Job Description

Background

The Atelierista usually has a background in visual arts (or dance, engineering, science, etc).  The role entails supporting children’s creativity and learning in the 100 languages of children.  The Atelierista will be working with children alone and alongside staff in classrooms and the Atelier, to provide experiences and provocations for the children and to observe and document the learning process in detail.  The Atelierista works to implement the IB-PYP Curriculum within the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Schedule:  On site hours are 8:00 am. to 4:00 pm.

Additional time may be required to prepare curriculum, prepare assessments, attend meetings, conferences and curriculum nights; and take part in admissions events such as Open Houses, tours; and communicate with parents and staff and to meet the educational and program goals of the School.   The on-site hours are subject to change as necessary for the smooth operation of the School.  Any exception will need to be approved by HOS.  Direct reporting (on a day-to-day basis) to Division Director and Head of School. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the oversight of the atelier space for students  in Preschool through Grade 3, and the operation of the Atelier working directly with children and ensuring that there is a broad range of creative experiences available for the children at all times. Note: given construction or space limitations the atelier space may  be incorporated into classroom environments.
• Provides a stimulating environment for children and staff to work on long-term projects and providing a wide range of “intelligent” materials giving children the opportunity to express themselves through as many “languages” as possible
• Design and Develops the Art Curriculum for students in Preschool through Grade 3, including the learning outcomes.
• Supports the IB-PYP program and works with faculty in the development the different units of inquiry developed during the school year
• Develops staff awareness of working with children to encourage their learning through creative expression, individually, and as part of a group
• Develops staff understanding of the documentation process and the environment as the “third teacher”
• Supports training of faculty and staff, including monitoring progress on an ongoing basis
• Participates in internal and external  professional development opportunities 
• Presents and prepares materials at various events as needed throughout the year including Admissions open houses, Spotlight series and other events as needed

Responsibilities include:

• Working with children on creative experiences using a wide variety of media to encourage ideas, exploration and questions.
• Helping children express themselves creatively in as many ways possible.
• Teaching new creative skills to staff and children.
• Working with staff to interpret and document children’s work.
• Introducing provocative and intelligent materials into the classroom and occasionally giving training on how to use them.
• Supporting in-house training  and resources to faculty on the Reggio Emilia approach how to provide creative experiences.
• Producing display documentation, booklets and films on projects and learning experiences that happen in the classroom.
• Creating an aesthetic environment in the ateliers and around the school and influencing the aesthetic environment in both campuses
• Collecting images, books, interesting objects, intelligent materials for the atelier.
• Use technology as an extension of the creative process
• Communicating and presenting to others and influencing others regarding all of the above, as required
• Ensuring your own continued professional development, with support as required
• Managing the Digital Atelier with support from other members of staff
• Developing and curating the end of year School Exhibit

Additional Information

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Busy and noisy work environment with frequent interruptions.
• Regularly stand, talk, and hear; able to visually supervise children.
• Able to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Regularly use close and distance vision.
• Work outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Turn, bend, reach, and may occasionally use a ladder.

Professional Performance Standards

The Teacher is guided by/expected to meet the following performance standards:

• Maintaining an awareness of the school’s mission and philosophy;
• Performing tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner;
• Maintaining a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seeking to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks;
• Seeking opportunities to develop skills and create opportunities to teach co-workers;
• Communicating in a timely, honest and sufficient manner;
• Exercising professional judgment and discretion; and
• Working well with a diverse staff and school community.

The School

La Scuola believes that all children are born intelligent and curious, and that families and educators should work collaboratively with their children to shape a better future. Above all, La Scuola believes that learning and living should be joyful; its mantra is Niente senza gioia! (Nothing without joy!). It is a dynamic, innovative and collaborative organisation. 

La Scuola’s curriculum has three pil

lars: the Reggio Emilia pedagogy, the International Baccalaureate Program framework, and Italian language immersion.  

