Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and warm Elementary Visual Arts Teacher to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here.

Position: The Needham Public Schools seeks outstanding applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences for the position of .83 Elementary Art Teacher at Mitchell Elementary School.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain a safe and nurturing classroom learning environment so that every student has a positive sense of belonging and self-efficacy.
• Regularly collaborate with visual art department colleagues to develop proficiency based curriculum, lessons and and materials; and to design special learning experiences to inspire a love of art.
• Develop and implement a visual art curriculum consistent 2019 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework and the National Core Arts Framework.
• Develop and implement rigorous and relevant lesson plans, activities, and learning experiences.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student learning and progress.
• Reflect regularly and make adjustments to practice to proactively respond to individual student's needs.
• Provides instruction by which pupils develop aesthetic concepts and appreciation and the ability to make qualitative judgments about art, art appreciation and what constitutes art.
• Ability to demonstrate visual art techniques in a variety of mediums such as drawing, painting, and modeling.
• Instructs pupils in proper care and use of tools and equipment used in art classes.
• Plans and presents art displays and exhibitions designed to exhibit pupils' work for the school and the community. May sponsor exhibits from outside.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
• Organize and maintain a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement, and attendance, as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourage parental involvement in students' education and ensure effective communication with students and parents.
• Ensure that student conduct conforms with the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Coordinate with other professional staff members, especially within department level team(s), and participate in common planning time, department meetings, and faculty meetings.
• Selects and requisitions appropriate books, art materials, instructional aids and other supplies and equipment and maintains inventory records.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director of Fine and Performing Art, Principal, and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.
• The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to inspire a love of art in students.
• Ability to foster students' growth mindset as artists and make connections to the Portrait of A Needham Graduate.
• Knowledge of current, proficiency-based teaching methods and educational pedagogy.
• Advanced knowledge of visual art technique and ability to demonstrate in a variety of mediums.
• Knowledge of and experience in teaching arts integration. 
• Knowledge and application of Responsive Classroom. 
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis, and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to use computer network systems and software applications as needed (ie: Google Docs, Google Classroom, etc).
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work. 

Qualifications:

• MA State Certification as a Visual Art Teacher.
• Bachelor's from an accredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teaching assignment.
• Master's Degree in related area preferred.
• Successful prior visual art teaching experience a plus. Previous experience teaching arts integration also a plus.

Application and Selection Procedure:

• Please apply online. Applications will be considered only when a cover letter, resume, license, and transcripts have been attached to your online application and either letter of recommendation and/or reference surveys are complete.
• All resumes will be screened and selected candidates will participate in a thorough interview process.

Compensation and Benefits: 

Please review the Unit A Contract and this page to learn more about employee compensation and benefits.

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.