TEACHING ARTIST

JOB DESCRIPTION: Teaching Artist

Location: Varies in DFW area

Reports to: Site Specialist

Department: Unified Delivery

Position Type: Part Time/Non-Exempt

Days: Mon-Fri

Hours: Varies

Supervision: No
 

About the Role: 
The Teaching Artist is expected to teach in various aspects of Big Thought's Unified Delivery department.  Occasionally, a Teaching Artist may facilitate Professional Development workshops and other special events.

About Big Thought: 

Big Thought equips youth to imagine and create their best lives and world. The secret that makes our work uniquely effective is the powerful combination of our social and emotional focus, experiential learning, community-centered partnerships, with a future focus. 

Throughout our 30+ year history of innovation, Big Thought has become a national model in arts education, out of school time systems, summer learning and juvenile justice intervention. Now, we’re one of six community partnerships in the U.S helping scale national best practices in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We take direct-to-youth programs and resources to communities with the greatest needs and share our evidence-based best practices with other nonprofits and organizations through a suite of consultation services including professional development, curriculum design and technical assistance. 

#Big Thought Way: 

Big Thought brings relentless optimism, innovation, and imagination to everything we do. We emphasize the need to center youth and use a collaborative, all hands-on deck approach to ensure that they are served well.  
 

About the Ideal Candidate:
Demonstrates a strong commitment to working with young people, especially those in diverse communities and neighborhoods across the DFW area. Skilled in managing learner-centered spaces, operating with a growth mindset.

What the Role Entails:

• Deliver high quality direct instruction to students ages 4-24 years old in alignment with Big Thought’s instructional framework of Six Dimensions of Quality (as instructed), Social Emotional Learning, and project-based learning.
• Consult and collaborate with educational coaches on Big Thought’s teaching practice as requested, working to incorporate coaching and training into instructional practice. 
• Perform administrative responsibilities, such as submission of written lesson plans, assessments, teaching schedules, and supplies.
• Plan, document, submit, and implement lessons in collaboration with Big Thought staff that include co-teaching, modeling for novice instructors, scaffolding lessons, engaging learners with a variety of abilities, employ specific skill development within the Creator Archetype, and are learner centered.
• Attend content areas for campus training, professional development opportunities or team meetings that uphold best practices.
• Perform other functions that may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum two years’ experience teaching discipline in an instructional setting.
• An understanding of lesson planning, scaffolding lessons, and engaging learners. 
• Strong oral/written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work schedule. Hours of work may require after-school hours.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
• Reliable transportation
   

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

To perform the duties of role successfully, you may regularly be required to: sit, stand, or stare at computer screen for long periods of time; participate in external activities; use various office equipment, some manual; work in environment with loud sounds, multiple distractions, and interruptions; be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures on occasion.
 

Note:

WE VISUALIZE A WORKPLACE THAT PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE.  WE BELIEVE A BASELINE REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION IS EVERYONE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT –REGARDLESS THE ISSUE AT HAND.

Employees of Big Thought are expected to participate in mission driven activities, meetings, committees, etc. BT is based on a team environment and an openness to always “lend a hand” as appropriate to another employee.

All employees are required to adhere to BT policies and procedures.  All employees may expect to perform duties as assigned. In addition, all employees may be assigned “other” duties in the spirit of teamwork.