Transitional Kindergarten through 8th Grade Art Teacher - The Country School

The Country School, an independent Preschool-8th grade progressive school located in Valley Village, is seeking an inspiring and nurturing Art Teacher for our 1st through 8th grade students. This position is responsible for creating, teaching, and maintaining a vibrant visual arts program that reflects our school’s mission and supports the artistic development of every child.

The Art program at TCS moves beyond a traditional model. It encompasses all the essential elements of a TCS education: meeting children where they are, thinking in innovative ways, sparking creativity, and ensuring that each student sees themselves represented in the curriculum. Students learn a wide range of fine art skills - drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and mixed media - while studying diverse artists from around the world. The Art Studio is a creative space designed to build confidence, curiosity, and expressive freedom. Our philosophy is simple: there is an artist in every child.

The Art Teacher will design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for grades K-8, teach daily afternoon classes, manage prep and cleanup, and plan with intention toward an end-of-year Art Showcase highlighting student work.

The ideal candidate is warm, encouraging, and passionate about working with students. They possess strong collaboration skills, flexibility, excellent written and oral communication, and a genuine enthusiasm for progressive, creative education.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Create and implement a rich visual arts curriculum for grades 1-8, aligned with school values and the year-end Art Showcase.
• Conduct engaging daily art classes using best practices in visual arts education, exposing students to a wide variety of media, techniques, and global artistic traditions.
  Prepare, organize, and maintain the Art Studio, including materials management, setup, and cleanup.
• Design hands-on, project-based learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Provide whole-group, small-group, and individual instruction tailored to diverse learners.
• Communicate with students and parents as needed regarding progress and engagement.
• Integrate educational technology appropriately to enhance instruction.
• Participate in ongoing dialogue regarding student growth and classroom environment.
• Perform supervisory duties as assigned and attend faculty meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues to enrich curriculum and cross-disciplinary integration.
• Support and model the school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice.
• Demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities when needed.
• Plan and lead visual elements for school performances and events, including coordinating decorations and designing and organizing the all-school Art Show.

Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of visual arts techniques and media (charcoal, oil, acrylic, watercolor, ceramics, etc.).
• Experience in curriculum design and development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to independently lead and supervise elementary and middle school students.
• Familiarity with G-Suite and relevant educational technology tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team of faculty and administrators.

The Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability in its employment practices.

To apply, please email a cover letter and résumé to Matt Melnick at mmelnick@country-school.org.