6-8 Visual Arts Teacher

Visual Arts Teacher

Head-Royce School is seeking a culturally responsive, flexible, enthusiastic, and innovative Visual Arts teacher to teach Studio Art and Ceramics. We seek to develop artists by establishing an appropriate and engaging learning environment and offering varied learningactivities. Our faculty create classrooms that encourage students to participate in experiential learning, take risks, view the world through multiple lenses, utilize innovative tools, and demonstrate proficiencies through a range of assessments that include real-world problems and performances.

The Visual & Performing Arts Department at Head-Royce endeavors to create a student-centered program that teaches the skills and language of the arts through meaningful, experiential, project-based learning. Across the visual and performing arts, students are engaged in creative pursuits with an emphasis on process, connection to our community, and student choice and ownership. Since the Arts both actively shape and reflect the cultural expression of a community, we strive to advance a plurality of diverse perspectives, fostering an environment of inclusivity that promotes mutual respect and empathy.

Head-Royce teachers serve as advisors, club sponsors and participate in the life of the community. We seek applicants who have a strong academic background, experience in anti-racist pedagogy, an awareness of ecological literacy, an understanding of adolescents, and a genuine fondness for working with students at this specific age level.

Job Responsibilities

The primary responsibility will be to plan, instruct, and assess a project-based Media Arts course for 6th through 8th-grade students, integrating the following:

• Design and deliver lessons in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and other art forms.
• Guide students through the full creative process from concept development to production, including proper care and use of tools and equipment.
• Develop and maintain a structured project-based curriculum aligned with school-wide learning outcomes and studio arts standards.
• Foster visual arts literacy by helping students learn about fundamental art techniques, artists from various cultural traditions, and art historical movements.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback on student work and maintain accurate records of student progress and grades.
• Collaborate with colleagues on cross-curricular projects and school-wide events involving visual arts display.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and materials-rich classroom environment conducive to creative exploration.
• Serve as an Advisor to a group of middle school students.

Job Specifications

• Expertise in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and other art forms.
• Experience with clay, glazes, kiln operation, hand and wheel throwing techniques, and studio safety.
• Thorough understanding of art history and contemporary critical discourse around art practice.
• Collaborative, collegial, flexible colleague with the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
• Familiarity with Project Zero's Studio Habits of Mind.
• Clear communicator with students, colleagues and parents.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of and curiosity regarding curriculum design, varied pedagogical approaches as well as different styles and types of assessment.

Other Duties

• Participate in school-wide professional development, staff meetings, and committee work as assigned.
• Maintain and manage classroom technology equipment and report issues to the technology coordinator.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding student progress and course expectations.
• Ability to participate in an outdoor education trip for 3-4 nights (additional stipend paid)

Required Skills

• Proficiency in industry-standard digital art tools.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling, composition, and design principles.
• Effective classroom management and the ability to engage and motivate adolescent learners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to integrate technology meaningfully into a project-based learning environment.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts, Education, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Valid teaching credential or demonstrated equivalent experience in a school or educational setting.
• Prior experience teaching or working with middle school-aged students strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with both 2-D and 3-D art forms.
• Ability to provide Livescan fingerprint clearance, SB848 and TB clearance prior to employment.

$76,600 - $130,998 a year Salary prorated depending on percentage of full-time employment. Location: Oakland, California Education: Bachelor's degree required Start Date: August 2026

To Apply:

Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest (cover letter) as well as a current resume.

Application materials should be submitted through our website. Priority to applications received by May 1, 2026.