Middle School Art Teacher

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Middle School Art Teacher

IACS

Independence Academy Charter School is seeking a creative, collaborative, and student-centered Middle School Art Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. We are looking for an educator who believes art should be hands-on, meaningful, standards-based, and connected to the world beyond the classroom.
At IACS, we value strong relationships, authentic learning, student voice, and meaningful work. The ideal candidate will create engaging art experiences that help students build artistic skills while also learning to think creatively, solve problems, reflect on their work, and take pride in what they create. We are especially looking for someone who is excited to help students share their work with the broader community, build strong relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community partners, and confidently lead large classes with a diverse range of learners.

Major Responsibilities and Duties
The Middle School Art Teacher provides instruction that is hands-on, project-based, and highly engaging. The teacher will:
● Design and deliver visual arts instruction aligned to Colorado Academic Standards for grades 6–8
● Foster a classroom culture that values creativity, curiosity, craftsmanship, risk-taking, and student voice
● Teach a range of art skills and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, design, and mixed media
● Develop hands-on, project-based learning experiences that allow students to explore ideas, solve problems, and create meaningful work
● Guide students through the artistic process, including inspiration, planning, experimentation, creation, critique, revision, and reflection
● Ensure students are building strong standards-based art skills while also engaging in authentic and creative work
● Build and maintain a structured, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment that supports large classes and a diverse range of learners
● Differentiate instruction to meet varied student needs while maintaining high expectations and meaningful participation for all students
● Design opportunities for student artwork to be shared, displayed, and celebrated within the school and throughout the broader community
● Build and maintain positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members in support of student learning and school partnerships
● Connect art learning to real-world themes, interdisciplinary experiences, and meaningful audiences when appropriate
● Incorporate art history, contemporary art, and diverse artistic perspectives to deepen student understanding and context
● Use inclusive and culturally responsive materials, examples, and approaches that reflect a wide range of cultures, identities, and experiences
● Facilitate critique sessions and discussions to help students analyze, reflect on, and discuss artwork
● Utilize formative and summative assessments to evaluate artistic growth, skill development, and mastery of standards
● Collaborate with colleagues to support interdisciplinary instruction and school-wide initiatives
Leadership and Professional Growth
The Middle School Art Teacher will:
● Apply strong instructional practices grounded in best practices in arts education
● Reflect on teaching practices and use student work and assessment data to improve outcomes
● Participate in professional development focused on visual arts education, project-based learning, student engagement, and innovative practices
● Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen instructional coherence and interdisciplinary opportunities
● Contribute positively to a school culture built on relationships, flexibility, innovation, and continuous growth

What We Offer
At Independence Academy Charter School, we are committed to supporting educators as professionals and as people. We offer:
● Work–Life Balance: A four-day instructional work week designed to support teacher wellness, planning, and sustainability
● Comprehensive Benefits: Fully paid medical benefits for employees
● Professional Growth: Ongoing, meaningful professional development aligned to instructional best practices and teacher interests
● Leadership Opportunities: Opportunities to take on instructional leadership roles and contribute to school-wide initiatives
● Collaborative Culture: A supportive, team-oriented environment that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement

Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art Education, or a related field
● Valid Colorado Teaching License in Art (or ability to obtain)
● Strong understanding of artistic development and best practices in visual arts instruction
● Experience with, or strong interest in, project-based and experiential teaching
● Ability to provide strong standards-based instruction while fostering creativity and authentic student work
● Demonstrated ability to effectively manage large classes and support a diverse range of learners
● Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
● Strong organizational and classroom management skills
● Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (names, phone numbers, and email addresses) to:
Lisa Gonsalves, Executive Director – [email protected]
Becky Polniak – [email protected]
For more information about Independence Academy Charter School, please call (970) 254-6850 or visit http://independenceacademygj.com/.

08/01/26

Starting at $46,000 (0 years of professional experience) more based on years of experience