Accelerated Arts- Visual Arts Teacher (SY 2025-2026)

Arts Academy Mission: To nurture exceptional young artists by providing intensive conservatory-style training in the arts alongside rigorous academics preparing students for collegiate study and professional careers in the arts. Arts Academy Highlights: Advanced arts courses in each of the 3 arts content areas (art music and theater). Up to 3 arts classes per day in the selected track. Honors and AP options available across all core subjects. Availability with early college programming off campus. Assistance with college and professional prep (auditions portfolios resumes). Public performances and exhibitions as : As the Music Teacher at our Arts Academy you will play a crucial role in shaping the musical education of our students as we embark on our inaugural year beginning with 9th grade. Your responsibilities will expand each year ultimately guiding students through all four grade levels (9-12). Who Are WeLawrence Public Schools is an urban district located 30 miles north of Boston serving more than 13000 students. More than 70% of our students speak a language other than English as their first language. We are committed to ensuring that our students who have for too long been under-served are provided with a high-quality free public education at their local district schools. Lawrence High School is seeking exceptional teachers to join our team who possess a growth mindset value collaboration and continuous feedback are passionate about their content and have an unwavering belief that all students are capable of meeting rigorous academic expectations. Position Summary:Our pioneering arts academy arts features a college preparatory curriculum supporting integrated and interdisciplinary teaching and learning among arts and academic disciplines. As a Visual Art Instructor you will play a crucial role in guiding and mentoring aspiring students as they prepare for university/college applications in the arts. You will lead basic intermediate advanced and portfolio development courses designed to help students showcase their creativity technical skills and artistic voice through a variety of mediums including drawing painting sculpture digital art and Duties and Responsibilities:Serve as a positive influence in the classroom motivating students to engage and excel in their musical with colleagues to create a cohesive and enriching arts curriculum and support all department events productions and curricular and implement high-quality shared curricula that adhere to state and national standards while fostering creativity and critical and nurtures a positive productive and equitable learning environment rooted in high expectations that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the appropriate levels of cognitive social and emotional development and interests of an instructional environment that balances formal instruction with opportunities for free creative and differentiates instruction for all students to access the standards including providing targeted support for English language learners and students with individualized education plans (IEPs). OR Differentiate classroom instruction to meet the varied learning profiles and needs of strong classroom management and hold students accountable for upholding school rules student-developed norms and classroom opportunities for student critical thinking communication collaboration and creativity as well as use of technology and digital media into lesson and unit plans. Facilitate student learning through collaborative classroom work reading writing discussion and exploration/ student growth through various metrics and adapt instruction to meet diverse learner personalized feedback and guidance to students helping them identify strengths areas for improvement and opportunities for artistic growth. Sets ambitious learning goals for all students creates cognitively demanding tasks and models the belief that all students can master challenging material through effective diverse classes (including art history multicultural art painting sketching 2D and 3D design observational art conceptual art digital/graphic art and sculpting) adapting instruction for varying skill students to a broad range of media techniques and fine art and supervise student artwork for exhibitions and displays throughout the academic partnerships to enhance student learning in the arts through masterclasses field trips and other enriching experiences that connect students with professionals in the students in selecting and curating their best work for inclusion in their art portfolios ensuring that each piece effectively communicates their unique artistic vision and demonstrates their technical post-high school transition planning by preparing students for application portfolio reviews and interviews with college admissions representatives. Communicate weekly with parents regarding student progress and collaborate on student support in school meetings professional development and community engagement partnerships to enhance student learning in the arts through masterclasses field trips and other enriching experiences that connect students with professionals in the leadership advocate for the school and its students and exhibit high ethical post-high school transition collaboratively to align curriculum to the rigor of the MA Curriculum FrameworksImplement common assessments that measure progress toward academic data from formative and summative assessments to inform instructionAttend weekly department with Special Education and ESL teachers to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all in biweekly instructional coaching sessions to improve instructional weekly with students and families around academic and behavioral other duties as assigned by the building-based administration. Desired Skills and Characteristics of a LHS teacher:Prior experience teaching theater education preferredProficiency in at least one musical instrument preferredExperience with conducting and music arrangement preferredStrong knowledge of theatre history dramatic literature and various theatrical styles and techniques preferred Experience in developing acting movement and vocal curriculum for actors as would be taught in a conservatory setting is preferredExperience in any/all of the following preferred: Acting (Meisner and Method techniques) Voice (Linklater Fitzmaurice and Rodenburg techniques) Movement (Michael Chekhov Laban and Alexander techniques) for ActorsDemonstrates understanding of how the subject matter applies in real-world settings and connects to other content areas and relevant standardsAbility to implement a safe supportive classroom environment that values diversity and prioritizes learning for all studentsCommitment to continuous professional development and self-reflection in teaching practicesDriving desire to disrupt inequity and improve outcomes for all studentsCommitment to the academic and personal success of Lawrence Public Schools students and familiesProven experience supporting English Language LearnersAbility to take initiative and succeed in a fast-paced school environment while remaining calm and focused when faced with unexpected challengesDemonstrated capacity to create and maintain a positive learning environment in which students diverse backgrounds identities strengths and challenges are respected and and a good sense of humor Qualifications:Bachelors degree is required; a Masters degree is preferred; appropriate Massachusetts DESE licensure (this includes a passing score on the Communication and Literacy - Skills test and a passing score on the relevant subject matter knowledge test(s). Teachers should hold an SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsement; A minimum of two years of teaching experience in a school setting serving a similar demographic is preferred but not required. Citizenship residency or work visa required.