Middle & Upper School Visual Arts Teacher (Grades 4 - 8) - Aug. 2025 Start

Description

Derby Academy, a Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 coeducational day school with 350 students located in Hingham, Massachusetts. Rooted in the school’s motto, “Improve Both Mind and Heart,” Derby provides students with a joyful and rigorous academic environment in which the arts are woven throughout. Derby deeply values the role of the arts in educating the whole child. A rich array of visual arts, music, dance, theater, and applied arts inspire every child at every stage of a Derby education. Our students learn to cultivate ideas, build confidence through mastery, develop self-expression, and present their work to the greater community.

Derby seeks a full-time Middle & Upper School Visual Arts Teacher to begin August 19, 2024. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in visual art education, as well as a demonstrated ability to inspire upper elementary and middle school students. The Art Teacher will design and teach all Grade 4 - Grade 8 visual art classes, including core visual arts courses for students Grades 4-6 and a wide variety of visual arts electives for students in Grades 7 & 8. The Art Teacher will also assist with major school initiatives related to the Arts Program. The Art Teacher is expected to collaborate with colleagues at various grade levels and within the department effectively. An ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience teaching in a middle childhood setting, as well as a strong visual arts background. A collaborative spirit and a growth mindset are essential for success in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in arts education, excellent written and verbal communication skills, commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, ongoing engagement in professional development, and a deep understanding of arts education and middle childhood required. At least three years of previous teaching experience and Massachusetts teacher certification are preferred, but not required, for consideration.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• a strong professional background in visual arts;
• experience working with upper elementary and middle school students and deep understanding of middle childhood development;
• enthusiasm, flexibility, and a desire to collaborate with colleagues both in the department and across disciplines;
• desire to develop innovative visual arts curriculum that focuses on authentic, real-world application of learning;
• the ability to create activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, innovation, problem-solving, and the use of technology;
• success in creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment in which students can learn and interact positively with one another through student-centered instruction, collaboration and authentic assessment;
• experience with and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact they have on the curriculum and the community;
• success in communicating with parents to provide timely and appropriate feedback regarding student progress;
• a growth mindset when it comes to engaging with relevant and mission-driven professional learning to grow their practice.

A competitive salary and benefits package includes generous funding of professional development.

Derby Academy is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, color, veteran status, physical ability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or any other state or federally protected classifications. Derby Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

Derby Academy values inclusivity and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds or who have experience in cultural competency work to apply.