Art Teacher

AREA COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES • North Haven, CT

2d • $54,987 - $80,015 • Onsite

About The Position

ACES Mill Road School is seeking a creative, compassionate, and innovative Art Teacher to join our team. Mill Road School is a K–8 special education school that serves students with diverse learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. The Art Teacher will develop and deliver engaging, student-centered art instruction that inspires creativity, self-expression, confidence, and problem-solving. Through meaningful artistic experiences, students will have opportunities to communicate ideas, express themselves creatively, celebrate their strengths, and build important social-emotional skills in a welcoming and inclusive classroom. The successful candidate will create a positive learning environment that honors each student's unique abilities and interests while adapting instruction to meet individual learning needs. The Art Teacher will collaborate closely with classroom teachers, behavior team, social workers, related service providers, and families to ensure that art experiences complement each student's academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. We are seeking an educator who believes in the potential of every student and understands the power of relationships, creativity, and high expectations. The ideal candidate embraces restorative practices, trauma-informed teaching, and positive behavior supports while fostering a classroom culture built on respect, belonging, and student voice. Flexibility, collaboration, and a genuine passion for helping students discover their talents through the arts are essential. At ACES Mill Road School, we believe every student deserves opportunities to succeed, express themselves authentically, and experience the joy of learning. Through the visual arts, our students are encouraged to take creative risks, build confidence, strengthen connections with others, and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Requirements

• Valid Connecticut teaching certification with Art, PreK–12 (042) endorsement or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Art Education or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to create engaging, differentiated, and student-centered learning experiences.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with multidisciplinary teams, students, and families.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all students.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Art Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, or a related field and/or experience integrating therapeutic art practices into educational settings.
• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging, student-centered art instruction that inspires creativity, self-expression, confidence, and problem-solving.
• Create a positive learning environment that honors each student's unique abilities and interests while adapting instruction to meet individual learning needs.
• Collaborate closely with classroom teachers, behavior team, social workers, related service providers, and families to ensure that art experiences complement each student's academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth.
• Foster a classroom culture built on respect, belonging, and student voice.
• Encourage students to take creative risks, build confidence, strengthen connections with others, and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level