The Reggio Emilia approach believes that: children are born curious and competent and should be respected and celebrated; they should be protagonists in their learning with parents and teachers serving as collaborators; and they deserve to have beautiful environments in which to explore and construct knowledge. Some essential components of the Reggio Emilia approach in practice are: small class size, project-based learning, classrooms that offer a home-like environment, and learning in the context of real-life issues. Indeed, the classroom itself is considered a teacher. Reggio Emilia inspired spaces (i.e., the learning spaces at La Scuola) also offer an atelier/laboratory where children can experiment and discover, as well as a piazza that serves as a central meeting place. 

The International Baccalaureate is a globally recognized curriculum framework for children ages 3-18 that challenges students academically and fosters a sense of duty to their community to be engaged, caring, and respectful global citizens. This curriculum is inquiry based and focuses on concepts and topics that cross subject areas, which enables students to make new and meaningful connections. 

Italian language immersion supports language and cognitive development and appreciation of other cultures. Children who study a second language score higher on verbal standardized tests conducted in English, perform better in math and logic skills testing, have better executive function skills and are better at solving complex problems. La Scuola was recently officially recognized by the Italian Government as an Italian School abroad.

Academics

As noted, the curriculum is aligned to the International Baccalaureate-Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) for students ages 3-12 and the International Baccalaureate-Middle Years Programme for students age 12 to 14.  

Elementary School (K-5)

In the Elementary School, students engage in learning through units of inquiry around a central idea, where learning requires students to develop knowledge and skills across a number of subject areas. Across all subject areas, students investigate through structured and purposeful inquiry, in line with the IB-PYP curriculum framework. Each day, students are encouraged to be curious, ask questions, explore, and interact with the environment physically, socially, and intellectually. The IB-PYP focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. It is a framework guided by six trans-disciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas (language; social studies; mathematics; arts; science; and personal, social, and physical education), as well as trans-disciplinary skills, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry. Instruction is taught in both the English and Italian languages, in which students are expected to become fluent, express themselves, and effectively communicate cross-culturally. Instruction begins as majority Italian language (i.e., 80% of instruction in K-1) and slowly transitions to majority English (i.e., 70% of instruction is in English by eighth grade).

Middle School (6-8)

La Scuola’s first eighth grade class was enrolled this past fall at the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year. The Middle School is currently authorized as an International Baccalaureate for Middle Years (IB MYP) school. The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents.

Technology plays a significant role for all Middle School students; the Middle School offers a one-to-one Chromebook program, as well as exposure to computer science and coding.

Notably, the Middle School curriculum is separated into two paths: the Italian Language Immersion Program and the Italian Language Learners Program.

The Italian Language Immersion Program is for students who have grade-level literacy and communication skills in Italian. Students in the language immersion program study language and literature in both languages and Spanish as a third language. Students in this program become fully literate in Italian and English, and develop reading, writing, and conversational skills in Spanish.

Students in the Italian Language Learners Program are completely new to Italian or are at a beginning to intermediate level of Italian. Students in this program have an enriched Italian as a second language experience that is fully integrated into the International Baccalaureate Program.

Students in both tracks participate in science, math, and other IB MYP required subjects. This ensures that all Middle School students share a common experience and are together when not in language classes.

Campus

Currently, the Pre-K, Elementary and Middle School are currently on three different sites. The preschool is located in the sunny Potrero Hill/Dogpatch neighborhood. This is an up-and-coming neighborhood right next to the new Mission Bay UCSF campus. The site is well-served by public transit. The Lower  Elementary Campus (K- 2) is located in the Hayes Valley/Alamo Square lively and happening neighborhood. La Scuola recently signed a 60-year lease with the San Francisco Archdiocese for its new K-8 St. Charles site located in the Mission District. Currently, Grades 3-8 are located here, with the plan for the entire Elementary School to move to the Mission District as well within the next four years or sooner. 

To Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and list of at least three references with contact information here.