Job Description

About St. John’s

St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving up to 500 students in grades pre-k through eight. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character, and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not only as a school, but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School –understand that they impact the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments, and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community. Do you dream of becoming the best educator you can? Of coming to work each day with a sense of mastery, belonging, and purpose? Of working with fun, collegial, collaborative, growth-minded professionals? If so, you could thrive at St. John’s.

Position Purpose

This full-time position requires the teacher to teach a comprehensive visual arts program in fifth and sixth grades and art portfolio electives in seventh and eighth grades. In an environment that values collaboration, curricular integration, and differentiated instruction, the teacher will use a variety of media (e.g., drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture) to expand upon the skills fifth and sixth graders learn in Primary and Lower School. In seventh and eighth grades, students choose from among a variety of electives each quarter. The art teacher should be prepared to offer portfolio electives that help advanced students refine their skills and prepare a well-rounded artist’s portfolio, which in some cases will be used to support students’ applications to high school art magnet programs.

The Middle School art teacher deepens students’ visual arts skills, nurturing an appreciation for and interest in the arts, demonstrating a commitment to the growth and developmental needs of pre- and early-adolescent children, and enthusiastically sharing passion for the arts with the School community.

The School seeks a warm and talented educator who will share a passion for the arts with students and help them grow as artists and in their appreciation of art, irrespective of their individual skill level. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to teach middle school students, collaborate with colleagues, and partner with families.

Key Accountabilities

• Teach multiple sections of visual arts classes to fifth through eighth grade students by creating a dynamic, participatory, and creative learning environment and instilling pride in the arts program among students and the greater community.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of middle school art techniques and pedagogy in a studio setting.
• Use a variety of art resources in teaching, including drawing, painting, visual arts, graphic arts, digital media, and other 2D/3D media.
• Collaborate with Fine Arts vertical team members to curate and develop exhibitions of student artwork and cultivate relationships with visiting and local artists.
• Cultivate culturally competent art classrooms by establishing and maintaining a respectful and conscientious environment.
• Maintain a positive, actively engaged classroom environment that enhances student learning, encourages risk-taking, shares appreciation for effort, and one in which students feel supported and excited to individually and collaboratively showcase their talents.
• Care for and maintain School-owned art equipment and resources.
• Participate in continuous curriculum evaluation with grade-level and vertical peers.
• Collaborate with vertical team members to ensure art curriculum continuity between Lower and Middle School and as students progress through Middle School. The vertical team monitors and advances the quality of the overall program and the progress and success of students.
• Maintain curriculum documentation in accordance with Middle School division requirements.
• Understand and meet the developmental and academic needs of Middle School students of varying academic, social and emotional abilities. Differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.
• Adapt instructional strategies to accommodate the needs of students with diagnosed learning differences according to the accommodations outlined on Student Support Plans.
• Provide feedback to students and parents using a variety of tools including progress and grade reports, in-person and video conferences, phone calls, emails, and one-on-one meetings. The teacher is expected to write thoughtful, meaningful, and well-articulated comments that reflect students’ progress and give specific direction for growth.
• Maintain daily lesson plans and effectively use the Student Information System, Learning Management System, and various other online tools. The teacher is expected to electronically record attendance, gradebooks, and reports.
• Attend and contribute to regular grade‐level, vertical, divisional, and all-employee meetings.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned, such as lunch, recess, study hall, and/or carpool duty. Participate fully in the School community through club sponsorship, coaching, event attendance, or by other means, such as the formation and sponsorship of an extracurricular art club. Chaperone student events, such as Middle School dances, day trips, and overnight trips.
• Adapt curriculum and instructional modalities as necessary based on whether learning is taking place on campus, at home, or in a hybrid/blended environment. Demonstrate technical proficiency and the ability to plan, organize, teach, and communicate in person, to a blended in-person/online class, and in synchronous and asynchronous online environments.

Opportunities and Challenges

The Middle School art teacher contributes to the development of students’ visual art skills as the teacher helps students practice effective habits and attitudes in their fulfillment of class expectations. The teacher maintains classroom environments that positively support the contributions of each student. The teacher must:

• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty, and care.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Share a passion for art and art education, as well as a commitment to helping students develop their visual art abilities and appreciation for diverse art traditions.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal Identity, ethos, and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.

Growth Mindset

• Collaborate with colleagues on the development of curriculum and in the practice of instructional strategies.
• Leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Student Formation Team in support of students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Pursue growth in relevant technology skills.
• Network with peers at other local and national independent and Episcopal schools.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth, including the ability to meaningfully receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to one’s professional growth. Maintain membership in arts-affiliated organizations.
• Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with art curriculum, instructional strategies, culturally responsive instruction, and social and emotional learning.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in art education or fine arts required; an advanced degree preferred.
• Two-to-four years of experience teaching art, preferably in a school environment with pre- and early-adolescent students.
• Knowledge/competence in developing visual art skills in young artists is required.
• Knowledge of and experience with multicultural art forms from around the world.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver lessons in hybrid/blended and online learning environments.
• Must meet minimum technology proficiency standards, including the ability to work in online Student Information and Learning Management Systems, to schedule and conduct classes via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and to use the Microsoft 365 suite.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time, including weeknights and weekends when required.
• Ability to work with children and adults in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to work in on-campus, home, day trip, and overnight trip settings.

In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and/or any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, and financial-aid policies, and other school-administered programs.

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