Position Title: Teacher - Visual Arts

Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA)

Salary: Determined by the collective bargaining agreement and a comprehensive benefits package

Earning Days: Determined by the negotiated calendar

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

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

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 attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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 students 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 student growth
• Maintain organized classroom spaces, art inventory, student 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 students’ needs
• Implement a plan addressing all learning styles, which allows each student 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 students
• Evaluate student progress based on formal and informal assessment to inform instruction
• Show evidence of student growth
• Attend meetings and workshops to stay current with educational practice
• Establish and maintain timely, effective, written/oral communication with students, parents, building and district-level staff
• Create and maintain positive relations with students, parents, staff, and community
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop and display student art
• Provide a safe, effective classroom environment that is focused on learning and student growth
• Exercise good judgment in implementing school district policies, procedures, guidelines, and law
• Serve as a role model for all students and within the school community
• Work effectively with diverse students and staff of various backgrounds
• 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 student progress
• Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with students, 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

Other Duties

• Display physical, social, mental and emotional soundness in order to execute the duties of job
• Serve as a role model for all students and within school community.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents and the community in positive, supportive and cooperative ways
• Encourage the team spirit and contribute as a team member in the decision-making processes of the school as facilitated by the building administrator
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Contribute to extra-curricular activities and school programs, including recess duty as requested
• Maintain and promote school district goals and objectives.
• Comply with state, federal and District policies, procedures, rules, and the union contract
• Regular and on-time attendance is required
• Other duties as assigned

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required to be performed in the position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• LX/LQ K-12 art teacher certification and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education
• Successful experience teaching beginning art students
• Must have transportation to travel between buildings
• Must be highly organized to maintain effective records for multiple buildings

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful teaching experience working in a diverse setting preferred

• Demonstrated understanding of current research as to how children learn and the ability to motivate student to perform at their best
• Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction, by using a variety of styles, and inspire mixed culture and ability classes by creating challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all students
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload

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:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus

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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 students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing in the English language, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Grand Rapids Public Schools manages employment applications online.  Applications must be completed online at https://grps.tedk12.com/hire. No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position. Computer terminals are available in the GRPS Franklin Campus lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, for applicant use (Monday – Thursday during the summer).

Non-Discrimination

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 or veteran status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at 616 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org