Middle & Upper School Art Teacher

Friends’ Central School Overview Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 880 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood, and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood.

The exceptional faculty at Friends’ Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation, reflection, integrity, and a willingness to accept responsibility. From Nursery to Grade 12, our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, and flexible thinking, along with compassion. As they transform from playful children to skilled, self-possessed teenagers, they are always intellectually curious and engaged thinkers.

Friends’ Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life.

Middle & Upper School Art Teacher Friends’ Central School seeks a full-time Middle and Upper School Art teacher starting in August 2026. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep knowledge of the visual arts, have a strong understanding of the developmental needs of both Middle School (grades 6-8) and Upper School students (grades 9-12), be committed to the School’s Quaker values and mission, and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

They will also be an enthusiastic, dynamic, and innovative educator.

Responsibilities:

Teach four sections of Visual Art, 6th-grade, 7th-grade, and 8th-grade art classes, alongside one Upper School (US) art class each semester.

Build students’ skills in creative expression, visual literacy, art history, and various artistic mediums and techniques.

Foster an inclusive studio environment characterized by inquiry, exploration, safety, and active student engagement.

Contribute to the continuing development and innovation of the Middle and Upper School Visual Arts curriculum.

Manage studio spaces, including organizing, ordering, and safely handling art supplies and equipment.

Assess students’ progress and artistic growth in a timely, constructive fashion. Write narrative reports for each student.

Communicate effectively with teachers, advisors, and parents/caregivers regarding students’ needs and progress.

Collaborate with colleagues within the Arts Department and on grade-level teams.

Serve as a 6th-grade advisor to a group of 10-12 students, acting as the primary point of contact between home and school.

Participate actively in faculty committees, grade-level team meetings, and general faculty meetings.

Serve as a community leader by acting as a service project leader or student club advisor.

Chaperone field trips (including relevant Middle School trips and overnight student activities) and participate in events that contribute to the vibrant life of the  addition to having a professional and educational background in teaching the visual arts, candidates should possess the following:

A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Fine Arts, Art Education, or a related field.
3-5 years of teaching experience, preferably spanning both Middle and Upper School studio environments.

Deep knowledge of current pedagogical practices in art education, including experience with a diverse array of media (e.g., drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, or digital media).

Experience with Fiber Arts is preferred.

Ability to relate well to both middle and upper school-aged students, supporting their unique developmental and creative needs.

Strong interpersonal skills to relate effectively to parents, caregivers, colleagues, and the wider school community.

Willingness to understand and commit to the School’s Quaker values, mission, and testimony of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.

Ability to enhance the School’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity as outlined in our Diversity Statement.

A desire to be an engaged, visible member of the Friends’ Central faculty and community.

Physical Demands Physical demands include dexterity for office machines and supply operation, including but not limited to writing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and printers. Stooping, bending, reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

Please apply here. The application will ask for a resume, cover letter and three professional references.

Friends’ Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity, as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity
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