Art Teacher | Elementary School | BTWA ES

Position Title: Elementary School Art Teacher

Location: New Haven CT

Reports To: School Principal

Employment Type: Full-time Exempt

Start Date: SY26-27

Salary Range: $50000 - $90000 commensurate with experience

ABOUT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ACADEMY

Booker T. Washington Academies (BTWA) in New Haven CT serves K4 scholars at its Elementary campus and grades 58 at its Middle School campus. Founded in 2014 around Booker T. Washingtons credoExcellence is doing common things in uncommon waysBTWA balances a rigorous academic program with the cultivation of morals character self-discipline responsibility for ones actions lifestyle work ethic and educational uplift.

Scholars develop proficiency in reading writing critical thinking discussion and problem-solving to meet college and career goals while embracing and demonstrating the morals character self-discipline and work ethic to be leaders in life and community.

Recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction in 2018 (Category 1) and again in 2024 (Category 2)the only New Haven public school honored that yearBTWA equips graduates to work hard harness the power of education elevate themselves and give back to their communities in a transformational way.

For more information about Booker T. Washington Academy please visit

Booker T. Washington Academy Elementary School seeks a passionate and mission-driven Elementary School Arts Teacher to join our K4 team. This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who believes deeply in the creative potential of all children is committed to equity and is eager to foster artistic expression cultural appreciation and creative confidence in an amazing yet historically underserved urban school community.

As a BTWA Elementary Arts Teacher you will:

• Deliver engaging standards-aligned instruction in visual arts that nurtures creativity technique and self-expression.

• Create a joyful inclusive classroom culture where students feel safe to explore take creative risks and celebrate their identities.

• Collaborate with colleagues to integrate arts across disciplines and contribute to a vibrant school culture.

• Partner with families and the community to showcase student work and celebrate artistic growth.

This role is ideal for an educator who is reflective imaginative and eager to contribute to a collaborative missiondriven school community that values the arts as central to educating the whole child.

As a Elementary School Art Teacher at BTWA ES you will be primarily responsible for:

Instructional Excellence

• Design and deliver engaging standardsaligned visual arts lessons that introduce students to foundational techniques in drawing painting sculpture collage and mixed media.

• Foster creative exploration and artistic risktaking while building technical skills visual literacy and appreciation for diverse artistic traditions.

• Differentiate instruction to support varied developmental levels and learning needs including English Learners and students with IEPs ensuring all students can access and express themselves through art.

• Use portfolios rubrics and student reflections to assess artistic growth and encourage selfevaluation and pride in creative work.

• Integrate culturally responsive materials and practices that affirm student identities celebrate global art forms and teach through an explicitly antiracist lens.

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to support interdisciplinary learning and integrate visual arts into core academic subjects (e.g. illustrating narratives designing math models exploring scientific diagrams).

Classroom Culture & Student Experience

• Create a joyful inclusive and organized studio environment where students feel safe to explore express and take creative risks.

• Build strong relationships with students that foster trust motivation and a sense of belonging in the art room.

• Incorporate socialemotional learning into artistic practice helping students develop empathy perseverance and confidence through creative expression.

• Reinforce BTWAs values of character responsibility and excellence through collaborative projects critique routines and classroom norms.

Family & Community Engagement

• Partner proactively with families through regular communication and collaborative goalsetting to support student creativity and growth.

• Organize and lead schoolwide arts events exhibitions and showcases that celebrate student work and build community pride.

• Collaborate with families to support artistic exploration at home and strengthen the homeschool connection.

Collaboration & Professional Learning

• Participate actively in weekly professional learning communities coaching cycles and peer observations to continuously refine practice.

• Collaborate with gradelevel teams and specialists to align curriculum share best practices and support interdisciplinary projects.

• Contribute to a positive highperforming adult culture that values feedback reflection and collective responsibility for student achievement.

Leadership & Contribution Beyond the Classroom

• Lead enrichment opportunities such as art clubs mural projects or community exhibitions that extend learning beyond the classroom.

• Support and facilitate common school routines including arrival and dismissal lunch and recess duties and transitions ensuring safety consistency and a positive school culture.

• Lead a homeroom or advisory setting that fosters authentic relationships builds community and supports students socialemotional learning and development.

• Help design and implement schoolwide systems rituals and traditions including opportunities for student performance exhibitions and public demonstrations of learning that build a strong affirming school identity.

• Take initiative on schoolwide projects and lead efforts to elevate the role of enrichment in BTWAs holistic educational model demonstrating flexibility innovation and ownership in a dynamic school environment while modeling professionalism adaptability and a growth mindset.

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities attributes and experiences:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or higher

• Valid teaching certification in Art Education or Elementary Education with arts endorsement (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)

• At least 23 years of teaching experience with a strong track record of student engagement and growth

• Ability to create a classroom environment in which students feel safe supported and inspired to explore creatively

• Strong sense of reflection and personal accountability for student growth achievement and experience

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity youth development social-emotional learning restorative practices and culturally responsive pedagogy

• Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and BTWA including a resolute belief in the potential of every student

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of teaching experience with a proven track record of student achievement

• Experience in an urban high-expectations and/or charter school setting

• Familiarity with elementary visual arts curricula interdisciplinary planning and arts integration strategies

• Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners including ELs and students with IEPs

• Familiarity with projectbased learning inquirydriven instruction or blended learning models

• Experience organizing student exhibitions performances or community arts initiatives

• Experience leveraging the arts to support early literacy numeracy and other forms of developmentally relevant and appropriate interdisciplinary learning.

Mindsets We Value

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset a very strong work ethic an inner drive for excellence and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment

Additionally we deeply value and are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate the following mindsets and beliefs:

• Mission-Driven: In addition to deeply aligning and embodying the mission and values of ECS and BTWA you believe in the brilliance and promise of all students particularly students of color and want to be part of their success story.

• Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback are deeply reflective on your personal practices and are constantly seeking to improve your craft.

• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible solutions-focused and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

• Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.

• Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself and others to the highest of standards and have a student-centric whatever it takes mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

Compensation and Benefits

At Elevate Charter Schools we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity and based on an individuals skills education and years of experience relevant to the role.

The salary range for the Elementary School Art Teacher position is $50500 to $90000 commensurate with experience and qualification aligned to our organizational salary scale and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualification.

In addition to competitive compensation Elevate offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular full-time employees at a competitive value.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Mobility: Ability to move around the school building and classrooms attend meetings and participate in professional development activities.

• Vision: Clear vision to engage with students and stakeholders in a variety of settings and to monitor classrooms/school environments for student safety and well-being.

• Hearing: Ability to hear conversations and presentations in various settings.

• Communication: Clear speech to effectively communicate with teachers staff administrators and families/caregivers.

• Occasional Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as books and documents) bend or reach to access files or materials and stand for extended periods during meetings or presentations.

• Stamina: Ability to lead instruction across the school day with sustained energy and focus.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Elevate is a nonprofit charter management organization serving public charter schools in Connecticuts urban communities. Our scholars are 99% Black and Brown and Elevate deeply values inclusion representation and diversity across our staff.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to fostering a diverse inclusive and equitable environment for all stakeholders. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve.

If you have questions about the application process experience any challenges or need support completing your application please reach out to our talent team at We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.

Required Experience:

IC