Call Us: 416-667-8600

Assistant Instructor

Reports To:
Mentoring Instructor 

Supervises:
Volunteers, Riders, and Horses 

Benefits:

  • Benefits CARD by helping to teach safe, therapeutically beneficial classes.  
  • Benefits the Assistant Instructor (AI) through continuing education, increased knowledge, certification opportunities, the satisfaction of helping others, and socialization opportunities.  
  • Benefits CARD and the AI by freeing up the Instructor for other tasks.  
  • Benefits CARD by increasing the number of trained instructors, and the ratio of individualized attention the riders receive.  

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Working towards CanTRA Instructor Certification  
  • Must attend 75% of the scheduled meetings per year.  
  • Must have volunteered at CARD for a minimum of 6 terms (summer optional).  

Skills Needed:

  • Previous teaching or horse experience  
  • Responsible, punctual, good interpersonal skills, effective communication skills, good organizational skills, understanding of disabilities, willingness to achieve certification if not currently certified  
  • Knowledge of the CARD policies and procedures .

Time Commitments:

  • Depending on the time slot the AI commits to, their weekly teaching commitment may be 1-2 hrs., as well as overseeing the volunteers before and after class(es). 
  • They are expected to arrive 15-20mins before their volunteer team members to update their class list and be ready to go. They are generally the last team member to leave, ensuring everyone is signed out. 
  • Additionally, the AI will spend time before the term reviewing files and preparing the class list, and will also spend approximately 1 hr./week lesson planning. 
  • CARD supplies a great deal of training, time, and expertise in the training of AI/I team members. In return, it is expected that AIs will teach at CARD for a minimum of one year, once fully trained.

Responsibilities:

  • To be familiar with and knowledgeable about the riders assigned for the term.  
  • Aid in developing and implementing a lesson plan for the term of classes assigned  
  • To provide support and encouragement to the volunteers as needed.  
  • Assist with mounting riders  
  • Lead group exercises to warm up riders  
  • Work with individual riders as needed in accordance with the lesson plan  
  • Assist with dismounting riders  
  • Review the lesson plan with the instructor 
Download a pdf of the CARD Volunteer Application Form HERE