIVE:

Google Drive is our central hub for organizing curriculum, planning resources, photos, and reference materials. The Curriculum Folder includes sub folders for all camps. Within the Curriculum folder, you will see the Holiday Camp Folder.

Within the holiday camp folder is a folder for each break camp: FALL, THANKSGIVING, WINTER and SPRING.

important contents in HOLDAY CAMP FOLDERS:

• Master Schedules & Materials Spreadsheet

  • SCHEDULES TAB: Includes teacher and intern work schedules, daily activity breakdowns, aftercare assignments, and more

  • MATERIALS TAB: Details all required materials by project and their sourcing information

• PRODUCTION OUTLINE

  • Overview of the staff list, event details, detailed project descriptions, and daily schedules for each camp week

• PLANNING GUIDES

  • Worksheets that students will use during camp sessions

• EXAMPLE PROJECT PHOTOS

  • Reference images of planned projects for the camp

• PHOTO FAVORITES

  • A collection of the best photos from each camp session, uploaded after the session concludes

CLASS documentation: photos & videos

Why Do We Need Photos and Videos?

• To promote our classes and reach new students — This helps us grow our program and showcase what we offer.

• To increase parent engagement and satisfaction — Parents love seeing their children happy and thriving in class.

• To document projects for future camps and classes — Capturing moments helps us plan and improve future programs.

• For social media content — Photos and short videos (15-20 seconds) are ideal for Instagram stories and reels. At the end of the semester, we compile these clips into a final highlight reel to celebrate the session.

OUR DOCUMENTATION NEEDS:

We greatly value and appreciate when teachers help document their classes during holiday break camps. Your photos make a significant difference, and we’re incredibly thankful for your efforts! We also encourage teachers to involve interns in capturing photos throughout the camp. At the end of each session, please text or AirDrop your photos to the Camp Director.

PHOTO AND VIDEO GUIDE:

For tips and examples of effective documentation, please refer to our PHOTO AND VIDEO GUIDE. This resource provides:

• Best practices for respectfully documenting student work.

• Characteristics of high-quality photos that align with our needs.

• Guidelines for creating engaging short-form video content.

Your contributions to our documentation efforts help showcase the incredible creativity and hard work of our students and staff. Thank you for being part of this process!

DOGS AT ART CAMP

Our dogs are a big part of the Art Camp 504 community. The Camp Director’s dogs are Ziggy Stardust and Princess Supernova, they are at camp every day. We also have occasional visits from Pop Tart and Remy, also Japanese Chins. Sometimes Freddie will visit, she is the Tigermen Den owner’s dog and has been coming to camp for years. She is the sweetest pit bull and is a trained service dog. Mama visits when Mr. Fin is teaching, she is the grandmother of Art Camp 504 and likes to sit peacefully next to the kids.

The dogs are all very friendly and comfortable at Art Camp 504. They are used to the kids and are managed by their owners while at camp.

SUBMITTING YOUR TEACHER BIO:

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BIO:

All teachers are required to submit a photo and bio that we can share on our website. Teachers are responsible for reviewing their bio each semester and sending updates as needed so that the information is relevant. Please send your bio and photo to info@artcamp504.org before your first scheduled class begins. View teacher bios on our TEAM page.

SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BIO:

Showcase your greatest achievements, artistic passions, and skills. Write your bio in 3rd person so they all match. Keep your bio one paragraph, and relative in size to the other bios on the website. Include your preferred name and pronouns.

• Your education and degrees

• Link to your website, business or instagram (I will create a hyperlink on the Art Camp 504 website)

• Achievements as an artist - gallery shows, exhibitions, publications, commissions, large scale art works, awards, films, etc. Pick a few that you are most proud of to highlight

• Artistic vision - what mediums do you work in, what are you most inspired by

• Teaching experience - what experience do you have with kids outside of art camp 504? schools, other summer camps, after school programs, etc. If you've been with us 2 or more years, highlight that!

• Other work that you do... work in the film industry? are you a musician? freelance photographer? event planner?

• What else are you passionate about? Mardi Gras costumes? Travel? Social justice? Comic books? Your dog?

eLECTRONICS:

To our goal is to create an electronics-free environment that also supports focused, educational use of devices through direct instruction.

STUDENTS:

• Permitted Use: Electronics are allowed for educational purposes only, such as finding reference photos, filming, animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, and similar activities. Device use is strictly supervised by teachers during digital media classes.

• Restrictions: Non-educational use—such as watching videos, playing games, or texting friends—is not permitted. If a student uses their device for these purposes, it will be taken and returned at dismissal. Continued misuse will result in a loss of electronics privileges at camp.

STAFF:

• Device Use: Teachers are expected to keep personal phone use to an absolute minimum during class. Quick responses to emergency messages are acceptable; however, routine phone use should be avoided.

IMPORTANT POLICIES:

STAFF ATTIRE:

Staff attire should be comfortable, durable, and appropriate for active and creative activities with children. Wear clothing that allows you to move easily and participate in hands-on activities (e.g., T-shirts, jeans, closed toed shoes, cargo pants, or shorts of a modest length). Keep attire modest and respectful to maintain a child-friendly atmosphere. As some projects may involve acrylic paint, please wear clothes that can handle occasional paint splashes. We encourage staff to express themselves creatively through their clothing, and costumes are always welcome!

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STAFF:

Prompt communication is an essential part of working with a team. We request that teachers respond to all text messages and emails that ask for a response within 48 hours. If you are not able to respond within 48 hours, respond saying that you received the information and give a time frame in which you can respond.

