Teaching Artist

Junior Center of Art and Science•Oakland, CA

5d•$25 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

The Junior Center’s mission is to cultivate curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. Located in the heart of Oakland near the shores of Lake Merritt, the Center is dedicated to providing equitable access to our programs for all youth and their families throughout Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. We harness the power of creativity and experiential learning to inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science. We value the necessity of equity and representation in the fields of art and science, and invest in the development of the next generation of creative thinkers and leaders through culturally responsive teaching. Our team of Teaching Artists are an essential part of the Junior Center’s community. Teaching Artists design and deliver arts and sciences curriculum to students from ages 2 - 17 years old through our youth, family, and community programs. We have several part-time Teaching Artist positions currently open, including: After-school Instructors, Workshop Facilitators, and in-school Artist/Makers-in-Residence.

Requirements

Experience designing and implementing developmentally-based curricula.
Teaching experience in a classroom or community setting.
An active art or science practice.
Ability to work well in a collaborative/team setting with peers and colleagues on staff; with children and families; with classroom teachers, educational coordinators and broader school communities.
Experience working with a diversity of student and family populations.
Emotional intelligence: ability to provide compassionate feedback to students and their caregivers
Strong people skills and the ability to work well with children, classroom teachers, families, co-workers, and volunteers
Strong oral and written communication skills; able to communicate clearly and efficiently with a variety of audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills; ability to facilitate group decision-making.
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; strong attention to detail.
A strong desire for continued learning/growth in one’s teaching practice.
must pass a post-employment criminal background check and provide a negative TB test.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and implementing arts, arts-integrated and/or science curricula a plus.
Knowledge of classroom management, common core and/or VAPA/NGSS a plus.
Strong interest in working in a school and/or community setting.
Interest in/ability to engage, inspire and challenge youth through the visual arts and/or sciences.

Responsibilities

Teach classes to youth at the Junior Center site and/or at school and community sites throughout Oakland, West Contra Costa, East Bay
Design and implement course curriculum with specific attention to developing socially relevant projects
If hired, instructors are required to create a curriculum including lesson goals, skills learned, class activities, materials needed, and themes/ ideas explored using the JCAS template.
Maintain a safe, professional and supportive learning environment for all students
Provide guidance and support to students as needed
Arrive prepared and on time for class
Leave storage spaces, studios, and materials clean and tidy after class
Work collaboratively with the Program Director, administrative staff, and fellow instructors to design and implement program content
Actively participate in all educator meetings and ongoing professional development training sessions