Visual Arts Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)

POSITION: Visual Arts Teacher 

GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations. You can view the current openings at this link. We encourage you to apply even if your preferred position is not listed as we will be posting new roles throughout the year.

SALARY: $60,000-$78,000 based on aligned years of experience up to 10 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver! 

STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO)

START: First day of new staff training at the end of July. You can view the current School Year Calendar here. 

THE ROLE

We are seeking a talented and versatile Visual Arts Teacher to inspire students in both digital and traditional art forms. This position involves teaching a wide range of artistic techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media such as graphic design and digital illustration. The ideal candidate will guide students in developing their creative skills while integrating technology to enhance visual expression. With a focus on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and artistic innovation, the teacher will encourage students to build a strong portfolio and explore the intersection of traditional and digital art.

Based on the campus and opening, you may be teaching any of the below courses. We will inquire about your preferences during the interview process. 

• Digital Arts

• Visual Arts 

• Ceramics

• Journalism

• Graphic Design

• Drawing 

• Studio Arts

• Photography 

• Guitar

• Capstone: Student Portfolio Art & Aligned Internship 

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver Rigorous & Engaging Content: Utilize DSST’s curriculum resources to plan, intellectually prepare, and teach rigorous grade level aligned content to 3-5 classes daily depending on campus and content area. DSST prioritizes curriculum that centers the cultures and histories of underrepresented and marginalized communities. 

• Track and Support Student Growth: Prioritize students’ intellectual growth by holding high expectations for academic success including monitoring and assessing the performance of all students through a variety of assessment tools and resources to guide instruction and support individual student proficiency.

• Promote Positive Culture: Employ DSST culture and support systems while validating students’ cultural identities. Actively promote a unified and positive classroom and school culture. Cultivate and maintain trusting relationships with students and families. 

• Pursue Professional Development: Engage in professional growth opportunities, including regular coaching, feedback, and development, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

• Contribute to School Community: Undertake additional duties as needed, such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc. Explore more potential duties here.

THE PERSON

We value staff with diverse backgrounds, talents, and ideas. Our most successful employees share the following characteristics: 

• An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school and reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals.

• A proactive approach to learning and growth, welcoming feedback to enhance your teaching practice.

Qualifications:

• Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in any field. Demonstrated content knowledge (known as in-field status) via various qualifications (see qualification options here). 

• Ideal: Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students. A Colorado teaching credential is preferred but not required for most opportunities.

WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring all 7,500 students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education. 

INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS

For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process here. 

WHY JOIN DSST?

At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out why our teachers love working at DSST as well as our benefits website to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition. 

• Health and Supplemental Insurance: DSST staff have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including fertility benefits and a mental health counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST staff.

• Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy 11 weeks off per year paid PTO (from Day 1!)

• Professional Development: As a learning organization, DSST values both internal and external development opportunities for staff. See some examples below:

  • DSST Back to School Development Series including New Staff Institute, New Educator Institute, New Leader Institute, Leader You, and Teaching & Learning Institute. 

  • Weekly 1:1 Coaching from a School Administrator at your campus. 

  • Clear internal career pathway opportunities such as our Apprentice Teachers, Emerging Leaders, and School Director in Training Programs. Read more here. 

• And more!

DSST COMMUNITY REFERRAL PROGRAM

Not a best fit role for you but know someone else who would be a great fit? Refer them here and earn $500 if they are hired! 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Salary : $60,000 - $78,000