Visual Arts Teacher

TEACHER - VISUAL ARTS

DEPARTMENT: Fine Arts

BARGAINING UNIT: Union Groups

WAGE: Compensation is determined by a structured salary schedule. The starting salary is based on the candidate's degree level and verified years of licensed or certificated experience.

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Building Based: School Principal/Director of Fine Arts

Itinerant: Director of Fine Arts

GRPS MISSION

Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

JOB SUMMARY

The Visual Arts Teacher is responsible for preparing scholars in art.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• LX/LQ K-12 art teacher certification and/or a bachelor's degree in art education
• Successful experience teaching beginning art scholars

Preferred:

• Prior successful teaching experience working in a diverse setting

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop a high-quality school art program using the Elements and Principles of Art & Design as the foundations for creating successful art
• Provide sound art instruction enabling all scholars to work in 2-D, 3-D and digital when applicable
• Demonstrate clear expertise and ability to teach using a variety of mediums
• Design an effective classroom management plan including behavior expectations and the handling of art materials
• Provide a safe, creative classroom environment that is focused on learning and scholar growth
• Maintain organized classroom spaces, art inventory, scholar attendance and grades
• Utilize Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
• Develop lesson plans based on the art curriculum, the GRPS academic plan, departmental goals, integrate environmental science when applicable, and scholars' needs
• Implement a plan addressing all learning styles, which allows each scholar to succeed through differentiated instruction
• Plan and execute participation in the GRPS City Wide Art Show
• Communicate with feeder schools - elementary, middle, and high school to establish program articulation and successful transition for scholars
• Evaluate scholar progress based on formal and informal assessment to inform instruction
• Show evidence of scholar growth
• Attend meetings and workshops to stay current with educational practice
• Establish and maintain timely, effective, written/oral communication with scholars, parents, building and district level staff
• Create and maintain positive relations with scholars, parents, staff, and community
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop and display scholar art
• Provide a safe, effective classroom environment that is focused on learning and scholar growth
• Exercise good judgment implementing school district policies, procedures, guidelines, and law
• Serve as a role model for all scholars and within the school community
• Work effectively with diverse scholars and staff of various backgrounds
• Other duties as assigned
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Parent and Community Engagement

• Make and maintain regular, positive contact with parents via phone calls, email and/or home visits including communicating with scholar progress
• Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with scholars, parents and colleagues
• Participate in parent meetings, including IEP's and Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Contribute to the development of a positive attitude between the school and the wider community through cooperative relations, publications, competitions, etc.
• Contribute to community service and global citizenship goals

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stands and/or walks during most of the working day. Turns, stoops, climbs, bends, pushes, pulls, reaches for and carries materials and equipment in the performance of tasks. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds. Must be able to work outside for extended periods (up to the entire eight-hour shift) in all weather conditions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of scholars.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in

writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

NON-DISCRIMINATION/ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.

DISCLAIMER

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.