Founding Elementary Visual Arts Teacher, 2027 - 2028

About the role

Thanks for your interest in Success Academy! Running a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools takes a village - families, children, teachers, staff and faculty, advocates, and supporters alike. We are growing fast in New York and expanding to Florida, and we would love to welcome you to our community! We work tirelessly every day to ensure children have access to a fun, rigorous, whole-child education regardless of zip code or economic status. When you join SA, you play a part in giving every student who walks through our doors a fair shot at reaching his or her potential.

Founding Elementary Visual Arts Teacher

We are seeking a results-driven Founding Elementary Visual Arts Teacher to establish and lead an exemplary visual arts program grounded in artistic excellence, technical skill, historical understanding, and creative expression.

This is an opportunity to build a rigorous, thoughtfully sequenced visual arts program from the ground up-one that develops scholars' artistic abilities, deepens their understanding of art across cultures and historical periods, and cultivates an enduring appreciation for visual art.

The ideal candidate is both a skilled studio practitioner and an exceptional educator who believes that young scholars are capable of producing work of remarkable quality when given strong instruction, meaningful artistic references, purposeful practice, and high expectations. They will bring a deep commitment to the visual arts and an ability to translate that expertise into engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction for elementary-aged scholars.

In this role, you will

• Establish a culture of artistic excellence. Build a visual arts program with high expectations for craftsmanship, technique, attention to detail, and thoughtful artistic decision-making.
• Deliver a rigorous visual arts curriculum. Deliver a coherent, developmentally sequenced program that builds foundational skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media through explicit instruction, demonstration, guided practice, and independent creation.
• Teach art through historical and cultural context. Introduce scholars to significant artists, artistic movements, visual traditions, and works of art across cultures and historical periods. Help scholars understand how artists communicate ideas, respond to their environments, and shape the world around them.
• Develop visual literacy and critical thinking. Teach scholars to observe closely, analyze works of art, discuss artistic choices, interpret meaning, and articulate thoughtful responses to their own work and the work of others.
• Produce work worthy of exhibition. Establish clear standards for artistic quality and guide scholars through drafting, revision, critique, refinement, and presentation. Curate school-wide exhibitions and prepare scholars' work for appropriate community showcases, competitions, and external exhibitions.
• Build a strong artistic community. Engage families through exhibitions, family art experiences, and opportunities to celebrate scholars' artistic growth. Build connections with local artists, galleries, museums, and arts organizations where they enrich scholars' learning.
• Collaborate and continuously improve. Engage in professional development, seek and apply feedback, collaborate with fellow visual arts educators across the network, and continuously refine curriculum and instruction in pursuit of excellence.

We invite you to apply if you

• Hold high standards for artistic excellence. You have a discerning eye for quality and a strong understanding of what makes artwork technically accomplished, thoughtfully composed, expressive, and original.
• Bring substantial visual arts expertise. You have a strong background in studio art, visual arts education, or a related discipline, with demonstrated knowledge of foundational artistic techniques and processes.
• Understand art in historical and cultural context. You can connect studio practice to artists, artworks, movements, traditions, and ideas, helping young scholars develop a meaningful understanding of art beyond the act of making.
• Have experience developing artists. Your portfolio, studio practice, exhibitions, teaching experience, or other professional accomplishments demonstrate a sustained commitment to the visual arts and a clear understanding of artistic growth.
• Believe in the potential of every scholar. You combine high expectations with patience, purposeful instruction, and a commitment to helping elementary-aged learners produce work that reflects their growing skill and understanding.
• Value reflection and continuous improvement. You welcome critique, study effective practice, and are committed to building a program that becomes stronger over time.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A degree in Fine Arts, Art Education, Art History, or a related field is strongly preferred. A compelling combination of professional studio practice, exhibition experience, subject-matter expertise, and demonstrated instructional effectiveness will also be considered.
• Fluency in English is required. Bilingual fluency in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole is preferred.
• Candidates should be prepared to share a portfolio of their own artistic work and, where available, examples of scholar work, curriculum, exhibitions, or instructional projects that demonstrate their approach to developing artistic skill and excellence in young learners.
• The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM* (when after-school club is not in sessions, Visual Arts Teachers' schedule will align with academic teachers.)

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. This position is not bonus eligible.