Middle School Language Arts and Theatre Teacher (K-8) - Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools!

Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is located in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Chicago and Detroit), serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, we offer a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education.

In 2017, BCPS received an historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and we are continuing our transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career, college, and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school. In May of 2023, we were thrilled to announce an average teacher pay increase of more than $10,000, positioning us as one of the best-paying districts for teachers in Southwest Michigan.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits (including up to $20k in home purchase assistance), and opportunities for professional development. Apply now and join the Bearcat family!


Position Summary:
The Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts seeks a passionate and innovative Middle School Language Arts Teacher to inspire students in grades 6-8 through a dynamic, student-centered, arts-integrated curriculum. The ideal candidate will design engaging lessons that blend core language arts concepts with artistic expression, incorporating theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and media to create interdisciplinary and meaningful learning experiences. This role emphasizes inquiry-based learning, hands-on exploration, and creative self-expression, empowering students to investigate real-world themes while fostering critical thinking, collaboration, cultural awareness, and empathy. Lessons will integrate language arts with math, science, social studies, and technology, using the arts as a powerful vehicle for deeper learning and self-expression. The teacher will incorporate theatre-based practices, such as acting, storytelling, scriptwriting, and theatrical production, to enhance students’ understanding of literature, writing, and communication skills. They will create a flexible, student-centered classroom environment where students engage with academic content through their chosen major and minor arts disciplines, ensuring individual learning needs are met through thoughtful modifications and differentiated instruction. By exposing students to diverse artistic theatrical traditions and perspectives, this educator will cultivate civic responsibility, compassion, and advocacy for positive change, encouraging students to explore societal issues and global perspectives. The teacher will collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, participate in professional development opportunities, and build partnerships with community and arts organizations to deliver cross-disciplinary learning experiences that inspire innovation and empower students to use their talents to address local, national, and global challenges.


*Please note: This position is for the 2025-2026 school year.*


Position Responsibilities:

Instructional Delivery

• Language Arts and Theatre Integration: Deliver language arts instruction that integrates theatre, helping students develop foundational skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. Incorporate theatre techniques—such as role-playing, character analysis, and storytelling—to deepen students’ engagement and comprehension of language arts content. Teach foundational theatre skills, including acting, vocal expression, scriptwriting, and stage production, fostering a well-rounded understanding of language arts concepts through experiential learning.
• Theatre Appreciation and Cultural Context: Guide students in exploring literature and theatrical works that reflect diverse cultural and historical narratives. Encourage understanding of theatre and literature as reflections of societal values and human experience across periods.
• Interdisciplinary Instruction: Design and partner with colleagues in dance, music, visual arts, and media to create interdisciplinary lessons and performances that support language arts objectives in core academic subjects (e.g., social studies: historical themes presented through performance, science, and math: exploring technical theatre elements like lighting, sound, and set design with an understanding of physics and geometry).
• Classroom Culture and Studio Environment: Establish a studio-like environment that supports creativity, collaboration, and social-emotional learning. Foster a safe, inclusive space where students can confidently engage in self-expression, teamwork, and reflective practices.
• Differentiated Instruction: Adapt lessons to meet diverse student needs and skill levels, ensuring all students have equitable access to learning opportunities in language arts and theatre.
• Portfolio Development: Guide students in developing portfolios that document growth in both language arts and theatre. Portfolios will include reflective journaling, writing projects, project documentation, and self-assessment, highlighting students’ achievements and goals.

Performance and Creation

• Production and Performance Techniques: Guide students in creating original scripts, characters, and performances as a way to deepen their language arts skills through self-expression and storytelling. Teach foundational performance techniques, including vocal clarity, projection, and expressive physicality, to help students convey ideas effectively. Use culturally responsive teaching strategies to honor students' diverse backgrounds, allowing them to share unique perspectives and experiences through theatrical interpretation of literary texts.
• Creative Script Writing and Storytelling: Encourage students to explore personal, cultural, and societal narratives by crafting original works from scriptwriting to performance. Help students build compelling characters and storylines to enhance their understanding of narrative structure, conflict, and character motivation—core elements of language arts. Guide them in scriptwriting techniques that bridge creative writing with performance, bringing literary themes to life through both written and spoken word.
• Resource Management for Performance and Creation: As part of the production process, incorporate lessons on organizing resources, such as props and costumes. Teach students practical skills in resource management that mirror organizational techniques in language arts projects, helping them learn planning and responsibility in both theatre and literary presentations. Through these activities, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the preparation needed for successful literary and theatrical expression.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning to refine arts-integrated instruction, DEI principles, student-centered learning, and climate management practices.
• Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices in language arts, theatre, and arts-integrated instruction.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with faculty across arts and academic departments to design integrated curricula that link language arts and theatre with artistic practices and academics.
• Collaborate with Colleagues and Community Partners: Work with other educators and community organizations to provide integrated educational experiences connecting social studies and culture with broader learning goals that support authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences, experiential learning opportunities, and community sustainability.
• Parental Communication and Engagement: Maintain regular communication with parents on student progress and development, while fostering an actively supportive and informed school community.

Event Coordination and Participation

• Activity Leadership: Theatre Productions and Events: Organize and lead student-centered theatre performances and showcases, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and connections between language arts and theatre.
• Cultural and Community Events: Coordinate and supervise student involvement in cultural and community events that encourage empathy and social awareness through performance and storytelling.
• Student Exhibitions: Plan and manage public exhibitions that display students' creative and analytical work, integrating language arts concepts with theatrical expression.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts Education, Theatre Education, Theatre Arts, or a related field. Master’s degree in Language Arts Education, Theatre Education, or a related field preferred.
• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Language Arts (BX) endorsement, or ability to obtain certification
• Teaching experience in language arts and theatre, with a strong understanding of theatre production, acting techniques, scriptwriting, and integrating theatre with academic content
• Experience teaching middle school students in an urban setting
• Prior experience in a student-centered, arts-integration, or project-based learning environment
• A practicing artist with a passion for arts education and student-centered learning

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with Michigan’s language arts, fine and performing arts, and academic education standards
• Comfort with performing arts-based instruction in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and media
• Knowledge of or willingness to adopt the Studio Habits of Mind framework and CASEL’s social-emotional learning competencies
• Ability to create and manage a studio-like classroom environment
• Demonstrated ability to engage the interest of school-age children
• Ability to engage in hands-on activities and experiments with students
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, adaptability in lesson planning, and a commitment to equitable and inclusive teaching practices
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, eagerness to learn, and effectively collaborate with colleagues, arts partners, and community members
• Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks

Core Values and Professional Standards:

• Commitment to School Vision: Align instruction and culture-building efforts with the school’s mission to nurture adaptable, compassionate global citizens, fostering growth in creative, intellectual, and social-emotional domains.
• Student-Centered Teaching and Learning: Provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their education through active participation, personalized instruction, and collaborative reflection.
• Arts-Integrated Education: Actively use creative expression to foster social responsibility and holistic student development, integrating arts practices across disciplines to deepen understanding and enhance learning.
• Collaborative Leadership: Engage with colleagues, families, and community partners to create a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that reflects shared values and promotes collective success.
• Excellence in Teaching: Commit to developing students into creative, intellectual, and responsible global citizens through high-quality instruction, effective climate management, and arts-integrated practices.
• Commitment to Fairness and Opportunity: Advocate for fairness and the equal treatment of all students, ensuring opportunities for success in the arts and beyond while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.

Salary: $50,000 -$82,010 (Potential for additional stipends)
Additional signing bonus of up to $1,500 for New Hire teachers, payable upon commencement of employment

Contract: 188 Days (10 months)


SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment. All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.


The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.