Art Director Jobs in Louisiana

Position Summary

St. George’s is seeking an experienced Middle and Lower School Art Teacher for grades 3 through 8. St. George’s has small class sizes and emphasizes differentiation for our students’ strengths and challenges. We recognize that every child is a unique learner. In alignment with St. George’s mission, this person will lead art classes that are student-centered and student-created, tailoring the content and medium to the variety of age levels he/she is expected to teach. This person will report directly to the Director of Middle School and will also receive feedback and assignments from the Creative Arts Department Chair and Director of Lower School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach Visual Arts classes to students in 3rd through 8th grade
• Develop curriculum content incorporating process art, project approach elements and historical and contemporary artists
• In the course of a school year, ensure students receive exposure to a variety of mediums, including but not limited to painting, drawing, collage, 3D building, clay, fiber arts, etc.
• In alignment with St. George’s mission, all projects should be student-centered and student-created
• Modify curriculum content to make it accessible and relevant to students in every age group, ensuring lessons are developmentally appropriate
• Maintain comprehensive curriculum maps and a shared materials folder, including lesson plans and work samples, to reflect the units being taught.
• Maintain a dynamic and functioning art studio by ensuring detailed organization of materials and student artwork
• A key component of this position includes planning and preparing materials prior to classes, followed by intentional and organized cleanup to maintain shared studio and storage space
• Order materials and maintain an inventory of supplies in partnership with the Creative Arts team under the guidance of the Creative Arts Department Chair, who manages the shared budget
• Facilitate enrichment clusters and teach Talented and Gifted (TAG) classes as needed
• Honor commitments outside school hours, such as but not limited to:
• Curating and attending StG art shows (e.g. StG Arts Week)
• Organizing off-site art installations (e.g. at Celebration in the Oaks or at Louisiana Children’s Museum)
• Maintain diverse and high-quality art displays around the school’s campus
• Collaborate with the Creative Arts team and administration to plan and produce on-campus art shows
• Collaborate with classroom teachers on artistic elements of project approach, providing guidance and expertise
• Complete Lower School progress reports and report cards twice a year for students in grades 3 - 4
• Manage and keep up to date an online gradebook and Google Classroom for grades 5 - 8
• Complete Middle School report cards twice a year for students in grades 5 - 8
• Support division and school-wide activities such as parent/teacher conferences, curriculum nights, House meetings, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Field Day, etc.
• Effectively communicate student progress and needs with parents and teaching teams
• Provide ongoing informal assessments to determine student abilities
• Adhere to a daily schedule and structure classes to maximize opportunities for student learning.
• Manage time to meet deadlines
• Lead students to use their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Guide classroom behavior through respect and a positive, proactive approach
• Collaborate with other teachers to regularly support students’ educational needs
• Attend weekly Creative Arts Department meetings; attend bi-weekly Studio Art meeting with the Early Childhood and Lower School art teacher
• Serve twice-weekly Morning Care or afternoon carpool duties
• Actively participate in the life of the St. George’s community

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art and/or education required; teaching certificate preferred
• At least two years of experience teaching art in an educational setting
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of visual arts curricula and assessments
• Broad knowledge of teaching practices and current trends in education and professional development
• Familiarity with a variety of art processes and materials, including painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts and mixed media, with a specific understanding of process art, a foundational component of our studio art education
• Understanding of process-based art and/or project approach with a student-centered approach to teaching
• Knowledge of operating and maintaining a kiln
• Proficiency with Google Suite and technology-based educational tools
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly through writing, especially regarding art displays
• Ability to work well on a team, showing a willingness to compromise and collaborate
• A desire to respond to and initiate problem-solving through clear and open communication
• Openness to feedback and ability to take risks
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to an evolving program
• Strong interest in pursuing professional development opportunities
• Dedicated to lifelong learning and possessing a growth mindset

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

• Must be physically able to operate computers and office equipment
• Occasional bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling and twisting; constant walking, speaking and listening; occasional sitting on the floor
• Occasional lifting up to 40lbs

About St. George’s Episcopal School

St. George’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent school serving approximately 400 students from Nursery through eighth grade in a family-like atmosphere with a highly trained and dedicated faculty. We grow curious minds into confident learners through expert academic attention and an unmatched sense of belonging. Our version of personalized learning, our nurturing environment and our low student-to-teacher ratios ensure that we challenge and support every child. This is why our graduates develop into lifelong learners and consequently find acceptance and success in the finest high schools in New Orleans.

St. George’s aims to employ a collaborative, creative, joyful and diverse faculty and staff. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by applicable law. We are committed to an inclusive school culture and to recruiting and hiring faculty of diverse backgrounds and experience.