Co-Teaching Artist

Co-Teaching Artist with By Discovery, Art Enrichment Program

2023/24 School Year & Summer 2024

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 Co-Teaching Artists and the Program Director via weekly meetings (2 per week, 1.5 - 2 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/Substitutes 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 school 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 the full school year and summer of 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)

Part Time: Monday through Friday

2023/24 School Year Location Options, Oak Park:

By Discovery Studio: 44 Lake St

Beye Elementary School: 230 N. Cuyler Ave

2023/24 School Year Dates:

August 23, 2023 (first day with students) - June 4, 2024 (last day with students)

Summer 2024 Dates:

June 10 - Aug 16

1. Morning session (7:30am to 12:30pm) or (8:00am to 1pm)
2. Afternoon Session (12:00pm to 4:30/5:00 pm)

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: 2:45 - 6:45pm (4 hours per day)

Wednesday: 2:15 – 6:45 pm (4.5 hours)

Project Prep: Projects require prep prior to the start of the session (organizing supplies for each table to have ready to go; precutting materials to size or other alterations) and post project prep (photographing or displaying artwork, organizing drying racks, cleaning and organizing materials. This is factored into the times above (students depart by 6pm each day, allowing Co-Teachers 45 minutes for end of day cleaning and project prep for the following day). The studio location has more flexibility than the Beye School location (Our room is used for meetings through 2:30 pm each day). For the studio, those who wish to arrive earlier for prep, rather than stay later the evening before, are welcome to revise their schedule with Program Director approval.

Weekly Studio Staff Meetings: SCHOOL YEAR:

Lesson Planning: Monday afternoons, 1pm-2:30pm (1.5 hours per week)

Project Samples: Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm (2 hours per week)

Weekly Studio Staff Meetings: SUMMER 2024:

Lesson Planning: Tuesday afternoons, 4:30pm-6:00pm (1.5 hours per week)

Project Samples: Thursday afternoons, 4:30-6:30pm (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 School Year Position: 25-26 hours

Summer 2024 Position: 28.5 hours

Estimated Yearly Compensation (W-2 employee, part time position):

Approximately $22,104 - $23,696 Gross, see breakdown below:

School Year 2023/24: $20 per hour:

Approximately $17,400 - $18,096 gross per school year (with an August 23, 2023 start date and June 4, 2024 end date)

Summer 2024: $20 per hour:

Approximately $5,600 gross (for 10 weekly sessions)

Approximately $4,704 gross (for 8 weekly sessions)

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. 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 and Program Director.
3. Summer hours include 8-10 weeks of summer camp programming and lesson planning for the 2024/25 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. Preferred Oak Park location for the school year:

1. Studio at 44 Lake
2. Beye Elementary School: 230 N. Cuyler Ave

2. Your availability for summer 2024

1. 8-10 weeks
2. morning or afternoon sessions

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.