Elementary School Visual Arts Teacher

Springfield Public Schools (SPS), an urban school district in Western Massachusetts, is accepting applications and scheduling interviews for full‑time and part‑time visual art teaching positions at the elementary and middle school levels.

SPS students represent a diverse group of cultural, ethnic, and socio‑economic backgrounds. The district celebrates each student’s unique abilities and encourages a student‑centered approach to learning.

Qualified candidates must have state certification, strong visual art content knowledge, a passion for teaching, excellent interpersonal skills, and solid classroom management abilities.

• Meets and instructs assigned classes in the designated locations and at the scheduled times.
• Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of established district curriculum goals, establishes and communicates clear objectives to the students for all lessons, units, and projects.
• Prepares for classes assigned and provides written evidence of preparation upon request of the immediate supervisor as required by the teachers’ contract.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media consistent with the physical limitations of the location and the needs of student groups.
• Strives by instruction and action to implement the district’s philosophy of education, instructional goals and objectives, and performance expectations.
• Assesses student accomplishments on a regular basis; provides progress reports as required and communicates with parents when deemed necessary.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Diagnoses student learning challenges on a regular basis and seeks assistance from district specialists when required.
• Takes all necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Follows the SPS code of conduct for the classroom, develops classroom behavior rules that are enforced fairly.
• Plans and supervises assignments for paraprofessionals and provides written evaluations as required.
• Maintains an ongoing program of professional growth that satisfies district requirements and personal professional expectations.
• Takes an active part in the contractually approved teacher evaluation process, contributing to a mutual agreement concerning the evaluation results.
• Attends building and district meetings to promote communication and mutual decision making among staff during the extended day.
• Attends established traditional school‑sponsored activities (e.g., Back to School Night, Open House, programs, activities) as agreed upon by the building administrator and faculty consistent with the teachers’ contract.
• Contributes to decisions made by the district and building concerning budget, facilities, curriculum, and personal well‑being.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.

• Highly qualified with required competency in the content area.
• Appropriate content/program educator license (Visual Art) and grade level (PreK‑8) licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Bachelor’s Degree with appropriate license.
• Master’s Degree with appropriate content area license preferred and/or expected within 5 years.

Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. The district also prohibits retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal‑opportunity investigation.