Job Description

Art Teacher at Uncommon Schools summary:

The Art Teacher at Uncommon Schools is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an enriching art curriculum for K-8 students in economically disadvantaged communities. The role includes student instruction, supervision, collaboration with staff and families, and participation in school events to enhance student engagement and academic development. The teacher supports the integration of academic standards, maintains art resources, and contributes to the school’s mission of closing educational achievement gaps.

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks , reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators , offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

In addition to the duties set forth below, the Employee agrees that s/he will perform all the other duties that are assigned by his/her supervisors, the school’s Principal and the Principal’s designees, and/or the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to:

• Taking all steps required by the School to ensure that the Employee becomes highly qualified and certified which includes holding a bachelor’s degree, full-state certification or licensure and otherwise authorized to teach in a public school in the state of employment (charter rights should be included);
• Being present and engaged from 7:00AM- 5:00PM Monday through Friday each week of the school year;
• Providing appropriate supervision of students during class, breaks, meals and transitions to maintain an optimal work environment and to ensure students’ safety and well-being;
• Attending and participating in events outside of normal school hours as needed (e.g., family nights, student performances, field trips, report card nights, Teacher - Parent Conferences, June and August Family Saturday Orientations, etc.).
• Researches, designs, and/or documents standards and curricula for art for students in grades K-4/5-8.
• Ensures a coherent and enriching art experience for students.
• Teaches Art to all students in the school Monday-Thursday each week of the school year.
• Teachers after school enrichment two days per week if included in the school’s programmatic offerings.
• Designs, supervises, and implements all aspects of the Art program, including coordinating with outside providers and vendors, maintaining records, participating in required trainings and certification processes, etc.
• Assists in the purchase and maintenance of the school’s Art equipment.
• Provides, during summer training, an orientation to all staff on the school’s art program, including transitions, standards, appropriate singing, integration, Friday plays, winter holiday celebration(s), arts as a student motivator, arts as an avenue to increase parent involvement, and collaboration and team projects.
• Assists the Director of Operations/Dean of Students in coordinating the school’s annual winter holiday celebration(s), weekly Community Meetings, and Stepping Up celebration(s).
• If requested, teaching at least 1 section of Reading each Monday-Friday each week of the school year;
• Provides instruction in the schools’ core reading program (Reading Mastery) and in other subjects as needed;
• Works with classroom teachers to ensure the integration of academic instruction into Art instruction, particularly Core Knowledge social studies and science curricula.
• Participates in the collaborative curriculum development process.
• Communicates effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Engages families in their children’s education, including involving families in periodic student Art concerts.
• Participates actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings.
• Meets the school’s “Standards for Excellence in Art Instruction” and “Standards for Excellence in Instruction”
• Consistently demonstrates alignment with the school’s core values and educational philosophy.
• Leads by example on how to hold oneself accountable first for student mastery of academic standards
• Manages the department folder on the school server and ensures that curricular materials are well-organized and easily accessible for both current and future teachers.
• Meets with the Principal to review results and plan future actions.
• Completes all necessary school-wide duties for the successful and orderly functioning of the school.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students
• A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
• Required Experience:
  • A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).
  • Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, but you do need to meet NY state certification eligibility requirements. To meet these requirements, you must enroll in a teacher preparation program and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher during your employment with us if you do not have a degree in education. Uncommon Schools teachers are required to become certified in the state of New York within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $50,000 to $64,700. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $50,000. 

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE .

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org. 

Keywords:

Art Education, K-12 Teaching, Curriculum Development, Student Engagement, Classroom Management, Public Charter Schools, Educational Programming, Student Supervision, Art Instruction, Teacher Professional Development

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