POSITION STATEMENT
Visual Arts Teacher

Start Date: August 24, 2026

OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Early Childhood-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks a Visual Arts Teacher within a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars – diversity, equity & belonging; global social impact; and wholeness & wellbeing –  serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and  expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style. Brooklyn Friends School does not discriminate based on these characteristics or any characteristic prohibited by law and provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants. If you need an accommodation related to any part of the hiring process, please send an email to hiring@brooklynfriends.org.   

This short video gives you a glimpse into our contemporary experience.

THE POSITION

Brooklyn Friends School seeks a creative, dynamic, and equity-focused Visual Arts Teacher to join our Visual Arts Department. Rooted in the school’s Quaker mission and values, this colleague will foster a joyful, inclusive, and rigorous learning environment for students in grades 5–8, supporting their growth as empathetic, expressive, and socially conscious individuals.

Reporting to the Head of Middle School, the Visual Arts Teacher collaborates with Middle School and Upper School colleagues, learning specialists, and administration to plan, create, and implement curriculum. 

Demonstration of strong classroom management skills, an investment in continued professional growth, comfort using classroom technology, a commitment to promoting a diverse community, and the ability & willingness to teach Middle Schoolers & High Schoolers in a variety of mediums is expected.  The Visual Arts Teacher is responsible for ongoing assessment and communication with parents and the Heads of the Middle & Upper School about children’s progress. Additionally, all Middle School colleagues serve as co-advisors and are responsible for the overall support and wellbeing of a small group of students in their care. All Middle School teachers are expected to be active community members, sharing supervisory duties and general support and care of the school community.

Brooklyn Friends School's Visual Art classes are welcoming, vibrant learning environments that nurture passion for art, inspire creativity, develop skills through modeling & instruction, and support students as a part of their growth and development in our program. In grades 5 and 6, students partake in semester-long Studio Art and Ceramics classes, and in grades 7-10 students select from a variety of Visual Arts electives. Current offerings include: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Ceramics, Digital Photography & Video Production.

Primarily assigned to the Middle School, this role may also serve as co-advisor in the Middle School, responsible for the overall support and wellbeing of a small group of students in their care. All Middle School teachers are expected to be active community members, sharing supervisory duties and general support and care of the school community.  

Primary Responsibilities Include:

This position reports to the Head of Middle School. 

• Teach Visual Arts classes to students in Middle School & Upper School
• In collaboration with the school administration, the Visual Arts Department, teachers, and specialists, develop and implement a current and relevant middle grades Visual Arts curriculum with a focus on the visual arts, culture, and artistic skill development
• Work with visual arts colleagues to develop curriculum and community initiatives 
• Collaborate with the Visual Arts Department on campus-wide initiatives to promote the Art program including the annual All-School Art Show
• Develop, manage, and promote Art events and displays for Middle School, and partner with the Visual Arts department on events and displays in other learning communities
• Maintain current knowledge of Art program advances and trends through participation in professional organizations and professional development
• Maintain assessment and progress report work for Middle School students and families, in conjunction with other visual arts colleagues and teachers
• Attendance at Colleague meetings, curriculum meetings, department meetings, and some evening and weekend events

Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:

• Bachelor’s or graduate work in Art, Art Education, Visual Arts, or Education degree from an accredited university (or an equivalent combination of educational degrees and experience)
• Demonstrated experience and skill working in a non-profit, school, or educational setting, preferably with middle school aged students
• Ongoing commitment to professional development and growth in the field
• A strong commitment to issues of equity, inclusion, and social justice
• Ability to lift, stand, and perform light physical tasks required of the art studio space
• Monitor students during additional duties as assigned
• After-school hours are required for middle school, departmental, and all-school meetings. All Art teachers are expected to be active community members, sharing duties and general support of the school community.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• The desire and ability to continue to grow an Art program in the Middle School that is aligned with Brooklyn Friends School’s Quaker mission and values and our pillars of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging, Global Social Impact, and Wholeness & Wellbeing
• The ability to manage and oversee daily functions, programs, and classes connected to the Art curriculum
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt the Art program and teaching
• A growth mindset, with a passion for promoting the love of Art and the study of diverse mediums & artists 
• A creative, enthusiastic, and innovative attitude
• Expertise in classroom management
• A high level of organization and self-initiative
• A warm and welcoming demeanor towards children, families, and colleagues
• A willingness to collaborate with classroom teachers, school administration, visual arts colleagues, and other middle school teachers
• Ease with the use of technology, and the creative implementation of technology in the classroom and in performances 
• A desire to bring the joy and skill of Art education and conversation to young children 
• Ability to work with 2-D and 3-D dimensional work 

Physical Requirements of the Job: 

• Must be able to work in an office environment including prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
• Must be able to stand, bend over, twist and reach to access file cabinets, bookshelves and navigate office and workstation spaces.
• Must be able to ambulate through a classroom setting, including walking up stairs.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40lbs in the case of emergency.

Union Status: Union 

Salary Range: $72,675 - $97,200

This salary range represents the expected annual salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your education level, experience, and other job-related factors.

• Benefits: Colleagues may be eligible to participate in employment benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. Benefits are subject to change at any time and are subject to applicable plan documents

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Head of Middle School. Along with punctuating your interest and experience, your cover letter should also address how you feel that your professional journey aligns with our school’s Quaker values and pillars of social justice, social impact, and wholeness. 
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (with emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you). References will not be contacted without candidate knowledge and consent.
4. Completed online application.

Please email the above attachments as a single PDF to hiring@brooklynfriends.org, and put Visual Arts Teacher in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted after materials have been reviewed.

About Brooklyn Friends School

Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) is a thriving Preschool-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn with a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, service learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style.

Connections working at Brooklyn Friends School