Visual Arts and Makerspace Teacher

Visual Arts and Makerspace Teacher Location Cambridge, MA (West Cambridge area) : Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (preK - 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Grades 3 - 8 engage in Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long Central Subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Grades preK - 2 pursue a variety of Thematic Studies that reflect the Central Subject Methodology by integrating areas of learning, but in shorter, age appropriate units. Central Subject faculty (Gradeheads) are responsible for the skills and content in both social studies/history and language arts and with the support of performing arts and visual arts faculty, the integration of these disciplines. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful, and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and which is unafraid to engage students in important questions. The schools program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues. Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution. Its long-standing Teacher Training Course, which brings apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented aspiring teachers for careers in education and allows faculty members the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field. Because of the schools commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School. Summary: Shady Hill School is seeking a full-time Visual Arts and Makerspace teacher beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. This full-time, 10-month position will support students in Lower School and Middle School. Visual Arts at Shady Hill seeks to give young artists access to a wide variety of materials and processes in an effort to empower them, champion their voice, and discover a myriad of avenues to successful and meaningful self expression. While technical skill and safe practices are the backbone of our teaching, our overarching goal is to encourage confidence, curiosity, endurance and creativity in our students. Our Makerspace is a place for students to learn and practice the engineering design process, to tinker, to build, to code, to be curious, and to discover. It is also a place where gradeheads can bring their students to participate in activities and projects that are not able to be done in the classroom. Students from ages 4 to 14 can be found exploring and working in this space. In both spaces, hands-on activities are selected to introduce and reinforce concepts, and to lead to a deeper understanding. We value multiple perspectives, collaboration and an appreciation for careful observation and consideration of all aspects of a question. Specific Responsibilities:

• Teach Visual Arts daily to grades 5 and 6
• Teach a 7th/8th grade Makerspace design elective
• Collaborate with and provide support for the lead Makerspace teacher, including staffing one recess daily in the Makerspace
• Work collaboratively with department and grade level teams to create and refine curriculum
• Collaborate with gradeheads on special Makerspace projects
• Manage all classroom responsibilities, including designing and implementing hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, utilizing a variety of approaches to teaching and assessing students
• Monitor the social, emotional, and academic lives of students, creating an identity-safe and caring classroom environment and community
• Communicate about student progress, write reports, and meet with administrators and other faculty to support the needs of individuals
• Engage in professional development to enhance inclusive teaching and leadership practices. The school offers extensive professional development opportunities, including yearly trips to the People of Color Conference for BIPOC employees

In addition, this faculty member will share in responsibilities associated with the position or with being a faculty member, such as supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision and other duties. Faculty members are also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other faculty meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees of the faculty. Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a related field required, Masters degree preferred
• At least three years of prior visual arts/design teaching experience preferred
• Experience teaching a wide variety of Studio Art techniques and approaches to elementary aged students, including but not limited to collage, ceramics, printmaking, painting, drawing, and fiber arts
• Experience with teaching the engineering design process in a Makerspace setting
• Experience with design software, particularly Tinkercad and Inkscape
• Experience with Makerspace machines, including laser cutters and 3D printers
• Strong background in an inquiry approach to education, including curriculum design, interdisciplinary activities, and project-based learning
• Effective, timely, and professional communication skills
• Employs multicultural, anti-bias, antiracist teaching strategies that reflect cultural competence
• Uses multicultural materials and resources
• A demonstrated interest in furthering professional development

Additional Info: Finalists are expected to teach a demonstration lesson and provide a written lesson plan. Annual salary for faculty is determined according to a step scale commensurate with experience. How to apply: Please send a pdf including a cover letter, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and list of 3 professional references (references will not be contacted without your permission) to: [email protected]. Please be sure to include Visual Arts and Makerspace Teacher in the subject line of the email. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For a description of the school, refer to: COVID19 Protocols: All Shady Hill employees are required to provide proof of vaccination and to observe campus COVID protocols. All health and safety protocols are subject to change based on state, local and CDC guidelines and at the discretion of the Health and Safety Team.