High School Visual Arts Teacher

Overview

High School Teachers hold the primary responsibility for the implementation and development of Uncommon’s curriculum and the success of its students. Uncommon Schools seeks teachers committed to continuously improving curriculum and instruction through collaboration as part of a grade-level and school team. We are seeking teachers for Visual Arts at the high school level to lead basic, intermediate, and advanced art courses for teenage students.

This role will oversee instruction across multiple fine art disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, with opportunities for students to develop a cohesive portfolio of work over time. Courses will balance technical skill-building, creative expression, and critical analysis, while integrating art history, contemporary art practices, and visual literacy.

• Instruction – Teach Visual Arts content across multiple fine art mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, with opportunities for advanced exploration and specialization.
• Design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that build technical skills, artistic voice, and creative risk-taking.
• Design coursework that supports portfolio development and prepares students for advanced study, exhibitions, or postsecondary pathways in the arts.
• Integrate art history, cultural context, and contemporary artists into instruction to strengthen critical thinking and visual analysis skills.
• Implement curricula and learning activities aligned to academic standards and Uncommon’s instructional expectations.
• Design and administer formative and summative assessments to measure student growth and mastery of artistic skills and concepts.
• Set assessment data and student work analysis to refine curriculum, differentiate instruction, and inform instructional practices.
• Participate actively in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level planning, and school-wide initiatives.
• Establish and maintain a structured, inclusive classroom environment with consistent rewards and consequences aligned to school expectations.
• Hold high academic and artistic expectations and take ownership of student progress and outcomes.

• Build strong, positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, valued, and supported as artists and learners.
• Partner with students’ families to share progress, celebrate student work, and ensure appropriate resources are available to support learning.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, coaching, and reflective practice to continuously improve instruction.
• Support school-wide responsibilities including morning arrival, lunch duty, student assemblies, class transitions, and after-school dismissal.

A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development. An enthusiasm for working with families in the best interest of students. A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives.

• A demonstrated interest in impacting K–12 students in urban schools and communities (1–2 years experience preferred).
• Academic expertise in early childhood education.
• Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in the state of NJ, but you do need to meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements (a final undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if you graduated prior to 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in the state of New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this role is…