Visual Arts Teacher, Department Chair

Portledge School•Locust Valley, NY

4d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Portledge School seeks to hire a dynamic, highly skilled Visual Arts educator who is driven to create a classroom environment where student learning is a non-negotiable goal and passion is evident on a daily basis. In addition to acting as the the Middle and Upper School Visual Arts Department Chair, responsibilities include teaching 5 sections of Visual Arts, including an IB Visual Arts class, participating collegially in meetings and initiatives of the Art Department and the Upper School division and taking an active role in the life of the school community. As Department Chair, this position will report directly to the Middle and Upper School Division Heads. Our faculty work in a warm, collaborative environment... Delivering consistent high-quality instruction, mentoring and teaching to students Participating in collaborative planning and ongoing professional development and a professional learning community Staying current with educational research and pedagogy related to classroom instruction and educational trends Maintaining online Atlas curriculum database for courses taught Attending a minimum of 4-6 evening/weekend programs that support the community throughout the year They are... Lifelong, intellectual learners who have a passion for teaching and mentoring children Interested in and committed to teaching subject matter from multiple cultural perspectives Clear about instructional goals and explicit with students about what is expected of them and why Knowledgeable about content and versed in multiple Visual Arts disciplines Willing to teach students metacognitive strategies Prepared to offer effective feedback Excited about and responsible for student outcomes

Requirements

BA Degree minimum; advanced degree preferred in relevant area(s)
Teaching certification preferred
Experience with the International Baccalaureate Program
Training/familiarity with inter-disciplinary or project-based learning
Superb written and oral communication as well as organizational and time management skills
Belief in the value of all types of diversity, equity and an inclusive, positive, and student-centered environment
A commitment to the qualities embodied by the Portledge pillars: Kindness, Purpose, Honor, Respect
Desire to nurture the whole child and to support students by attending all-school events such as art, music, theater, athletics and community functions
Committed to teaching and nurturing social emotional learning of children
Commitment to excellence and to professional and personal growth
Knowledge of Google suite and Blackbaud
Ability to develop trusting, supportive relationships with students

Responsibilities

Act as a first line leader between faculty and administration by acting as a communications liaison, curriculum leader, pedagogy leader, collaboration facilitator, learning accountability leader, departmental advocate and institutional supporter, and departmental decision maker
Represent their respective department to the administration and strives to maintain the Four Pillars of Portledge within their department
Coordinate field trips and off-campus learning opportunities and activities with department members, liaising with administration and other agencies as needed
Collaborate with the Communications Department, by drafting and approving external communications on behalf of the department
Manage coverage for Department members who take PTO or are forced to miss class for some reason
Develop, implement, and evaluate the curriculum of the department in Grades 6-12 and where appropriate, the curriculum in the Lower School, to ensure vertical continuity and appropriateness of content, skills, and assessment for students of all backgrounds, ability levels, and learning styles. Encourage interdisciplinary connections
Serve as a member of the Department Chairs Committee and attend regular meetings of Department Chairs
Develop Course Outcomes/Goals for each class with Department members, and include them in Course Descriptions Guides
Act as Pedagogy leader by guiding conversations about teaching and learning in their respective department to ensure that rigor and innovation are being pursued
Act as Collaboration facilitator by communicating with families as needed on behalf of department members, managing the department budget, and organize department meetings
Act a learning and accountability leader by providing a first line of accountability for teachers in the department and promoting professional development opportunities that are division/department specific and/or in alignment with school-wide goals
Act as Departmental advocate and institutional supporter by serving as an advocate for their department while at the same time supporting the wider mission of the school and working with Admission for Open Houses and student placements
Act as Departmental decision maker