Visual Teaching Artist

About Behind the Book:

Behind the Book is a literacy non-profit that serves students in high need NYC public schools.  Working with classrooms from Pre K-12, Behind the Book identifies books that speak to urban youth and partners with teachers to create immersive curriculum units by bringing the authors of those books into the classroom. Through a series of workshops, authors discuss their book and teach a genre of writing, encouraging students to see themselves as readers and writers and ultimately guiding them in the creation and publication of their own original writing and artwork. 

Job Summary

Behind the Book is seeking an experienced Art Teacher or Teaching Artist who will manage all aspects of art programming from conception through completion. The TA will conduct fun student-centered art programming that connects to the Behind the Book curriculum units in collaboration with the art team and program coordinators. The position requires travel to our partnering schools in NYC and requires vaccination to enter said schools, per government mandate.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Help maintain materials for all art programs.
• Conduct programs in Pre K - 12th grade classes
• Read the anchor texts
• Confer with program coordinators on appropriate art projects for programs
• Construct grade appropriate art instructions
• Confer with book coordinator on technical requirements of projects for books
• Write lesson plans and slide show presentations
• Help maintain physical and digital files of lesson plans, slide show presentations, samples, and resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in art education
• At least 2 years teaching art in an urban setting
• Creative and organized
• Excellent facilitation skills
• Able to work independently and collaboratively
• Passion for literacy, reading and books
• Fluent in Spanish (desired) 

Flexible schedule dependent on program schedule and weekly team meeting.