VISUAL & MEDIA ARTS TEACHER (PART-TIME)

Davis Chicago•Chicago, IL

9d•$13,000 - $18,000•Onsite

About The Position

Davis School Chicago is seeking a part-time Visual & Media Arts Teacher to build and lead visual and media arts programs at the school, which opens in fall 2027. This role involves teaching foundational courses in areas such as portfolio development, digital design, photography, and film/television production, with potential to teach advanced courses up to AP levels. The teacher will be responsible for developing students' technical skills, visual thinking, production craft, and critique habits, while also fostering critical media literacy. As a founding faculty member, the teacher will contribute to curriculum development, school culture, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate is a working artist-teacher who is passionate about visual arts education, believes in building discipline and vision in teenagers, and is excited to establish a new arts program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or MFA preferred in Studio Art, Visual Arts, Art Education, Film, Photography, Design, or Media Arts.
Active studio, production, or design practice preferred; your work should show up in your teaching.
Demonstrated ability to teach across at least two of studio art, photography, digital design, and film or video production.
Illinois Professional Educator License in visual arts preferred; National Board Certification a major plus.
Evidence of student portfolios that grew under your coaching.
Technique and critique taught as disciplines, in every medium.
Ability to build bodies of work colleges notice.
Ability to teach students who read media as well as they make it.
Ability to make visual and media arts visible in the life of the school.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or MFA preferred in Studio Art, Visual Arts, Art Education, Film, Photography, Design, or Media Arts.
Active studio, production, or design practice preferred.
Illinois Professional Educator License in visual arts preferred.
National Board Certification a major plus.
3+ years of teaching experience preferred.
College-preparatory, independent, Jewish day or faith-based school experience is a plus.
Exceptional craft and mastery.
Ability to teach across the arts in addition to visual and media arts (for full-time Arts Department Chair role).

Responsibilities

Teach sections of Portfolio Foundation, Digital Design Foundation, Digital Photography Foundation, and Film & Television Production Foundation as assigned.
Design and implement engaging, standards-based studio instruction that builds technique, visual thinking, and the habits of sustained investigation across traditional and digital media.
Teach in the spirit of the accomplished-practice standards for art teaching (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards): the substantive study of art making, art history, art criticism, aesthetics, functional design, and the images of popular visual culture.
Teach production craft where the medium calls for it: story, camera, sound, editing, photography, and design.
Build a studio culture of technique, critique, and courageous making, and establish the studio spaces, equipment care, materials, and exhibition and publishing systems a durable program needs.
Build critical media literacy alongside making, so students read media as well as they create it.
Promote inquiry-based learning, studio practice, rehearsal and performance, critique, and project-based experiences, including immersive and experiential approaches where they deepen mastery.
Build toward the Advanced Placement frameworks that anchor the visual arts sequence — AP Drawing and AP 2D Design — and teach so that students meet or exceed them.
Champion portfolio-worthy student work — original artwork, photographs, films, and design work — and help students build portfolios and reels, opening pathways toward collegiate and professional arts and media opportunities.
Differentiate instruction to support diverse learners and learning styles.
Utilize educational technology and innovative teaching methodologies to enhance student engagement and achievement.
Assess student progress through a variety of formative and summative measures and provide timely, meaningful feedback.
Develop authentic assessments that measure student growth and mastery.
Collaborate in the development of a vertically aligned visual and media arts curriculum, from the Foundation courses through the Honors levels to AP Drawing and AP 2D Design.
Foster a classroom environment characterized by curiosity, respect, inclusion, and intellectual challenge.
Build strong relationships with students and serve as a trusted mentor and advisor.
Support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.
Encourage student leadership, confidence, and active participation in school life.
Contribute actively to the vibrant culture and mission of Davis School Chicago.
Partner with colleagues to support school-wide programming, celebrations, and community initiatives.
Help create opportunities for students to engage with the visual and media arts beyond the classroom, from Chicago’s museums, galleries, and studios to juried shows and festivals.
Serve as an ambassador for arts education within the school and broader community.
Showcase student achievement through exhibitions, screenings, competitions, and public events.
Curate student exhibitions and screenings, from the first show on a brand-new school’s walls onward.
Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and community events as scoped for a part-time role.
Help moderate student clubs and activities where scope allows.
Communicate regularly and effectively with families regarding student progress, learning goals, and exhibitions and showcases.
Collaborate with colleagues across academic departments to develop interdisciplinary learning experiences.
Partner with faculty and school leadership to advance school goals, curriculum development, and student success initiatives.