Lead Instructor, Film (Lapl)

Lead Instructor, Film works with 2 CalArts Assistant Instructors (CAIs) to teach a 5-week digital film class for youth participants (ages 11-18) at CAP partner site Los Angeles Public Library, Central Branch. CAP Lead Instructors are responsible for creating and implementing a syllabus and lesson plans for the entirety of their 5-week class. This class is offered to students at no cost to them - all supplies are provided by CAP.

This position is highly collaborative and requires working closely with students, parents, staff at our partner sites, CalArts staff, and invited speakers/guests. As an essential liaison with partner sites, the Lead Instructor must be able to engage responsibly and sensitively with CAP partner communities. Lead Instructors report to Program Manager, Tara Burns.

Leads are scheduled to work up to 12 hours per week. This includes classroom time, prep time, and administrative time. Classes will be held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30am-12:30pm starting on Tuesday, July 9 and ending on Thursday, August 8.

Leads are also required to attend pre-program training with CAP staff which will take place on the CalArts campus from 10am-2pm on the following Saturdays: May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15, and June 22.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Developing engaging and innovative lesson plans and syllabi appropriate for middle and high school students.
• Co-facilitating weekly lessons with CAIs for the entirety of the 5-week class.
• Serving as a mentor to CAIs by involving them in the design and implementation of the CAP class, including creating opportunities for them to facilitate lessons over the course of the class.
• Attending scheduled trainings with other SPMAP Leads and CAI's before the start of the SPMAP program and throughout the course of the year. Attending required meetings with the SPMAP Program Manager.
• Managing all administrative aspects of the CAP class including:
  • Submitting class syllabi and lesson plans for review by Program Manager with a minimum of two weeks advance notice
  • Reporting attendance figures to the Program Manager.
  • Emailing parents/guardians with important class updates in a timely manner. Keeping the Program Manager informed about participant and parent interactions, cc-ing when appropriate.
  • Distributing and collecting participant risk and liability waiver forms at the start of class.
  • Participating in CAP's program evaluation processes
  • Coordinating with the CAP office on any visiting artists or field trips in a timely manner.
  • Accompanying CAP participants on field trips
  • Completing all incident report forms
• Working in collaboration with the CAP Program Manager to plan, coordinate and administrate the CAP class, including the maintenance and storage of supplies and equipment, installation and maintenance of software, recruiting CAP participants,, planning field trips and events.
• Building relationships of mutual trust and respect, and working collaboratively with the youth participants and their parents, with the CAIs, and with CAP partner staff. Facilitating conflict resolution if disagreements arise within the classroom.
• Logging hours worked in PayCom every two weeks and submitting timesheets on time.
• Responding to emails and phone calls from the Lead Instructors and CAP staff within 36 hours of receipt.
• Create a safe learning environment that encourages student participation, artistic risk-taking, and creativity
• Implement positive classroom management strategies including routines and community agreements/rules.
• Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment.

EDUCATION

• Minimum requirement: BA or BFA in an arts discipline.
• MA or MFA preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Computer skills with knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Meets, and Zoom
• Exceptional ability to work well with and effectively relate to K-12 students, university students, and other novice learners
• Ability to assess students' progress and skill levels objectively

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

EXPERIENCE

Candidates should have demonstrated experience in an art discipline (Bachelor's degree, MFA or related training preferred) and a minimum of 3 years experience teaching at the collegiate and/or K-12 level. The candidate should have a working knowledge of current California state educational standards, best practices in teaching, and federal and state regulations on child protection and welfare. The candidate should be comfortable collaborating and interacting in a professional, diplomatic and clear manner with others, including students, faculty, other Lead Instructors, staff, community partners, school administration and teachers. Strong oral and written communication skills, and an ability to work as part of a team are necessary. Candidates must also be committed to ongoing professional development as an arts educator. Ability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS (include but are not limited to)

• Exposure to toner, white out, cleaning fluids, office equipment, noise, talking, air conditioning and heating. Exposure to art materials such as paint, ink, charcoal, clay, etc.
• Prolonged periods of sitting
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Reaching above or below shoulder level for equipment, files, or materials
• Using computers
• Pushing/pulling open and closed doors, cabinets and drawers
• Kneeling, stooping and/or crouching to reach files or materials

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The actual essential duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary by department, reporting structure or other business needs. No inference should be drawn that a specific job duty, responsibility or qualification is non-essential by its absence from this description. This does not constitute a contract for employment CalArts management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.