Middle/Upper School Art Teacher ('26-'27)

About Girls Preparatory School

The mission of Girls Preparatory School (GPS) is to inspire each girl to lead a life of integrity and purpose by engaging her mind, cultivating her strengths, and nurturing her self-confidence and respect for others. Currently, 130 faculty and staff serve approximately 500 girls in grades 6-12 with a college preparatory curriculum that includes a full complement of courses in the humanities, STEM, the arts, and more, as well as a rich and varied cocurricular program. 

GPS prioritizes healthy connections and relationships, fostering a culture where each girl is known, heard, and empowered to use her voice. This culture of acceptance and belonging nurtures and lifts her up in mind, body, and spirit so that she can find her place and discover her potential with confidence and joy for dynamic engagement in a rapidly changing world. 

Faculty support each student in a learner-centered and collaborative culture aligned with our mission, vision, and values. Furthermore, faculty and staff are expected to understand and embody our tenets of excellence.

Teaching Position Summary

Girls Preparatory School seeks an instructor to join our visual and performing arts department as a visual arts teacher. The ideal candidate is a skilled and passionate educator, adept at teaching traditional and contemporary techniques and committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Using learner-centered practices and an interdisciplinary approach, this teacher will support students’ growth in both course objectives and broader competencies in our Profile of a Graduate. 

The candidate should demonstrate a strong educational understanding of various artistic media, experience designing and executing an arts curriculum with interdisciplinary connections, and use varied, learner-centered pedagogical methods. Preference will be given to candidates with deep qualifications in 3D art and those who connect traditional visual arts principles with modern technology and tools.

While teaching assignments may shift with school needs and faculty interest, the selected teacher will likely teach primarily upper school courses. Foundational middle school courses are also part of our program and may be assigned. Upper school offerings include foundational art, drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and several AP/college portfolio courses.

Teaching Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Division Heads and the Director of Fine & Performing Arts, the person in this role will

• Maintain a commitment to learner-centered, inclusive, and interdisciplinary learning, connecting art to broader cultural and academic contexts;
• Create a supportive studio environment that encourages artistic risk taking and personal expression; supports girls’ artistic, academic, and personal growth; and is characterized by rapport with students within an equitable classroom culture;
• Plan, develop, and execute lessons that reflect our broader curriculum and adapt to the needs of students as they progress;
• Demonstrate expertise in utilizing varied, engaging pedagogical techniques;
• Evaluate and communicate student progress; 
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in differentiated instruction;
• Collaborate with colleagues and varying academic departments to integrate the visual arts with other relevant disciplines and projects;
• Collaborate with learning support specialists in order to meet the needs of students with learning differences;
• Extend learning beyond the studio through guest artists, field trips, and the like;
• Serve as an advisor to a group of 10-12 students;
• Contribute to school life by sponsoring a club, offering an after-school activity, coaching, or some other method based on faculty interest; 
• Attend and participate in departmental and conference meetings, committing to professional growth and the professional life of the faculty; and
• Use outstanding and varied written and verbal communication skills to partner with students, families, and colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in visual art or other related field required;
• Graduate degree in visual art or related field preferred;
• At least three years of teaching experience at the secondary or postsecondary levels preferred; and
• Girls Preparatory School is committed to employing only individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

It is the School’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or disability or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. It is the intent and resolve of the School to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

All employees are responsible for complying with the School's equal employment opportunity policy.