Position opening: Lower School and Middle School Visual Art Teacher (K-7th grade)
Type: Full-time faculty
Application deadline: Open until filled
Start date: Aug. 6, 2024, for orientation and opening week
Maumee Valley Country Day School seeks a dynamic, self-motivated individual to lead our Kindergarten through 7th Grade Visual Art program. An ideal candidate has experience creating a curriculum that is engaging and developmentally appropriate. The successful candidate possesses a true passion for developing a love of art in students, teaching artistic behaviors, and understanding artistic development from early elementary learners all the way to middle school artists. Ultimately, the goal is to set up each age group for artistic success. This individual is a key team member of the Fine Arts Department and coordinates art events and gallery shows and proactively seeks different venues both within and outside of our community to showcase the talents of our youngest learners.
A strong foundation in art history and experience working in a variety of media are paramount to the success of this candidate. The individual will be responsible for teaching drawing, painting, and 3-dimensional studio arts and will collaborate in planning, curating, and hanging the schools art gallery. This position reports to the Head of the Lower School and collaborates closely with all of the faculty and staff cross-divisionally. As a full-time employee, the position offers many benefits, including healthcare, dental, vision, life and disability, and a generous retirement benefit.
Art Teacher
We are seeking an energetic, experienced visual art educator who can collaborate with colleagues to develop an interdisciplinary and art historical approach to art education.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Implement instructional activities that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences
• Assist in assessing changing curricular needs and offer plans for improvement
• Maintain effective and efficient record-keeping
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, parents, administrators, and other professionals regularly
• Collaborate with peers to enhance the instructional environment
• Model professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and the community
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and schools
• Assume responsibility for meeting the course and schoolwide student performance goals
• Participate in ongoing professional growth in local and national art education organizations
• Actively engage in personal and professional work in support of the schools diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, and coordinating activities with other teachers
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor
• Meet performance goals established as part of the annual performance-planning process or as the result of organizational planning
• Use a variety of methods and approaches (including differentiation) to match curricular objectives to the range of pupil needs and ensure equal opportunity for all pupils
• Set high expectations for all students to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximize their achievement
• Monitor student activities in classrooms and on the rest of a school's premises to ensure the welfare and safety of all students
• Organize and maintain safe and accessible physical space in the classroom
• Provide drawing, painting, digital imaging, and 3-dimensional studio art instruction
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and national artists groups and organizations
• Assist in curating the Wolfe Gallery
• Mat and hang student artwork throughout the school

Skills and Competencies:

• Understanding of childhood artistic development and current art education theories and practices
• Experienced in multiple 2-D and 3-D artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and mixed media
• Understand how to differentiate an art education classroom for all types of learners.
• Experience in art education curriculum and development that showcases cross-curricular investigation
• Understand art history integration into studio practices for students of all ages.
• Knowledge of current educational technology and technology classroom integration
• Has personal artistic practices and creates their own artwork
• Experience in organizing student art exhibitions
• Innovative, flexible, and collaborative
• Professional
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to develop and build teams
• Work independently with little or no direct supervision
• Strong work ethic
• Effective multitasking and time management skills
• Participate in juried art shows

Credentials:

• Bachelors degree in art education; masters degree in art education preferred
• Ohio Visual Art K-12 certification
• Minimum three years of teaching experience in an elementary or middle school art classroom

Background check:
All Maumee Valley employees and volunteers must agree to a comprehensive background check and confidentiality agreement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, or veteran status, ancestry, or citizenship, in accordance with applicable laws. In addition, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. We value a diverse workforce.
Any employee who believes they have been discriminated against may discuss this with their supervisor or the Head of School.
Our Philosophy of Teaching and Learning
As Maumee Valley Country Day School approaches the 140th anniversary of its founding, it remains the preeminent educational institution in northwest Ohio. It is the only accredited, coeducational, nonreligious, and independent school in the area and attracts families from northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan, and nations worldwide. Enrollment is about 470 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade. We prepare students for global citizenship and admission to prestigious universities. We are known for outstanding academics, high test scores, a beautiful campus, unrivaled opportunities for study abroad, hands-on learning, and personal bonds between students and teachers.
At Maumee Valley, children dream, explore, and cultivate their passions and strengths. Our faculty and staff do the same. We are more than a school and more than a group of people: We are a community of lifelong learners who inspire joy. As the only PreK-12 independent school in northwest Ohio, we support an accomplished and diverse student body within a progressive academic program.
A Maumee Valley education is Personal, Experiential, and Global. A journey of discovery and action defines each childs learning experience. Through an intentionally crafted curriculum, including active lessons and serendipitous explorations, a Maumee Valley education launches children toward the investigation of the world. It helps them find their place in it. With our students at the center of our decision-making, we aspire to seek understanding, grow in our compassion and empathy, and adapt to the ever-changing world our students will one day lead.
Maumee Valley is grounded in our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
We believe in collaboration, innovation, and the power of community.