Visual Arts Teacher-Ethical Culture

Who we are?

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Ethical Culture School, located on the Upper West Side at 63rd Street and Central Park West, is comprised of approximately 450 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 80 faculty members.

What is essential about working at our school?

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. 

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. 

Position Summary
We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced visual arts teacher who is committed to progressive education, who considers ethics and social justice to be at the core of their work with students and colleagues and who will contribute to the success of all students, to join our community. The art program integrates with classroom teachers and special subject teachers throughout the school year. 

This is a one year leave replacement position for grades 3rd-5th.  The role will begin on September 1, 2026  and is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency). The hiring range will be  $75,261- $184,830.

Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities

The Visual Arts Teacher responsibilities will include: 

• Guiding students through the creative process for all projects, and also ensuring that the artwork is properly displayed throughout the school;

• Maintaining classroom art equipment and ordering supplies;

• Teaching a ceramics class for each grade, including proper clay techniques and independently firing a kiln

• Collaborating with colleagues and various constituents on projects throughout the school including but not limited to projects, musicals, STEAM, and Harlem Renaissance;

• Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;

• Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians through written narrative reports for each student twice a year;

• Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations;

• Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth; 

• Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;

• Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;

• Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; and

• Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.
  
  

Position Requirements
The successful incumbent will possess:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Art, Art History, Art Education (a Master’s degree is strongly preferred); 

• At least 5 years experience as an elementary school art teacher;

• Experience teaching ceramic hand building techniques, as well as firing and maintaining a kiln;

• A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;

• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community; 

• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;

• Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills; 

• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback; 

• The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks; 

• A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools); 

• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and

• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. 

EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.