Middle School Art Teaching Fellow

King School is a PreK-12 independent, college preparatory day school located in Stamford that serves the diverse families of Fairfield and Westchester counties. King School seeks more than achievement for our students. We open minds and spark courageous thinking. Our students discover and forge their unique paths to excellence.

Diversity is foundational to academic and professional excellence, and therefore is a core value at King. We think, learn, and work more deeply due to the many facets of diversity in our community, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, ability, and learning style. We leverage cultural differences and intellectual diversity to create an inclusive and vibrant learning community, endeavoring for each person to feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.

Job Title: Full-Time Middle School Art Teaching Fellow

Reports to: Chair of the Art and Design Department and the Head of Middle School

Job Summary: King School is looking for a dynamic art educator to join us as a teaching fellow in the Middle School art and design department in the 2024-2025 school year. The ideal candidate would be comfortable working with both digital and studio arts and is interested in learning more about and pursuing teaching at the middle school level. The candidate will work in coordination and under the direct guidance of a cooperating teacher and should have an understanding and appreciation of middle school students. Additionally, the candidate will be asked to incorporate diversity and inclusiveness in their professional practice and encourage creative expression in students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and/or co-teach Middle School Art and Design classes to students in grades 6, 7, and 8 under the guidance of the mentor teacher.
• As guided by the mentor teacher, prepare for and teach artistic skills, techniques and materials in the disciplines of drawing and painting, as well as printmaking, sculpture, collage, and culturally diverse approaches to artmaking.
• Prepare for and teach artistic conventions, (such as color theory, perspective, elements of art, principles of design, composition, etc.) in coordination with the mentor teacher
• Guide students in creative self-expression and encourage experimentation, while teaching craftsmanship and skills that align with the high standards of the MS Art and Design Department.
• Create a classroom that is a warm, well-structured, and organized learning environment where consistent routines and expectations are set for the students and for one’s self.
• Organize and set up displays of student work that highlight process and learning.
• Teacher Collaboration
• Attend regular meetings with student support teams to discuss student concerns and progress.
• Collaborate with the cross-divisional members of the Art and Design Department to teach our inquiry based, student centered curriculum using backward design.
• Collaborate with the Director of Teaching and Learning, Middle School Dean of Students and School Counselors when appropriate to ensure students are being fully supported and challenged.
• Participate in all required meetings.
• Perform other supervisory duties as required of all Middle School teachers - recess and snack, lunch, study hall, morning greeting, etc.
• Communicate with parents/guardians about student progress as necessary.

Requirements:

• Current coursework in Art Teaching (MAT) preferred.
• Possess a sound understanding of the developmental stages of young adolescents.
• Comfort and experience in working with digital platforms for design.
• Strong communication skills and ability to constructively collaborate with students and colleagues.
• Possess a sound understanding of the intellectual and social-emotional developmental stages of adolescents.
• Ability and capacity to nurture student voice, autonomy of thought, and student leadership.
• Ability to be organized and manage a series of student information platforms and systems, including: Google Classroom, Gmail.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through culturally responsive teaching, cross-cultural competence, and collaborative professional practices that support a diverse community across lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status, ability, belief, sexual orientation, and national origin
• Must have a demonstrated alignment with King’s Mission and Virtues.

Classifications:

Full-time, exempt.

King goes beyond just stating that we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to intentionally hire a diverse pool of world-class faculty and staff to enrich the educational experience of students. King seeks candidates committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment where varied identities are valued and respected.