What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2025-26 Sch Year: Art Teacher (Grades PK4 - 2nd Grade) position at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School?
Art Teacher (Grades PK4 - 2nd Grade) Effective for the 2025-2026 school year
Job Summary: Full-time, with benefits. Hours: 7:30 – 3:30 (or until dismissal is complete); required faculty meetings are Tuesdays after school. We are seeking a passionate and experienced art teacher to join our Catholic elementary school, working with students in Pre-K through 2nd grade. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to furthering the Catholic philosophy and goals of our school while fostering a joyful, faith-filled, and creative learning environment. The teacher will integrate Gospel values into daily classroom activities, guide students in ethical decision-making, and encourage Christian leadership through artistic expression.
Key Responsibilities:
I. Faith Integration and Mission Alignment
- Create a classroom atmosphere that nurtures knowledge of the Catholic faith.
- Model Christian values and ethical decision-making for students.
- Incorporate Gospel values into daily instruction and classroom interactions.
- Encourage students to explore their faith through artistic expression.
II. Instructional Planning
- Design and implement age-appropriate art lessons that align with school curriculum and Catholic values.
- Choose and organize instructional materials that engage young learners and accommodate diverse learning needs.
- Develop both long-term and short-term instructional goals.
- Collaborate with grade-level teachers to integrate art into cross-curricular projects.
III. Directing Learning
- Present clear, engaging lessons that captivate young learners.
- Adapt teaching strategies to meet individual student needs.
- Guide students through hands-on art activities, fostering creativity and artistic development.
- Provide assignments that are developmentally appropriate and academically enriching.
- Maintain student engagement and involvement in artistic exploration
- IV. Student Assessment and Evaluation
- Assess student progress through classroom observations, portfolios, and age-appropriate assessments.
- Monitor student growth in artistic skills, creativity, and understanding of art history.
- Provide constructive feedback to students and parents.
- Maintain accurate records of student achievements and communicate progress to families through school report cards.
V. Classroom Management
- Establish and maintain a positive and joyful classroom environment that encourages creativity and learning.
- Implement effective classroom management strategies that emphasize care, respect, and redirection.
- Foster a sense of community and collaboration among students.
- Encourage students to take pride in their artwork and classroom space.
- VI. Communication and Collaboration
- Maintain open and effective communication with administrators, faculty, parents, and students.
- Work closely with teachers to support interdisciplinary projects and reinforce learning across subjects.
- Provide parents with insights into their child’s artistic development and ways to encourage creativity at home.
- Work positively and cooperatively with parent volunteers to support classroom activities and art displays.
VII. Professionalism and Growth
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development in both art education and Catholic teaching principles.
- Stay informed about best practices in early childhood art education.
- Actively participate in faculty meetings, school events, and community-building activities.
- Uphold school policies and professional responsibilities efficiently.
Job includes other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field preferred.
- Experience teaching art to young children in a school setting strongly preferred.
- A deep love for working with young children and a joyful, patient, and encouraging demeanor.
- Strong classroom management skills with an emphasis on positive redirection and guidance.
- Ability to teach basic art history concepts in an engaging, age-appropriate manner.
- Skilled in guiding students in creating beautiful artwork that reflects their creativity and developing skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with faculty and parents.
- A practicing Catholic is preferred, with a commitment to the school’s mission and values.