The Waverly School seeks a full-time elementary school visual arts instructor (Preschool-6th grade) for the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year. The art instructor will be responsible for instructing students in drawing and painting and developing in each student an interest in the ability for creative expression in visual terms, using skills and techniques of artistic expression, and to develop aesthetic understandings and appreciations in the field of art. In addition, they will be able to organize their own field trips and support students in getting involved in the local artistic community. This position will require regular dialogue with the elementary school head to coordinate the program and align with work started in the first semester.

Waverly is highly collaborative and the mission focuses on social justice education and progressive pedagogy. The successful candidate has an understanding of how these relate to arts instruction and can design a program that supports these twin aims. We have a highly collaborative school and there is an expectation to work closely with classroom teachers and other specialists. Teachers are expected to teach a diverse range of learners and people and have the ability to support students throughout the year.

The candidate must also have a commitment to building a mission aligned, diverse and inclusive community, reflective of the socio-economic, racial, ethnic, varied family structure, and gender diversity of the greater Los Angeles area. While not required, the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, Chinese, Armenian, French, Hindi, Urdu and/or Korean will be particularly useful in this diverse region of California.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan and design curriculum through thematic approach that aligns with Waverly’s scope and sequence and as aligned with the school mission and philosophy.
• Help foster a love of arts and artistic expression
• Knowledge and skills in art, including drawing, painting, lettering, and art history.
• Provide individual and small-group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying intellectual and artistic abilities, and to accommodate a variety of instructional activities
• Demonstrate techniques in activities such as drawing and painting
• Ability to teach fundamental art skills to students who are not artists and help them develop skills and interest in artistic expression in grades PS-6.
• Development of on-campus gallery spaces in collaboration with the middle and high school art teacher and Elementary School Division Head.
• The ability to promote student art work in the community and beyond
• Use teaching strategies that include small and large group instruction, hands-on experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, integrated learning.
• Use Responsive Classroom or Culturally Responsive Teaching pedagogy and techniques to set-up, run and develop a consistent, caring classroom environment.
  each and maintain proficiency in subject specific programs used by the school.
• Provide supervision of students outside the classroom in collaboration with classroom teachers – i.e. lunch periods, dismissal, walking to and from other campuses, including Farm.
• Collaboration with grade-level/grade-proximal teachers,specialists and other members of the art department, and learning support educators.
• Collaborate with and support the classroom teachers…
• Use formative and summative assessment tools to meet student’s learning needs.
  Monitor and document student progress throughout the year and evaluate learning development.
• Instruct students in proper care and use of tools and equipment
• Organize storage areas and control use of materials, equipment and tools to prevent loss or abuse, and to minimize time required for distribution and collection
• Build and maintain positive relationship with parents.
• Have regular communication with parents-via email and newsletters.
• Write and edit semester reports that include radials/checklists and narrative writing and submit on-time.
• Chaperone field trips (3rd through 6th may have overnight trips), outdoor education trips, or other experiential learning opportunities
• Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings (after school) and occasional workshops, in-service opportunities, and other training seminars.
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the employee and faculty handbooks.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Division Head or Head of School.

Requirements:

• 2-3  years of elementary school arts instruction
• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts
• Work with students to develop skills around critique, the development of artist statement and project visioning
• Highly developed personal art skills that can serve as a guide for students
• Positive attitude, excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to design a culturally responsive curriculum that attends to the needs of diverse learners.
• Experience in the development of an arts program and curriculum

Desired Traits:

• Experience in a progressive educational setting
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Armenian, Hindi and/or Tagalog
• Knowledge of greater Los Angeles artistic community

Job Type: Hourly, non-exempt
Typical hours per week: 40, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, M-F
Hourly wage: $25.00

School Contact: Interested candidates should submit their letter of interest and resume to Vella Cagle, Director of Human Resources: vella@thewaverlyschool.org

School Information: The Waverly School is a progressive, coeducational, college preparatory school in Pasadena, CA, serving students and their families from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1993, Waverly fosters lifelong learning in a child-centered and intellectually challenging environment. With nearly 350 students, Waverly offers an exceptional faculty, thoughtful programs, and expressive students within three adjacent campuses. Its one-acre farm is within walking distance. Waverly is economically diverse and culturally rich; our families live in many Los Angeles area neighborhoods.

The Waverly School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of  A Better Chance, The Alliance, Private School Village, and SoCal POCIS. The school is within walking distance from the Metro L (Gold) Line Del Mar station.

The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.