Middle School Art Teacher

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Rochester Prep currently manages six schools serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. Rochester Prep schools are consistently some of the city's top-performing, and our students have an impressive 85% college acceptance rate.

Job Description

In addition to the duties set forth below, the Employee agrees that s/he will perform all the other duties that are assigned by his/her supervisors, the school’s Principal and the Principal’s designees, and/or the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to:

• Taking all steps required by the School to ensure that the Employee becomes highly qualified and certified which includes holding a bachelor’s degree, full-state certification or licensure and otherwise authorized to teach in a public school in the state of employment (charter rights should be included);
• Being present and engaged from 7:00AM- 5:00PM Monday through Friday each week of the school year;
• Providing appropriate supervision of students during class, breaks, meals and transitions to maintain an optimal work environment and to ensure students’ safety and well-being;
• Attending and participating in events outside of normal school hours as needed (e.g., family nights, student performances, field trips, report card nights, Teacher - Parent Conferences, June and August Family Saturday Orientations, etc.).
• Researches, designs, and/or documents standards and curricula for art for students in grades K-4.
• Ensures a coherent and enriching art experience for students.
• Teaches Art to all students in the school Monday-Thursday each week of the school year.
• Teachers after school enrichment two days per week if included in the school’s programmatic offerings.   
• Designs, supervises, and implements all aspects of the Art program, including coordinating with outside providers and vendors, maintaining records, participating in required trainings and certification processes, etc.
• Assists in the purchase and maintenance of the school’s Art equipment.
• Provides, during summer training, an orientation to all staff on the school’s art program, including transitions, standards, appropriate singing, integration, Friday plays, winter holiday celebration(s), arts as a student motivator, arts as an avenue to increase parent involvement, and collaboration and team projects.
• Assists the Director of Operations/Dean of Students in coordinating the school’s annual winter holiday celebration(s), weekly Community Meetings, and Stepping Up celebration(s).
• If requested, teaching at least 1 section of Reading each Monday-Friday each week of the school year;
• Provides instruction in the schools’ core reading program (Reading Mastery) and in other subjects as needed;
• Works with classroom teachers to ensure the integration of academic instruction into Art instruction, particularly Core Knowledge social studies and science curricula.
• Participates in the collaborative curriculum development process.
• Communicates effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Engages families in their children’s education, including involving families in periodic student Art concerts.
• Participates actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings.
• Meets the school’s “Standards for Excellence in Art Instruction” and “Standards for Excellence in Instruction”
• Consistently demonstrates alignment with the school’s core values and educational philosophy.
• Leads by example on how to hold oneself accountable first for student mastery of academic standards
• Manages the department folder on the school server and ensures that curricular materials are well-organized and easily accessible for both current and future teachers.
• Meets with the Principal to review results and plan future actions.
• Completes all necessary school-wide duties for the successful and orderl