Founded in 1959 by David Schenck, The Schenck School was created to teach children with dyslexia-related learning differences that cause difficulty with reading and specific language skills.
For more than 60 years, our mission has remained remarkably focused: build a solid foundation for dyslexic students and develop their rich potential. Our strategy to accomplish this goal is the focused, accelerated remediation of dyslexia using the highly effective Schenck School Reading Model designed from the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
While reading and writing are central to our curriculum, The Schenck School offers a comprehensive educational program for kindergarten through sixth grade to help students develop intellectually and prepare them to thrive in school and in life.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The art teacher is responsible for instructing students on creating, appreciating, and understanding the fine arts and helping students develop their artistic skills, creativity, and self-expression. This includes teaching drawing, painting, sculpture, and other new media. In addition, the art teacher collaborates with content area teachers on school-wide projects.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support the mission of the School.
Creatively adapt and implement lessons and materials to reach each student.
Understand and use appropriate teaching strategies according to each student’s needs.
Monitor, assess, and communicate student progress.
Cultivate and support a positive, supportive classroom environment.
Be actively involved in the School’s extensive professional development program, including internal and external professional growth opportunities.
Become a member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy as a Classroom Educator.
Assume additional school duties and responsibilities customarily shared among teachers or assigned by the Head of School.
Create a safe and supportive classroom environment that fosters learning and creativity.
Prepare age-appropriate lesson plans and establish course goals.
Demonstrate methods and procedures for students.
Observe and evaluate student work to determine progress or to make suggestions for improvement.
Stay up-to-date with new art techniques, technologies, and trends to enhance teaching methods and student learning.
Collaborate with other teachers and staff to integrate art into other subjects and school-wide events.
Confer with students, classroom teachers, parents, and Principal to resolve student problems.
Order, arrange, and maintain art supplies for the students and teachers.
Accompany students on field trips to museums or art galleries.
Assist in planning for and supervising students during school-wide fine arts events.
Assist parent volunteers in maintaining school-wide art exhibits.
Stay up-to-date with current research on dyslexia and attention challenges to better understand each student.
Meet regularly with other members of the Specials team.
Meet regularly with the principal.
Participate in continuing professional development and school-wide community events.
Perform other duties as assigned by the principal or Head of School.
Differentiate across grade levels.
Promote the unique creativity of neurodiverse students.
Leverage students’ unique strengths to reach their full creative potential.
Proactively integrate art curriculum with classroom curriculum.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
3-5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Prior school-related experience is a plus.
Skills & Knowledge
A passion for working with K-6 students with dyslexia
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to build strong relationships and work collegially with fellow teachers and administrators
Ability to maintain positive and proactive relationships with teachers, administrators, and parents
Experience with and knowledge of dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities
Knowledge of the Orton-Gillingham approach and/or other dyslexia-related remediation approaches is preferred
Proficiency with technology and an ability to integrate technology into the classroom
The Schenck School offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance, including long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with match. Teacher salaries are competitive and are regularly benchmarked with other independent schools.
The Schenck School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Schenck School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
The Schenck School expressly prohibits workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of The Schenck School’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.