Stop Motion Animation Lead Instructor - CAP Elementary Programs (Santa Clarita)

A CAP Lead Instructor works with up to 2 CalArts Assistant Instructors (CAIs) to teach a 6-10 week in-school residency of a specific artform assigned to a specific grade level for youth participants (Grades TK – 6) at CAP partner sites in Santa Clarita, CA. CAP Lead Instructors are responsible for creating and implementing lesson plans for the entirety of their residency. This position is highly collaborative and requires working closely with students, teachers, and staff at our partner sites, CalArts staff, and other CAP instructors. CAP Lead Instructors report to the CAP Program Manager, James Waterman.

Leads are assigned to teach multiple grade level-specific classes per day at our Elementary partner sites, for up to 5 hours of teaching per day. CAP Lead Instructors may be assigned to teach multiple days a week, and/or at multiple CAP partner school sites, depending on their availability and grade level and artform assignment. Additional hours will be logged each week during the residency including trainings, prep time, administrative time, and meetings. CAP residencies take place in three programming blocks throughout the academic year, Block A (September/October – December), Block B (January – March/April), and Block C (April – June) Classes do not meet on Holidays, Winter Break, or Spring Break (determined by our partner districts’ school calendars). For specific residencies, a family engagement or culminating event may be scheduled during or outside of the residency dates. The CAP Lead Instructor is responsible for working with the CAP Program Manager to plan and implement these culminating activities.

Santa Clarita CAP Elementary sites with open positions are:

• Oak Hills Elementary School (Newhall School District)

OPEN POSITIONS

Grade 3 Stop Motion Animation (Block C April – June)

The CAP Animation Residency is a series of engaging lessons that introduce students to the fundamentals of stop-motion animation on iPad devices, culminating in a Family Visit Day showcase. Students explore diverse animation techniques, including claymation, found object animation, and paper puppetry. Lessons emphasize creativity, teamwork, and technical skills such as precise movements and sequencing to bring characters and objects to life. Students learn key concepts like frame rate, timing, and storytelling while using accessible materials like Play-Doh, magazine cutouts, and paper puppets. The program fosters individual expression, cultural inclusivity, and collaborative learning, providing students with hands-on experience in animation production and a platform to share their creations with their families and peers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Developing engaging and innovative lesson plans appropriate for elementary school students in alignment with the required CAP Lesson Plan Template  


• Teaching weekly lessons with partner teachers and CAIs for the entirety of the residency.


• Serving as a mentor to CAIs by involving them in the design and implementation of the CAP residency, including creating opportunities for them to facilitate lessons over the course of the residency.


• Attending scheduled trainings with other CAP Leads and CAI’s before the start of the CAP program and throughout the course of the year. 


• Attending required meetings with the CAP Program Manager, including mid-year check-in’s and teaching observations.


• Attending site-visits of assigned partner sites before the first day of the residency with CAP Program Manager. 


• Managing all administrative aspects of the CAP class including:   
  
  
  
  • Submitting class syllabi and lesson plans for review by Program Manager with a minimum of two weeks advance notice
  
  
  • Participating in CAP’s program evaluation processes 
  
  
  • Completing all incident report forms 
  
  
  
  


• Working in collaboration with the CAP Program Manager to plan, coordinate and administrate the CAP residency, including the maintenance and storage of supplies and equipment, installation and maintenance of software, and events.


• Working with the CAP Program Manager to coordinate and plan possible culmination events for the residency, including submitting all materials needed for the event well in advance. Representing the CAP class to the public by attending and facilitating any culmination events.


• Building relationships of mutual trust and respect, and working collaboratively with the youth participants, with partnering teachers, with the CAIs, and with CAP partner staff. Facilitating conflict resolution if disagreements arise within the classroom.


• Logging hours worked in PayCom every two weeks and submitting timesheets on time.


• Responding to emails and phone calls from CAP team members and CAP staff within 36 hours of receipt.


• Create a safe learning environment that encourages student participation, artistic risk-taking, and creativity


• Implement positive classroom management strategies including routines and community agreements/rules. 


• Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment.


• Behaving and appearing in a professional manner when on site at CAP partnering schools.
  

EDUCATION

• Minimum requirement: BA or BFA in an arts discipline.  


• MA or MFA preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills


• Computer skills with knowledge of Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Meets, and Zoom


• Exceptional ability to work well with and effectively relate to K-12 students, university students, and other novice learners 


• Ability to assess students' progress and skill levels objectively

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus
  
  

EXPERIENCE

Candidates should have demonstrated experience in an art discipline (Bachelor's degree, MFA or related training preferred) and a minimum of 3 years experience teaching at the collegiate and/or K-12 level.  The candidate should have a working knowledge of current California state educational standards, best practices in teaching, and federal and state regulations on child protection and welfare. The candidate should be comfortable collaborating and interacting in a professional, diplomatic and clear manner with others, including students, faculty, other lead instructors, staff, community partners, school administration and teachers. Strong oral and written communication skills, and an ability to work as part of a team are necessary. Candidates must also be committed to ongoing professional development as an arts educator. Ability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends as needed. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Exposure to toner, white out, cleaning fluids, office equipment, noise, talking, air conditioning and heating. Exposure to art materials such as paint, ink, charcoal, clay, etc.


• Prolonged periods of sitting 


• Prolonged periods of standing and walking


• Reaching above or below shoulder level for equipment, files, or materials


• Using computers


• Pushing/pulling open and closed doors, cabinets and drawers


• Kneeling, stooping and/or crouching to reach files or materials

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The actual essential duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary by department, reporting structure or other business needs. No inference should be drawn that a specific job duty, responsibility or qualification is non-essential by its absence from this description.  This does not constitute a contract for employment CalArts management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.