Art/Shop/Stage-Set Theatre Design Teacher (Begins Late August 2025)

Job Summary:

Francis W. Parker School is a renowned JK-12^th grade independent day school. Founded in 1901 on the tenets of progressive education, the school currently enrolls 940 students and employs 200 dedicated faculty and staff members who, in addition to assistant teachers, substitute teachers and coaches, work together to ensure that the school lives up to its mission to “educate students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.”

We are currently seeking an Art/Shop/Stage-Set Design Teacher to serve children in 1st through 12th grades with teaching assignments and responsibilities spanning the Lower, Intermediate, Middle and Upper Schools. The Art Teacher must be comfortable with developing and refining classroom curriculum that is rich and stimulating. Another aspect of this position is coordination of art curricula with central topic themes and stage productions. Parker’s progressive culture requires a high degree of cooperative activity as well as strong self-direction.

Essential Functions:

• Provide instruction in Stagecraft and Woodworking.

• Provide instruction in the proper use of materials and equipment, ensuring safe use.

• Implement progressive methodologies and curriculum development.

• Establish and maintain standards of student conduct needed to provide an orderly, safe, and productive environment in an activity-type classroom with many potential hazards.

• Design and build sets for stage productions.

• Manage stage crews for stage productions.

• Strike sets after the production closes.

• Coordinate production meetings with Upper School Performing Arts team.

• Maintain an inventory of all supplies and equipment. Make minor adjustments and request repairs to equipment as required.

• Demonstrate one’s own cultural competency and incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion in personal practice and curriculum.

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and sound judgment.

• Collaborate and plan with other teachers who share the same students.

• Attend weekly faculty meetings and serve on committees within the School.

• Maintain and improve competence through regular professional development activities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• B.A/B.F.A required, advanced graduate degree strongly preferred

• At least three (3) years of teaching experience

• Must possess skills in woodworking, 2/D and 3/D Art and light metals

• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and emotional maturity

• Familiarity with the ideas of progressive education

• A willingness to learn and improve professionally

Compensation:

Salary Range: $70,022 - $133,748

Faculty positions are paid on a step-level salary scale, commensurate with background and years of experience. Francis W. Parker School provides an excellent employee benefits program, including but not limited to: health and dental insurance, term and supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA’s), commuter benefits, and 403b retirement plan. Information on Parker’s comprehensive benefits package can be found here.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume. Click here to submit your application (no telephone inquiries please).

The faculty, staff and administration of Francis W. Parker School are integral parts of the School's community. Through their passion, dedication and commitment to the School's mission, they create and support an environment where exceptional child-centered learning can occur.

Francis W. Parker School is committed to cultivating a community of dedicated students, parents, faculty and staff, trustees, administrators and alumni, who acknowledge, respect, and esteem diversity in our school; and who reflect, through their presence, the diversity of Chicago communities and the wider world.

Francis W. Parker School is an equal opportunity employer.

About Francis W. Parker School

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