Crane Country Day School seeks an enthusiastic and innovative art educator who thrives in a collaborative environment alongside the Upper School Art Teacher and the entire Lower School team. Art is a foundational pillar of a Crane education; we view the studio as a laboratory for experiential discovery and personal growth. Candidates should possess a passion for creative expression, art history, and diverse cultural perspectives. The ideal candidate demonstrates a genuine affinity for elementary school-aged children and a deep understanding of developmental art education.

The Lower School Art Teacher plays a central role in fostering creative confidence, visual literacy, and a sense of identity through artistic expression.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum Design

• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate visual arts curriculum that aligns with Crane’s mission of experiential discovery.
• Direct classroom activities, including whole-group, small-group, and individualized instruction, to support a diverse range of artistic abilities and learning styles.
• Facilitate experiential learning that fosters authentic artistic expression and connects classroom work to real-world contexts.
• Encourage student voice, choice, and ownership in the creative process.
• Integrate diverse artists, cultures, and perspectives into the curriculum to reflect and affirm student identities.
• Incorporate a range of media, including digital tools, when appropriate.
• Create a classroom environment that supports risk-taking, resilience, and creative confidence.

Student Growth & Assessment

• Assess student progress in artistic skill and creative thinking through regular, grade-appropriate evaluations.
• Maintain transparent communication regarding student growth through the learning management system, conferences, and direct outreach to families.
• Support students in reflecting on their creative process, perseverance, and growth.
• Manage a dynamic studio environment rooted in risk-taking, respect for materials, and a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Social-Emotional Well-Being

• Foster creative confidence, resilience, and a willingness to take artistic risks.
• Support students in expressing identity and emotions through art.
• Build a studio culture grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect.
• Reinforce Crane’s values through artistic exploration and reflection.

Collaboration & Professional Responsiveness

• Partner with Upper School Art instructor to create a cohesive and intentional K-8 art program for Crane.
• Organize exhibitions, showcases, and field trips that celebrate student work.
• Partner with faculty and staff "Staffulty" on curriculum planning and student support initiatives to ensure a cohesive student experience.
• Collaborate with homeroom teachers to integrate art with classroom units when appropriate.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to refine instructional practices and artistic knowledge.
• Coordinate potential art opportunities in the Santa Barbara community. Some examples are showcasing student artwork in locations around town or leading a group to participate in an art-related activity outside of school.
• Participate in co-curricular opportunities, staff meetings, and other campus duties (recess, lunch, assemblies, and class trips) as assigned by the Head of Lower School.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject matter required. An advanced degree or teaching credential/certificate preferred.
• A minimum of three years or more of teaching experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, positive relationships with students.
• Commitment to ongoing reflection and growth as an educator and as an active artist.
• A candidate with fluency in a language other than English, preferably Spanish is desirable but not required.

Physical and Other Requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking in the classroom and throughout campus.
• Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.
• Regularly sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.
• Work in person on-site.
• Background investigation required via Live Scan.
• TB assessment required for employment in CA schools.

Work Environment

Crane Country Day School is an equal-opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ educators, and educators from historically underrepresented communities in independent schools. Crane is committed to sustaining a diverse and inclusive community where each member is respected and valued.

About Crane Country Day School

Crane Country Day School, ideally located in the small seaside village of Montecito, is just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles and 5 minutes south of Santa Barbara. Crane is the oldest independent school in the area, having just launched its 85th anniversary celebration. It is a co-educational day school serving 250 children. The Lower School (grades K-5) and the Upper School (grades 6-8) are both located on the same sprawling yet cozy 11-acre campus that is one of the school's best-known attributes. Honoring its founder's vision, Crane School is dedicated to providing an experiential education characterized by a thoughtful balance of academic challenge and creative expression. We thrive as a community that builds character and confidence, while celebrating the joy in learning.

Connections working at Crane Country Day School