Drama Teacher

Marion School District•Marion, AR

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Elementary Drama Teacher is responsible for developing and delivering a dynamic, engaging theater arts program for students in grades Kindergarten through 6th. This role fosters creativity, confidence, collaboration, and communication skills through age-appropriate drama instruction, performance opportunities, and integration with the broader school community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Theater, Drama Education, Elementary Education, or related field (required)
Valid teaching license with drama/theatre certification or endorsement (required)
Experience working with elementary-aged children
Strong classroom management and communication skills
Passion for the arts and developing young learners
Ability to foster a nurturing classroom environment that respects all students and encourages them to do their best.
Required to respect the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues, contributors, and other school operations.
Required to be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in school activities.
Ability to multi-task and act independently; exercise sound judgment.
Must be committed to building a diverse community.
Confidentiality: Required to respect the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues, contributors, and other school operations, as per FERPA regulations and policies.
Language: Must have superior expressive and receptive English language skills, to be able to communicate with and be understood by students, co-workers and parents, receive their responses and respond to them appropriately.
Sensory: Must have the ability to track and observe students in a 360-degree classroom, gym or cafeteria environment to ensure compliance and safety.
Must be able to visually or otherwise access written and printed content, and respond verbally and in writing.
Must have the ability to understand and respond to the verbal expressions of others, often in a noisy environment with multiple speakers and background noise, or outside.
Movement: Must have the ability to move around inside on hard surface and industrial carpeted surfaces, and to travel at a brisk, walking pace relatively long inside distances, without needing to stop or rest.
(If applicable: Must be able to perform sustained CPR with the subject on the floor.)
Attendance: Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year.
Cognitive: Must be able to conform behavior to that which is socially accepted as being appropriate to an adult and positive role model who is working with young and impressionable children.
Must have content mastery of subject area as well as employing pedagogical best practices.
Must have knowledge and compliance with relevant state and federal laws governing education.
Must have good executive functioning skills sufficient to ensure timely and accurate compliance with detailed federal, state and local record keeping requirements.
Must be able to convert complex state and district content standards into successful and functional lessons that are differentiated and appropriate for the ages and skill levels of the assigned students.
Must be able to present this material to students and determine, in the moment, based on verbal and non-verbal cues of students, whether or not the expressive language used by the teacher has been received and is being processed appropriately by students.

Nice To Haves

Experience directing children’s theater productions
Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate instructional strategies
Ability to integrate arts across the curriculum
Basic knowledge of stagecraft (lighting, sound, set design—age-appropriate level)

Responsibilities

Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate drama lessons for K–6 students
Teach foundational theater skills including voice, movement, expression, storytelling, and improvisation
Introduce students to basic elements of theater such as character, plot, setting, and stage presence
Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs and abilities
Integrate drama with literacy, social studies, and other content areas when appropriate
Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment
Build student confidence, creativity, and teamwork through performance-based activities
Encourage student participation and risk-taking in a positive, structured setting
Support social-emotional development through role play and collaborative experiences
Direct and produce grade-level or school-wide performances (e.g., plays, showcases, assemblies)
Coordinate auditions, rehearsals, staging, and basic technical elements
Collaborate with staff for events, programs, and special performances
Involve students in age-appropriate aspects of production (props, costumes, simple staging)
Work collaboratively with classroom teachers, specialists, and administration
Communicate effectively with families regarding performances and student progress
Participate in school events, staff meetings, and professional development
Maintain an organized, engaging, and safe learning environment
Manage materials, props, and costumes effectively
Establish clear expectations and routines for behavior and participation