Job Description

Overview of School 

Park Day School offers an outstanding co-educational K-8 program to over 335 students. The school community embraces the ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of Oakland, is rooted in the tenets of progressive education, and reinforces collaborative, interdisciplinary learning in context. Our student-centered approach cultivates deep thinkers and compassionate and courageous citizens who shape a more equitable and sustainable world. Park Day’s community outreach program collaborates with public schools and community groups to create meaningful service-learning opportunities for our students. Our historical and park-like four-acre campus is located in the vibrant Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, CA. 

Overview of the Position

Reporting to the Middle School Director, the school seeks vibrant teachers who bring creativity and innovation to their teaching practice. The dedicated Middle School Team collaborates with engaged students to create a dynamic and joyful learning community that ensures that students master both academic and interpersonal skills. We provide guidance to ensure that students maintain their love for learning as they learn to advocate for themselves and others. Middle School teachers dive into current events with students and arm them with knowledge and help them find their voices to speak out and act when presented with unfair or unjust acts. 

The Middle School Art Teacher is responsible for providing a dynamic, progressive, and integrated visual arts experience within a collaborative interdisciplinary program that includes Art, Drama, Math, Music, History, English Language Arts, Spanish, Science, and Physical Education. This role includes curriculum development, student advising, assessment, and parent communication. The curriculum emphasizes artistic exploration, creative expression, and technical skill development, engaging students in a range of media and artistic techniques while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and visual literacy. In addition to foundational art instruction, the teacher will incorporate 21st-century skills, contemporary art practices, and connections to current events and student interests. Candidates should be prepared to deliver an inclusive, inquiry-based, and innovative visual arts program that nurtures students’ creativity and confidence as artists.

Middle School teachers are responsible for the daily instructional delivery of their subject-specific curriculum that aligns with the school’s mission and vision. Middle School teachers teach classes each day, support an advisory group (of approximately 12 students), lead advisory meetings/activities for twenty-five minutes each day, function as the liaison between home and school for each advisee, and have other Middle School duties as assigned. 

This person will join a growth-oriented and collaborative learning community committed to the school’s mission and core values. Class size is between 20-22 students. The hiring process will include a screening interview, with finalists returning for a demonstration lesson and secondary interview. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Continuously develop and refine the visual arts curriculum in collaboration with the Middle School team and K-4 art teacher, ensuring a cohesive and developmentally appropriate program.
• Collaborate with the entire middle school faculty to support students socially, emotionally, and academically, fostering program continuity and cross-disciplinary connections.
• Conduct ongoing student assessments and provide narrative progress reports twice a year.
• Communicate effectively and collaboratively with students, families, and colleagues to foster a strong learning community.
• Contribute to the broader school community through departmental and committee work, teaching electives, supervising lunch and break periods, attending staff meetings, and participating in school-wide events.
• Plan and teach engaging, inquiry-based art lessons that encourage creativity, experimentation, and critical thinking.
• Inspire students to develop artistic skills, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for visual arts.
• Participate actively in curriculum development, interdisciplinary projects, and task force initiatives when necessary.
• Perform necessary administrative tasks and attend required meetings and school events.
• Engage in reflective practice and professional growth activities to enhance teaching effectiveness and stay current with best practices in arts education.

Compensation:

Salary and benefits will be based on qualifications and experience. Benefits offered include employer-paid medical with Kaiser, dental insurance, and more. We also have a calming, beautiful campus where you can enjoy a discounted lunch from our school caterers.

How to Apply: Email jules.greene@parkdayschool.org with a cover letter and resume

Park Day School believes strongly in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We seek to identify and hire a greater number of faculty of color to serve as role models for all students. We strive to foster a diverse campus community, which recognizes the value of all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, family-care status, marital status, veteran status, disability or socio-economic background.

The qualified candidate will/must:

• Have expertise in teaching Art.
• Have progressive educational theory and practices. 
• Be culturally competent.
• Have at least two years of exemplary classroom teaching experience. 
• Have a working understanding of developmental/constructivist teaching practices and social-emotional learning.
• Able to successfully instruct and differentiate for students at different ability levels and multiple intelligences. 
• A love of learning and desire to work with children as a facilitator of learning.
• A degree with a major in education, or subject-specific field.
• A valid teaching credential is strongly desired. 
• A collaborative spirit.
• Have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Organize and manage a positive classroom.
• Teach and adapt an integrated curriculum.
• Understand how to work with a diverse student population, including some students who benefit from differentiated learning support.
• Be committed to social justice, equity, and diversity.
• Use a supportive and clear tone with students.
• Have experience with collaborative teaching.

About Park Day School

At Park Day School, dedicated teachers and engaged students collaborate to create a dynamic and joyful learning community for mastering academic and interpersonal skills. Students construct meaning and deep understanding through inquiry and discovery-based teaching. Our practices promote critical and creative thinking, artistic expression, and a commitment to diversity and social justice. In the spirit of partnership and service, students expand their perspectives through participation in the broader community. Continuing the legacy of the progressive education movement, Park Day School prepares students to be informed, courageous, and compassionate people who shape a more equitable and sustainable world. Our Campus and History Park Day School was founded as a progressive K-6 school by teachers and parents in 1976, and opened with 28 students and four teachers. By 1982, the student body had grown to 90 students, and Park Day moved to the Temescal neighborhood of North Oakland, CA. The school purchased a two-acre campus on 43rd Street in 1993. Today, our four-acre campus is often described as "glorious" and "a jewel." Mature trees, lush flower gardens, birds, squirrels, a ch ... icken coop, vegetable gardens and quiet niches are enjoyed by all. Swings, climbing bars, sandy play areas, a large all-weather playing field, multiple climbing structures and a shaded gazebo combine to provide an exciting and varied outdoor area for all ages.

Show more

Show less

Job Tags

Similar Jobs