High School Visual Arts Teacher

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

High School Teachers hold the primary responsibility for the implementation and development of Uncommon’s curriculum and the success of its students. Therefore, Uncommon Schools seeks teachers who are committed to continuously improving curriculum and instruction through collaboration as part of a grade-level and school team. We are seeking teachers for the following subject areas:

Visual Arts:

We are seeking a high school Visual Arts Teacher 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.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction:

• You’ll teach Visual Arts content across multiple fine art mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, with opportunities for advanced exploration and specialization.

• You’ll design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that build technical skills, artistic voice, and creative risk-taking.

• You’ll design coursework that supports portfolio development and prepares students for advanced study, exhibitions, or postsecondary pathways in the arts.

• You’ll integrate art history, cultural context, and contemporary artists into instruction to strengthen critical thinking and visual analysis skills.

• You’ll implement curricula and learning activities aligned to academic standards and Uncommon’s instructional expectations.

• You’ll design and administer formative and summative assessments to measure student growth and mastery of artistic skills and concepts.

• You’ll set assessment data and student work analysis to refine curriculum, differentiate instruction, and inform instructional practices.

• You’ll participate actively in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level planning, and school-wide initiatives.

• You’ll establish and maintain a structured, inclusive classroom environment with consistent rewards and consequences aligned to school expectations.

• You’ll hold high academic and artistic expectations and take ownership of student progress and outcomes.

2. School Culture and Daily School Activities:

• You’ll build strong, positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, valued, and supported as artists and learners.
   

• You’ll partner with students’ families to share progress, celebrate student work, and ensure appropriate resources are available to support learning.
   

• You’ll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, coaching, and reflective practice to continuously improve instruction.
   

• You’ll 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.

Required Experience

• 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.
• 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.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $56,000 to $77,000. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $56,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 

• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)

• Financial Planning

  • Retirement benefits available based on role eligibility

• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)

• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].