Upper School Art Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

The Classical Academy of Sarasota is looking to hire a Upper School Art Teacher (One Session) for the 2026-2027 school year. Please upload the following documents with this application here in ADP: 

• Completed application (attached)
• Resume
• All college transcripts
• Three letters of reference – including contact information
• Letter of interest explaining why you want to teach at TCA and in what position(s) you are most interested (1 page)
• Philosophy of education (1 page)

Applications without accompanying transcripts and all other required documents will not be considered. Candidates must thoroughly understand and support the mission and philosophy of classical education and The Classical Academy of Sarasota.

General Information:

Teachers are responsible for the education of their students. As examples to their students, teachers are expected to demonstrate high moral character and embrace the virtues of a democratic society. Teachers are accountable to the school administration. They are employed at-will and operate as professionals within the guidelines established by TCA and its Board of Directors. These guidelines provide that instruction be consistent with the classical trivium curriculum and sequence. 

Adherence to TCA’s classical mission and philosophy

The teacher is expected to:

• Understand and adhere to the principles of classical education
• Apply the principles of the trivium to his/her level of teaching
• Cover the prescribed classical curriculum and sequence
• Develop the intellect of each student to the utmost of his/her ability
• Develop the personal character of every student
• Have the ability to convey knowledge to young people
• Have a willingness to meet each child’s academic needs
• Promote high academic standards and establish a standard of excellence
• Engage all of their students in class discussions
• Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures
• Live a life in accordance with the virtues they teach, even outside of school
• Demonstrate loyalty to the school and its mission

Specifics of the position:

Teachers are responsible for the direct instruction of students (their primary duty), as well as planning  instruction and setting goals; implementing school approved curriculum; clearly and timely communicating standards, achievements and deficiencies to students and parents; teaching good study habits; monitoring and assessing academic progress; working with students, specialists, parents and administrators; maintaining complete and accurate student academic and disciplinary records; maintaining textbooks, instructional  materials and equipment; maintaining safe and orderly classrooms; maintaining and improving their own  professional knowledge and skills; following Board policies and directives from the school’s administration;  cooperating with the administration, all other employees, classroom assistants, parents and community  members in their common endeavor to educate students; setting an example of intellectual curiosity, logical thinking, self-motivation and self-government for students; and modeling competence, honesty, integrity,  personal responsibility and respect for others in every aspect of the job.

Command of the English Language

• The ability to speak lucidly and grammatically
• The ability to write lucidly and grammatically
• The ability to correct students in writing and in speaking

Teaching Abilities

• The ability to convey knowledge to young people
• A willingness to meet each child’s academic needs
• Promotion of high academic standards
• An unrelenting desire to improve students’ work and performance
• The ability to engage all students in the discussion

Maintenance   of   Classroom   Decorum

In order to maintain a classroom conducive to learning teachers must:

• Instruct students in the four classical virtues and ensure that they follow them
• Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures
• Require students to be respectful to their teachers and each other
• Require students speak in turn
• Use techniques prescribed by the school to ensure students attentiveness and participation
• Provide a positive environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process
• Tolerate no cruelty among students
• Be sensitive to problems as they are developing and intervene immediately
• Enforce the dress code

Knowledge of Academic Discipline(s)

• Middle School/Upper School: depth of understanding in one or more academic disciplines
• Lower School: breadth of understanding across the curriculum

Instruction & Record Keeping:

• Implements instructional activities that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences
• Identifies, selects, and modifies instructional resources, approved by the Dean, to meet the needs of the students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs
• Maintains effective and efficient record keeping procedures
• Assigns and grades class work, homework, tests and assignments
• Provides appropriate feedback on work
• Maintains accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Updates all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws, FL Department of Education, and school regulations
• Prepares required reports on students and activities

Student Growth & Achievement:

• Assumes responsibility for meeting his/her course and school-wide student performance goals
• Ensures that student growth and achievement is continuous and appropriate for age group, subject area, and/or program classification
• Observes and evaluates students’ performance and development
• Collaborates with peers to enhance the instructional environment
• Encourages and monitors the progress of individual students

Overall attitude:

• Willingness to take direction from the school administration
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, parents, and other professionals on a regular basis
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and school staff
• Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and community
• Meets professional obligations through efficient work habits such as: meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures in accordance to the Personnel Handbook (i.e. dress code, hours of reporting, etc.)
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the school’s administration
• All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established or as the result of organizational planning
• Attends meetings, serves on committees as appropriate, and is present at conferences, open houses, concerts, etc.
• Maintains professional dress code

Maintenance of Good Parental Relations

• Communicate regularly with parents regarding the standards, achievements and deficiencies of students
• Willingness to listen to the concerns communicated by parents

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, master’s preferred
• The ability and willingness to teach a range of subjects (Lower School)
• Demonstrated mastery of one or more academic disciplines (Middle/Upper School)
• Ability and willingness to teach the classical philosophy and sequence model as defined by the school
• Willingness to teach moral character and adherence to virtue as defined by the school
• The ability to speak and write clearly and effectively
• Conviction in the values of a rigorous liberal-arts education
• Ability to maintain an orderly classroom

Background Screening Requirement