Art Teacher at Maya Angelou Academy SY 24 -25

The Organization

 Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed — they will thrive! 

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

The Touchstone

At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

Position Overview

The Art Teacher will be expected to provide students with the environment, materials, and instructional expertise necessary to enable them to appreciate art in all its diversity and to develop their creative powers, problem-solving abilities, and craftsmanship in the production of works of art throughout the traditional school year and during the summer session. The tour of duty for this position is located inside a juvenile detention center.

Requirements

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Designing and implementing visual arts curriculum, including unit plans and assessments that are aligned both with Common Core standards and with the school-wide curricular framework at Maya Angelou Academy
• Implementing a dynamic and rigorous approach to art and design education
• Successfully using a backward design model in creating a curriculum with clear objectives and goals directly related to end-of-year benchmarks
• Demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the visual arts and have excellent experience in teaching and working with students
• Promoting scholars’ self-expression and exploration while deepening their knowledge and understanding of art, design, and art history
• Utilizing discourse and critique to press scholars' critical thinking about art and their practice
• Supporting students in developing a portfolio of personal artistic creations
• Regularly enhancing the school environment with thoughtfully organized displays of current student work
• Establishing contacts to exhibit student artwork in the community
• Leading scholar teams in enrichment activities to create additional artwork for the school environment
• Creating a classroom and school environment that features a rich diversity of resources, engages student interest, promotes student leadership, and stimulates student learning
• Having thoughtful approaches to teaching concepts and sparking student interest while also imparting essential factual knowledge
• Exposing students to skills and education requirements applicable to various art and design careers and trades,
• Managing administrative assignments effectively and with a high level of professionalism and integrity
• Participating in interdisciplinary team meetings for all students
• Modeling and contributing to a school culture of hope and high expectations for achievement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or subject field (required)
• Must have or be eligible for certification by OSSE in the appropriate content area (must obtain within one (1) year of employment)
• Experience working with incarcerated or opportunity youth (preferred)
• Familiarity with research-based instructional strategies
• An unyielding belief that with the appropriate support, coupled with high expectations, all students can significantly improve their academic skills and can develop pro-social and culturally normative behaviors that will enable them to succeed at school and beyond

Site Description

The Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings is a long-term juvenile facility located in Laurel, MD. Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings serves youth ages 13-21. The school is located inside New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

Salary and Benefits

Our salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, See Forever offers a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

See Forever is an equal opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.