Visual Art and Design Maternity Leave Teacher

Title: Visual Artand Design Maternity Leave Teacher
Department/Location: Upper School Faculty, Visual Arts Department, St. Louis, MO
Position Type: Temporary part time, for up to 7 weeks
Summary
For up to 7 weeks, beginning January 2nd, Principia is looking for an experienced upper school Visual Art and Design teacher to cover a Maternity Leave. In this role, you will stretch students academically and creatively through a range of Visual Art and digital media classes. You'll be supporting students in developing and refining their analytical, critical, and creative thinking and expression.
Who We Are
At our award-winning pre-K-12 school in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.
At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child-intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.
Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.
Primary Responsibilities
Subject-Related Expectations:

• Emphasizes creative problem solving and Design principles through projects in a range of media
• Designs learning opportunities that mirror professional experiences in the fields of fine art, graphic design, and digital media
• Coordinates instructional methods with other Visual Art and media faculty, where appropriate
• Fosters learning environment which values diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Encourages a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential

• Handles paperwork and administrative details as needed including record keeping, emails, and accounting
• Develops interdisciplinary connections when planning lessons and willingly collaborates with faculty across the school
• Maintains a clean, safe, and productive studio environment including care for studio equipment
• Assist with software proficiency: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, Figma, and other industry-related relevant tools. Teach students how to use these programs effectively.

Work-Related Expectations:

• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community
• Establishes and maintains a classroom culture focused on student engagement and maintaining high standards of student behavior to create an environment of respect and rapport.
• Learns and implements strategies to develop 21st Century skills in students; places intentional emphasis on student engagement and transfer of learning
• Evaluates students' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, prepares progress reports
• Handles discipline situations in an effective manner that supports character growth
• Uses the Understanding by Design framework to develop and revise lesson plans and instructional materials
• Provides differentiated instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student
• Attends weekly school-led professional development sessions and regular field-specific professional development workshops and conferences

Core Competencies

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates' strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner
• Strategic thinkers: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.
• Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science; if not, then values-aligned
• Supportive of Principia's mission, vision, and values as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/mission
• Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred (in Education, Art, Design or related field)
• Teaching certificate preferred
• Documented teaching experience with high school students; proven ability to motivate students to excellence
• Advanced knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite; expertise with InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator. Knowledge of video editing software, iMovie and Final Cut Pro, also preferred.
• Command of a range of artistic media, allowing for flexible use of tools and materials
• Portfolio of professional and student work
• Background knowledge in visual literacy, multimedia, and traditional media
• Facilitates critiques, discussions, peer-to-peer feedback, and student presentations with an emphasis on critical thinking and effective communication

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.
Equal Opportunity
Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.
In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia-as an institution with a religious mission-gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.