Art Teacher - The Schools at Marygrove - Elementary

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Art Teacher              

Location: The Schools at Marygrove - Elementary

Salary: $51,071 - $79,000

Reports to: Principal or Designee

Bargaining Unit: Detroit Federation of Teachers

Benefits Eligible: Yes

In accordance with the Agreement between Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced.

Position Summary:

We are looking for a successful and innovative art teacher who is interested in joining the team at Marygrove Elementary, serving children in grades K-2 in its first year beginning in fall 2022. Applicants must be ready to think creatively about teaching and learning; explore strategies for using art and design to engage students in conversations about equity and justice; and care deeply about all students, their families and communities, and the city of Detroit. We seek an individual who will help young children understand the role of art and artists in social movement, and who will support children to explore the arts as an opportunity for self-expression, community-building, and activism.

The Schools at Marygrove are a new, one-of-a-kind preK-12 campus serving students in the city of Detroit, housed at the historic Marygrove College Campus. The elementary and high school are a special collaboration between the Detroit Public School Community District and the University of Michigan. While the high school will be entering its fourth year and graduating its first cohort of seniors in 2022-23, the new Marygrove Elementary will be openings its doors for the first time to welcome children in grades K-2.

Marygrove Elementary will provide opportunities for young learners to:

• explore their curiosities and interests through projects, play, and other active learning activities;
• nurture and affirm their cultural, linguistic, and other identities;
• grow their capacity to tend to their own social and emotional wellbeing while also caring about and supporting the wellbeing of their fellow community members;
• build the foundation required to understand themselves as important, powerful people who can and will use their education to improve social conditions and to advance justice.

Ultimately, the vision for the Schools at Marygrove are to engage learners in a coherent birth through Grade 12 curriculum in which our students learn to use their academic learning to improve lives, strengthen communities, and make the world a safer, more just, more loving place.

The school is also home to the Teaching School at Marygrove—a unique residency partnership between DPSCD and the University of Michigan to train and support aspiring and early career teachers. Teachers at the school will host aspiring teachers (pre-service interns) as they pursue their teacher certification.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools or an equivalent agency. 
  • Successful candidates who possess degrees beyond a bachelor’s degree will be eligible for the appropriate salary differential.
• Must possess a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate or Michigan Temporary Teaching Authorization (T2EA), Art (LX), (LQ) endorsement(s).  
• Ability to relate warmly and positively with students, colleagues, families, and community members. 
• Ability to work with other professionals in a collaborative manner. 
• Commitment to using teaching and learning to advance social justice and the ability to identify and intervene on sources of inequality.
• Familiarity with and/or or eagerness to learn about project-based and place-based education.
• Strong desire and commitment to supporting the development of novice teachers.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to motivate a group of students through creative, hands-on, authentic pedagogies.
• Familiarity with and/or eagerness to learn about restorative approaches to classroom management and trauma-informed practice.

Essential Functions

1. Communicate effectively and collaborate successfully with other staff members, families and caregivers, and community members. 

2. Offer rigorous, engaging curriculum aligning with State of Michigan standards and guidelines, and provide creative and varied means of assessment for students. Design and/or implement curriculum (in alignment with the school’s mission, vision and District programming) based on the needs of students.

3. Develop and contribute to an environment and climate that is safe, welcoming, and supportive for all members of the campus community. 

4. Offer input and assist grade level, subject matter, IEP, and leader led conferences and meetings. 

5. Ensure families and other community members are meaningfully integrated into school life and curriculum.

6. Support the development of novice teachers and the advancement of the teaching profession by hosting and mentoring pre-service teachers.

7. Grow professionally by engaging and leading professional development programs.  

8. Communicate proactively and sensitively with parents and caregivers about student progress and academic achievements.

9. Counsel and support students during academic and adjustment problems.

10. Collect and maintain accurate attendance, progress reports, and grade records. 

11. Evaluate, assess, and monitor student progress on a periodic basis. Adjust instruction based on these evaluations and provide individualized support to students as needed. 

12. Instruct students on proper use of equipment and materials.

13. Maintain inventory of instructional materials, aids and equipment. 

14. Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or designee. 

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

All DPSCD employees are required to disclose their vaccine status, however COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged but not required.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions opportunities. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.