Co-Teaching Artist

Co-Teaching Artist with By Discovery, Art Enrichment Program

Summer 2023 & 2023/24 School Year

The Co-Teaching Artist position is a wonderful opportunity for those who are passionate about their art practice and enjoy working with children, grades K-5. Preferred applicants have teaching or teaching assistant experience for 1 or more years and an undergraduate degree in art or art education. Preferred applicants will also excel in 3 of the following studio arts: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage/mixed media, ceramics, sculpture and fiber arts. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be both caring and comfortable helping children problem solve, in relation to a project or by encouraging prosocial behavior when children experience disagreements. Promoting kindness and safety, in the studio and at play (indoors or on the playground), is especially important.

Position Requirements:

1. Work independently and as part of a team to develop and document (via Google docs/sheets/slides) engaging, skill building, process-based art projects with Lead Educators, Co-Teaching artists and the Program Director via weekly meetings (2 per week, 1.5 hours each)
2. Create and share slide presentations to introduce students to artists, artwork, concepts, techniques and to facilitate discussions
3. Create art project samples to motivate students and to create a benchmark for project goals
4. Clearly demonstrate techniques, supply usage, and project clean-up steps for each lesson presented
5. Submit project supply lists for approval and purchase by the Program Director
6. Communicate closely with Program Director and with By Discovery families via email to share information about special project needs, scheduling changes such as field trips, special exhibition opportunities, changes in the child pick-up location, and other topics that arise, including behavior management strategies if needed
7. Supervise and support the Teaching Assistant/Volunteers in their responsibilities (project preparations, project assistance, student clean-up, supervision of snack, outdoor play, etc.)
8. Take student attendance daily and verify absences with parents/caregivers or the administration if needed
9. Complete an accident report should there be a student injury and share with the Program Director, School Principal and Parent/Caregiver
10. Document student artwork and share with the Program Director to post on social media
11. Be a mentor and promote kindness and safety in the studio and on the playground
12. Encourage prosocial behavior and redirect students who lose focus
13. Complete weekly timesheets (via Google spreadsheets) for payroll
14. Be willing to engage in other capacities that will facilitate the safe and efficient delivery of the program
15. Candidates must submit to a background check and participate in First Aid Training for Certification.
16. Must be willing to make a commitment for summer 2023 and full school year:

a. June 12, 2023 through June 4, 2024

OR

b. July 3, 2023 through June 4, 2024

Additional Qualifications:

1. BA or BFA degree in visual art or education OR can demonstrate ability in one or more of these areas

2. Strong work ethic (punctual, dedicated, engaged, focused)

3. Excellent rapport with children (enthusiastic, patient, nurturing, attentive)

4. Strong interpersonal skills (flexible, empathetic, strong listener, positive demeanor and can manage conflict)

5. Ability to climb 2 flights of stairs, with frequency, during child pick-up (dependent upon school location)

Summer Location: By Discovery Art Studio, 44 Lake St, Oak Park, IL

Days and Times: Monday through Friday

Summer Program Dates, 7-10 Weeks:

1. June 12 - August 18 (10 weeks, no camp July 4) or
2. July 3 - August 18 (7 weeks, no camp July 4)

Summer Session (can choose to work either, or possibly both sessions):

1. Morning session (8:30am to 12:30pm) or
2. Afternoon Session (12:30pm to 4:30 pm)

2023/24 School Year Location Options, Oak Park:

By Discovery Studio: 44 Lake Beye Elementary School: 230 N. Cuyler Lincoln Elementary School: 1111 S Grove

2023/24 School Year Dates:

August 23, 2023 (first day with students) - June 4, 2024 (last day with students) with option to continue for Summer 2024

This position requires on-site work at the studio/school, on-site work for weekly studio staff meetings, and work from home.

Art Studio/School Location Days and Times: Everyday, M-F, Part-time:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 2:50 - 6:20pm (3.5 hours per day)

Wednesday: 2:20 – 6:20pm (4 hours)

Project Prep: Some projects may require prep prior to the start of the session or may require a longer post project prep (photographing or displaying artwork, organizing drying racks, cleaning and organizing materials (1-2 hours per week)

Weekly Studio Staff Meetings: Lesson Planning (Mon): 1.5 hours per week & Project Samples (Wed or Thurs): 1.5 - 2 hours per week

Work From Home: lesson plans are typically written outside of meeting times and some samples are created or completed at home: estimate of 1-2 hours per week)

Estimated Total Weekly Hours: M-F Position: 23.5 hours

Estimated Compensation (W-2 employee, part time position): Approximately $21,050.00 Gross, see breakdown below:

Summer 2023: $20 per hour / Approximately $4,700 gross (for 10 weekly sessions)

School Year 2023/24: $20 per hour / Approximately $16,350 gross per school year (begins August 23, 2023 and ends June 4, 2024)

Work Calendar Notes:

1. By Discovery follows the Oak Park District 97 School Calendar. The 2023/24 School Year begins August 23, 2023 and ends June 4, 2024, unless there are school cancellation days added to the calendar
2. The position begins June 12th (10 week summer option) with training OR July 3rd (7 week summer option), with training.
3. Some holidays, school breaks and no school attendance days are non-work days and compensation is not offered, unless there are scheduled lesson planning days that are mutually agreed upon by the Teaching Artists, Lead Educators, and Program Director.
4. Summer hours include 7-10 weeks of summer camp programming and lesson planning for the 2023/24 School Year

Other Information:

Oak Park is accessible via the CTA green and blue lines

Please visit our website at https://www.bydiscovery.org/ to learn more about our organization

When applying for this position, please specify:

1. Your availability for summer

a. 7 weeks or 10 weeks
b. morning or afternoon session or both

2. Preferred Oak Park location for the school year:

a. Studio at 44 Lake b. Beye Elementary School: 230 N. Cuyler
c. Lincoln Elementary School: 1111 S Grove

To Apply:

Interested individuals may send an email with a resume and cover letter that specifically addresses the ways in which they meet the position requirements and qualifications to Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director, at jocelyne@bydiscovery.org. Based upon the quality of the responses and the qualifications of the applicant, individuals will be selected to interview.

By Discovery is a program of By Discovery, LLC that offers children opportunities for growth and exploration through creative project-based learning in art.