Art Teacher | Founding Years Middle School | ECPA

Elevate Charter Schools•New Haven, CT

4d•$50,500 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is seeking an experienced, imaginative, and mission-aligned Art Teacher to build and lead its inaugural visual arts program for grades 5–7. As Connecticut’s first all-boys public charter school, ECPA is in its founding years and is committed to building strong routines, meaningful relationships, and a school culture specifically designed for boys. The Art Teacher will play a crucial role in shaping the school's traditions, systems, and learning experiences, establishing a visual arts program that provides students with a powerful space for creativity, confidence, and self-expression. This role is ideal for an educator who is reflective, resourceful, and energized by the creative possibilities of a founding school, passionate about supporting and developing young men, and excited to shape a program that will influence hundreds of students as ECPA grows.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher
Valid teaching certification in Art Education or Elementary Education with arts endorsement (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)
At least 2–3 years of teaching experience with a strong track record of student engagement and growth
Ability to create a classroom environment in which students feel safe, supported, and inspired to explore creatively
Strong sense of reflection and personal accountability for student growth, achievement, and experience
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy
Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and BTWA, including a resolute belief in the potential of every student

Nice To Haves

3+ years of teaching experience with a proven track record of student achievement
Experience in an urban, high-expectations, and/or charter school setting
Familiarity with elementary visual arts curricula, interdisciplinary planning, and arts integration strategies
Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including ELs and students with IEPs
Familiarity with project‑based learning, inquiry‑driven instruction, or blended learning models
Experience organizing student exhibitions, performances, or community arts initiatives
Experience leveraging the arts to support early literacy, numeracy, and other forms of developmentally relevant and appropriate interdisciplinary learning.

Responsibilities

Deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction in visual arts that nurtures creativity, technique, and self-expression in middle school boys.
Build a joyful, inclusive classroom culture where young men feel safe to explore, take creative risks, and develop a strong sense of artistic identity.
Design the foundational curriculum, routines, and structures for a high-quality arts program — selecting materials, shaping scope and sequence, and establishing traditions that will grow with the school.
Collaborate with colleagues to integrate art across disciplines and contribute to a vibrant, values-driven school culture during these critical founding years.
Partner with families and the community to showcase student work, celebrate growth, and make the arts a visible, celebrated part of ECPA’s identity.
Design and deliver engaging, standards-aligned visual arts lessons that introduce students to foundational techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and mixed media.
Foster creative exploration and artistic risk-taking while building technical skills, visual literacy, and appreciation for diverse artistic traditions.
Differentiate instruction to support varied developmental levels and learning needs, including English Learners and students with IEPs, ensuring all students can access and express themselves through art.
Use portfolios, rubrics, and student reflections to assess artistic growth and encourage self-evaluation and pride in creative work.
Integrate culturally responsive materials and practices that affirm student identities, celebrate global art forms, and teach through an explicitly anti-racist lens.
Collaborate with classroom teachers to support interdisciplinary learning and integrate visual arts into core academic subjects (e.g., illustrating narratives, designing math models, exploring scientific diagrams).
Create a joyful, inclusive, and organized studio environment where students feel safe to explore, express, and take creative risks.
Build strong relationships with students that foster trust, motivation, and a sense of belonging in the art room.
Incorporate social-emotional learning into artistic practice, helping students develop empathy, perseverance, and confidence through creative expression.
Reinforce BTWA’s values of character, responsibility, and excellence through collaborative projects, critique routines, and classroom norms.
Partner proactively with families through regular communication and collaborative goal-setting to support student creativity and growth.
Organize and lead school-wide arts events, exhibitions, and showcases that celebrate student work and build community pride.
Collaborate with families to support artistic exploration at home and strengthen the home-school connection.
Participate actively in weekly professional learning communities, coaching cycles, and peer observations to continuously refine practice.
Collaborate with grade-level teams and specialists to align curriculum, share best practices, and support interdisciplinary projects.
Contribute to a positive, high-performing adult culture that values feedback, reflection, and collective responsibility for student achievement.
Lead enrichment opportunities such as art clubs, mural projects, or community exhibitions that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Support and facilitate common school routines, including arrival and dismissal, lunch and recess duties, and transitions, ensuring safety, consistency, and a positive school culture.
Lead a homeroom or advisory setting that fosters authentic relationships, builds community, and supports students’ social-emotional learning and development.
Help design and implement school-wide systems, rituals, and traditions — including opportunities for student performance, exhibitions, and public demonstrations of learning — that build a strong, affirming school identity.
Take initiative on school-wide projects and lead efforts to elevate the role of enrichment in ECPA's holistic educational model, demonstrating flexibility, innovation, and ownership in a dynamic school environment while modeling professionalism, adaptability, and a growth mindset.