Job Title: Art Teacher

Location: The Academy of Arts & Knowledge

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Principal

Work Hours/Days: Full Time

Wage: Starting at $43,000 based on experience

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K

Job Title: Elementary Art Teacher

We are seeking a dynamic, visionary, and student-centered Elementary Art Teacher who believes that visual art is a powerful catalyst for connection, expression, and cognitive development. This role is designed for an educator who thinks outside the box, thrives in a high-energy environment, and is excited to build a comprehensive fine arts program that spans traditional mediums and modern creative exploration.

Our ideal candidate doesn't just teach "art class"-they use color, texture, and visual storytelling to deepen student engagement, support academic concepts, and foster a joyful, inclusive studio culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Curriculum & Instruction: Design and deliver an engaging K–5 visual arts program grounded in arts integration and STEAM principles.
• Skill Development: Provide technical instruction across diverse mediums, including:
• Drawing, painting, and printmaking.
• 3D exploration (ceramics, sculpture, and fiber arts).
• Digital media and visual literacy.
• Academic Integration: Collaborate with classroom teachers to weave art into core subjects like literacy, math, and history (e.g., using geometry in pattern-making or historical analysis through art movements).
• Exhibition Leadership: Curate and lead school-wide art exhibitions, community galleries, and collaborative mural projects.
• Inclusive Pedagogy: Use non-traditional instructional approaches to reach diverse learners and differentiate projects to meet varying skill levels.
• Studio Management: Maintain an organized, safe, and inspiring studio environment, managing kiln firing, supply inventory, and specialized equipment.

Preferred Instructional Approach

We are looking for a teacher who views the art room as a "laboratory of ideas." You should be someone who:

• Thinks beyond "crafts" to focus on conceptual thinking and self-expression.
• Uses visual journaling and critique to support student voice and reflection.
• Connects art history to contemporary culture and real-world global issues.
• Encourages bold experimentation, improvisation, and "beautiful mistakes."

Qualifications

• Licensure: Valid teaching license in K–12 Visual Arts (or ability to obtain).
• Experience: Proven success working with elementary-aged students and a strong portfolio of student-led work.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in various art forms, specifically kiln operation and diverse 2D/3D techniques.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional classroom management rooted in relationship-building and positive reinforcement.
• Innovation: A track record of designing innovative, cross-curricular lessons that engage 21st-century learners.

What We Offer

• A supportive, collaborative school culture that truly values the arts as a core pillar of education.
• The creative freedom to innovate and build a unique, signature art program.
• A dedicated studio space equipped for both traditional and modern mediums.
• A community of students eager to explore the world through color and form.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and move throughout the studio; use hands for fine manipulation (brushwork, carving, clay work), handle materials, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch (to assist students at desk level). The employee must occasionally lift or move art supplies or equipment. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to distinguish colors.

The work environment is a vibrant school setting. The noise level is usually moderate, reflecting an active, collaborative studio atmosphere.