What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2025 Summer Arts Teen Workshop Teacher position at The Putney School?
DEPT / DIVISION : The Putney School Summer Programs
REPORTS TO : Director
TEACH & SUPERVISE : Students (14 - 17)
FTE : No
WORK YEAR : Summer - Seasonal : June 23, 2025 - July 27, 2025
FLSA & PAY TYPE : Exempt - Salaried (based on workshops)
BENEFITS : No
COMPENSATION : $750 / week dependant on number of workshops (w / additional compensation for returning staff based on number of years worked)
OTHER DETAILS :
- This role is for teachers with an active artistic practice, with curriculum building experience, and experience working with teens or college level students.
- Number of Openings : 3 (for workshops listed below)
Ceramics
HOW TO APPLY :
ABOUT THE POSITION : The Putney School Summer Arts , an international residential summer program for 14-17 year olds who are highly motivated to participate in a rigorous arts program, seeks to fill Workshop Teacher positions. This role presents an exciting collaborative opportunity to work with The Putney School’s Summer Programs team on our Vermont campus. This candidate will work with 200 teens as they learn, make art & music, build lifelong friendships and explore their individuality in a safe and welcoming environment. This position encompasses a variety of responsibilities that support student’s growth and learning during their time in the summer.
Workshop teachers build a curriculum that will lead students through learning the basics of the medium and set them up for independent work. All workshops are of mixed level. Workshop teachers should be prepared to assess and lead more advanced students through more advanced work while maintaining an environment that works for beginner level students, either through more challenging prompts or through individual guidance into independent work.
Our employees are part of an intentional residential experience that values belonging and community. We seek applicants who find joy in their work and help others realize how much fun authentic, student-centered learning can be. To this end, workshop teachers will also have residential responsibilities during the day and participate as active members of the community.
OUR MISSION : The Putney School is a progressive secondary boarding school on 600 acres in Vermont. Since its founding in 1935, the school’s character and governance have been based on collaboration and shared values rather than competition. We are a community of people who think for themselves, invent, design, experiment, compose, write, build, and chase down new ideas. Each employee makes a significant contribution to the school’s success, and it is our expectation that each employee will always have the wellbeing of the whole school in mind.
Since 1987, Putney Summer Arts has welcomed a diverse community of young artists and arts professionals to the Putney School campus each summer. Located on a working farm in Southern Vermont, we provide an intimate space where students passionate about the arts receive support and inspiration to focus on furthering their artistic practice and learning. Hands-on learning is embedded in the program's culture : expansive arts offerings, a working dairy farm, and community based events. Our teachers are experienced educators and practicing artists, many of whom return year after year. Summer Arts is a community of young artists, arts educators, and professionals who believe teens can be their truest selves through the making of art in an environment where learning collaboratively and taking risks is celebrated.
Putney is a leader in progressive education and is committed to the ideals of social justice. Our commitment to social justice work is embedded in our stated fundamental beliefs; it is part of our regular work in curriculum design, assessment structures, and professional development to examine, reflect on and promote anti-racist work. The ideal candidate will be eager to participate in anti-racist work and use an inclusive, social justice lens in their work with all students and adults on campus. Building a just and inclusive community is a shared responsibility, and Putney supports all its employees in developing this critical skill set.
JOB SUMMARY : Workshop teachers are responsible for building their workshop curriculum, and leading students through a course that challenges and helps them grow in the medium and culminates in individual projects. They will serve as dorm liaisons and offer support to Residential staff through assigned responsibilities, at the discretion of the Director. See below for specific responsibilities based on the workshop.
CERAMICS :
CULINARY :
PAINTING :
ESSENTIAL DUTIES :
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
US citizenship
Hold a US Resident Alien card
Possess or obtain at candidate’s expense a US work permit that does not expire until after the final date of employment (July 27, 2025)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : This job includes manual labor. Lifting and carrying supplies for workshops, as well as moving furniture in setting up your workshop space, will be required.
THINGS TO EXPECT :
QUESTIONS : Any questions about the position should be directed to Director Dan Folgar at dfolgar@putneyschool.org or 802-387-6234
The Putney School Summer Arts is a program of The Putney School, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Salary : $750 - $1,500