VISUAL ARTS STUDIO TEACHER 

2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

MISSION OF THE SCHOOL: Compass Charter School is a safe and nurturing educational environment that honors the individuality of each learner. By engaging in a process of inquiry, our graduates will be equipped with the necessary skills to lead fulfilling personal and professional lives, including a developed sense of self, the ability to think in innovative and flexible ways, and the inspiration to make a positive impact on their community.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL: Compass Charter School is an inquiry-based, progressive elementary school that opened in the fall of 2014 in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. We are committed to providing an experiential and democratic elementary experience to all children, with intentional access for children who typically do not get access to progressive education (children with special needs, children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and English language learners).

Our Integrated Curriculum centers sustainability in all forms: environmental, racial, and economic justice. Our staff works interdependently in collaborative teams and engages in professional inquiry (instructional coaching, reflection, restorative and trauma-informed practices). Compass enrolls approximately 330 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Compass Charter School is seeking a Visual Arts Studio Teacher who is driven to provide a rigorous, justice-oriented visual arts experience to all children. The Compass Visual Arts Studio Teacher is highly reflective, collaborative, curious, and brings joy to their work with students and colleagues. The Visual Arts Studio Teacher teaches visual arts to students across the school and works in collaboration with the Studio Team and Classroom Co-Teachers to support the aesthetic development of the school environment and arts integration in the classrooms. The Visual Arts Studio Teacher engages fully in our professional development program, including instructional coaching, professional inquiry, and collaborative projects and committees. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree, Master’s Degree in Visual Arts Education preferred

• 3 or more years of relevant teaching experience preferred

• New York State Teacher Certification in Visual Arts Education

• Experience with integrating visual arts into the elementary curriculum 

• Educational philosophy aligns with the mission and vision of Compass

• Previous success in raising academic achievement of students within an urban community

• Reflective practitioner in a state of constant professional growth and a willingness to share their craft with others

• Commitment to integrating sustainability and the arts into core curricular subjects

• Knowledge of the school neighborhood

• Experience with co-teaching preferred

• Experience working with children with special needs in an Integrated Co-teaching classroom preferred

• Experience planning and teaching interdisciplinary units of study preferred

• Commitment to and knowledge of experiential and inquiry-based teaching and learning

• Commitment to diverse learning environments

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Experience collaborating with children, families, colleagues, and administrators

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach visual arts classes to all grade levels

• Keep self and organization current with visual arts education and integration practices

• Plan and implement professional development for teachers, focusing on visual arts integration in the classroom

• Assist teachers in incorporating visual arts into their classroom culture, unit plans, and daily lesson plans

• Collaboratively plan and implement interdisciplinary units with grade-level teams

• Supervise and support visual arts initiatives within the school

• Support school staff in designing aesthetically pleasing school environments

• Use NYS and National Learning Standards for the Arts to inform planning and assessment

• Use a variety of assessments to measure student learning and drive instruction

• Actively participate in Compass professional learning community (PLC)

• Use student performance data to tailor and differentiate instruction

• Actively participate in the school’s decision-making process regarding classroom interventions, curricular units of study, and school-wide initiatives

• Regularly communicate with families, students, and community partners

• Integrate the Compass CARES values into classroom culture, units of study, and interactions with staff, families, and students

• Integrate the real world and surrounding community into the curriculum

• Build and maintain positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues

• Maintain confidentiality with student information and records

• Create a positive and safe classroom culture and community

• Assist with operations as needed (e.g. supervise lunch and recess)

• Teach intervention groups as needed for the schoolwide MTSS  program

COMPENSATION

• Compass offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

• Salary range of 65K-127K commensurate with experience and education.

• Compass is a unionized charter school.