Position Overview

The role of the Art & Design Teacher is to develop curriculum consistent with the MYP Design Subject Guide and design of units of inquiry relating to technology and design. This position supports and implements the daily program in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the School under the supervision and direction of the Division Director and the Head of School.  Description is subject to change without notice as the School's needs may require. The Art & Design Teacher works to implement the IB-PYP and IB-MYP Curriculums within the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

The ideal candidate will be a lifelong learner with an innovative mindset, a wide range of technical skills in product and/or digital design, and a track record of encouraging and supporting students to pursue their individual and unique interests and make transdisciplinary connections in design and related fields. The individual will model and promote the IB learner profile and teach across a range of ages and abilities.  The Art & Design Teacher usually has a background in visual arts (or dance, engineering, science, design, etc.)  

Role & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Teach and develop MYP Art & Design courses in Grades 6, 7, 8. Potential elementary support as needed.
• Review and modify  written curriculum in IB Art and Design in collaboration with the IB MYP Coordinator and Lead Atelierista. Assess students according to the requirements of the MYP Design and Art Subject Guides, and maintain a gradebook in Toddle.
• Research opportunities to bring learning into the broader community through volunteer work, guest teachers, experiences and community partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with the Atelierista, the Pedagogical Leadership team, the IB-Coordinator, faculty, the Technology Coordinator, and IT Systems Administrator to optimize learning outcomes.
• Integrate the 100 languages of students, especially digital and technological languages in the Design Curriculum, e.g. graphic design, coding, robotics, etc. Collaborate with other Departments and colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units and inquiries across the 100 languages.
• Participate in and actively contribute to the Professional Development of all faculty to encourage learning through creative expression, documentation and the cultivation of the environment. 
• Contribute to community learning events (Parent Education, Spotlight Series, Admission Events, the Exhibit, etc.) by highlighting creativity in student learning through student work. 

As a La Scuola faculty member, you are committing to:

1. Designing, planning & implementing appropriate curriculum goals and long-term projects within the IB-MYP guidelines, including but not limited to:

• Creating a flexible program and class environment favorable to individualized learning and personal growth.
• Using structured purposeful inquiry as the leading vehicle for learning.
• Teaching in English and Italian or Spanish as applicable.
• Balancing the needs of students with different Italian and English language skills.
• Using technology to enhance learning.

2. Setting educational and developmental goals for the children, both as a group and individually, including but not limited to:

• Establishing a personal connection with each student
• Striving to understand each child’s individual temperament and evolving developmental level/needs.
•  Supporting each child’s social, emotional, academic, language, cognitive, and physical development within the context of La Scuola's Reggio Emilia inspired “pedagogy of relationships.”
• Encouraging positive social interactions among children and guiding children towards more appropriate behavior.
• Participating in and supporting the school’s positive behavior policy and general ethos of respect for all.
• Promoting international-mindedness and encouraging students “to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”
• Balancing the necessity of classroom rules and norms with the need to respond to specific individuals appropriately (i.e., balance the needs of the group with the needs of the individual).
•  Incorporating each child’s current needs into planning for the overall group curriculum/ activities.
• Assessing each child’s progress frequently and accurately throughout the year.
• Assessing the group dynamic on an ongoing basis, as well as individual academic progress toward group and individual goals as required.
• Reporting on students’ progress along the continuum and as compared with the learning outcomes and IB PYP Scope & sequence.

3. Preparing the environment (indoor and outdoor) so as to support the educational objectives/goals including, but not limited to:

• Maintaining a provocative and thoughtful environment to support the Reggio Emilia inspired learning goals.
• Following classroom environment guidelines and La Scuola high standards in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and beautiful classroom.
• Making the learning process visible through documentation of student  work
• Providing different activities, materials and projects for learning and exploration.

4. Establishing and maintaining a personal connection with each parent, child's family, including:

• Seeking to understand the family needs, styles and priorities for their child in the school.
• Conducting professional and insightful parent/teacher conferences (assess students ahead of time, pinpoint areas of concern, if any, and have all written materials prepared and printed out prior to the conference).
• Communicating individual and group accomplishments and projects (interests, pursuits) in a timely manner through Toddle, email, conversations, newsletters, and other documentation.
• Participating in all-school community events.

5. Maintaining open lines of communication with students and families.

• Keeping a constant record of expectations, learning activities, assessments, deadlines, rubrics and feedback on Toddle.
• Communicating directly with students and parents via email to provide necessary information on the student’s progress.

About La Scuola International School

La Scuola International School is the only Reggio Emilia inspired, International Baccalaureate (Early, Primary and Middle Years) and Italian Language Immersion school in the world. Teachers are researchers and are supported with robust Professional Development opportunities throughout the year. Learning is a part of everything that we do, not just what happens in the classroom. While our school experience is rooted in highly regarded curricula, the magic of La Scuola is more than what we teach. It is how we teach and learn, which is truly a way of living, thinking, and interacting with the world. To learn more, please visit us at www.lascuolasf.org. Founded: 2002 Number of students: 465 Locations: San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Milano, Italy La Scuola International School is an independent non-profit school accredited by NAIS, CAIS, WASC and CIS and is one of two Italian schools recognized by the Italian government in the United States.

Connections working at La Scuola International School