PHOTO RELEASE:

Art Camp 504 may photograph or record camp activities for promotional purposes including but not limited to brochures, websites, social media platforms, and advertisements. By participating, teachers grant us permission to use images or recordings of their class and projects for these purposes. Teachers may opt of our the photo release by emailing info@artcamp504.org with your request.

ART SUPPLIES & PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

Art Camp 504 will provide all materials and cover the cost of all supplies needed for class. Teachers may bring in their personal equipment at their own risk, teachers are not required to bring any personal items for use in class. We are not responsible for personal items lost or damaged during class.

TARDINESS POLICY:

Depending on the circumstances and length of time, teachers that are late to camp three or more times may not be considered for future teaching positions.

STAFF CULTURE:

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Support fellow teachers, interns, and staff in and out of the classroom.

• Embrace open communication and share ideas, resources, and successes. Share feedback and suggestions with leadership

• Ask questions when you don’t understand something or aren’t sure what to do

Encourage Creative Freedom

• Value and support students' creative choices, offering guidance while letting them lead the way.

• Foster a safe, non-judgmental space for self-expression.

Flexibility & Adaptability

• Embrace the dynamic nature of working in a fast paced environment with kids, including being open to trying new approaches.

• Adapt plans when necessary to fit the group’s energy, interests, and evolving needs.

Positivity & Enthusiasm

• Model a positive, encouraging attitude to build an uplifting atmosphere.

• Bring energy and enthusiasm to every session, recognizing its impact on students.

Respect & Inclusion

• Treat every student, family, and team member with respect and empathy.

• Cultivate an inclusive culture that honors diversity and encourages everyone to belong.

Professionalism & Preparedness

• Arrive ready and prepared to engage, with lessons planned and materials ready.

• Maintain professional boundaries and show up consistently as a role model.

Safety & Well-being First

• Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of all students at all times.

• Foster an environment of mutual respect and trust where students feel safe to explore.

MANAGING STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

CLICK HERE to learn about Art Camp 504’s culture and behavior expectations for students. This page includes our community norms, behavior consequences, conflict resolution strategies, Tigermen Den rules, behavior management techniques and more.

What behaviors are not allowed in our community?

• Curse Words and Hateful Language: Anything said to intentionally make another person feel bad. If it makes you feel sad in your heart, don’t say it.

• Bullying: Intentionally making someone feel bad over and over through mean words, threats or violence

• Physical Violence: Hitting, punching, kicking, pinching, throwing objects, yelling, stomping

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

• VERBAL REMINDER

• We will remind you of community norms and you will apologize for your actions.

• SECOND REMINDER, TIME OUT

• We will remind you again of community norms. You will apologize for your actions and sit in Time Out for 10 minutes.

• PARENT PHONE CALL, TIME OUT

• If the behavior continues, you will speak to your parents on the phone. You will apologize and sit in Time Out for 15 minutes.

• REMOVAL FROM CLASS FOR THE DAY

• If the behavior still continues, your parents will take you home early from class. If they are not available, you will sit in Time Out for the rest of the day.

• ONE WEEK SUSPENSION

• If you return to camp the next week and are still acting inappropriately, you will be sent home from class and will not be allowed to attend the following week

• REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM

  • If you return to camp after the suspension and are still acting inappropriately, you will be removed from the program for the remainder of the semester. We do not issue refunds for students with behavior infractions.

CONTACTING PARENTS FOR BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS:

Lead teachers enforce our behavior expectations during class time.

• Teachers make the initial phone call - explaining to the parent what is going on and having the student talk to the parent on the phone. The teacher clarifies that they are not being removed from camp at the moment, but if the behavior continues they will need to be picked up early.

• If the behavior continues after the initial parent phone call, the Camp Director will make the phone call to send the student home early

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

I. Independent Contractor Status. The Contractor, under the code of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is an independent contractor and neither the Contractor’s employees or contract personnel are, or shall be deemed, the Client’s employees. In its capacity as an independent contractor, Contractor agrees and represents: Contractor has the right to perform Services for others during the term of this Agreement.

II. Federal and State Taxes. Under this Agreement, the Client shall not be responsible for:

Withholding FICA, Medicare, Social Security, or any other federal or state withholding taxes from the Contractor’s payments to employees or personnel or make payments on behalf of the Contractor; Making federal or state unemployment compensation contributions on the Contractor’s behalf; and payment of all taxes incurred related to or while performing the Services under this Agreement, including all applicable income taxes and, if the Contractor is not a corporation, all applicable self-employment taxes. 

III. Liability Insurance. The Contractor agrees to bear all responsibility for the actions related to themselves under this Agreement. There shall be no minimum required for the liability insurance. 

IV. Indemnification. The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Client harmless from any loss of liability from performing the Services under this Agreement.

V. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate when teacher is finished teaching classes. In addition, the Client of Contractor may terminate this Agreement, including any obligations stated hereunder, with reasonable cause by providing written notice of: A material breach of the other party; or Any act exposing the other party to liability to others for personal injury or property damage.

VI. Proprietary Information. Proprietary information, under this Agreement, shall include: The product of all work performed under this Agreement, including without limitation all notes, reports, documentation, drawings, deliverables, will be the sole property of the Client. The Client will be entitled to use Contractor’s name and/or likeness in advertising and other materials.

VII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed under the laws in the State of Louisiana.

VIII. Severability. This Agreement shall remain in effect in the event a section or provision is unenforceable or invalid. All remaining sections and provisions shall be deemed legally binding unless a court rules that any such provision or section or invalid or unenforceable, thus, limiting the effect of another provision or section.