Art Teacher (Candidate Pool) SY26-27 (California)

At Summit Public Schools, our mission is to collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen, concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. Summit is a leading network of public schools serving over 3,300 students across 10 schools in the Bay Area and Washington state.

About the Role

As a Visual or Performance Art Teacher, you will be part of a team dedicated to ensuring every student graduates ready to pursue a future of purpose and opportunity. You will teach through Summit’s research-backed model, focusing on deep learning projects and mentorship.

A student school day runs from approximately 8:00-8:30 a.m. to 3:00-3:30 p.m., depending on the school. Teachers' workdays begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and end no later than 5:00 p.m.

Responsibilities

• Project Time: Teach 90-minute blocks in high school or four 55-minute blocks in middle school per day. Most teachers instruct one course for an entire grade (e.g., 9th Grade Art) and see each section twice per week. Facilitate deep learning experiences that develop cognitive skills and apply content knowledge to real-world situations. Lead classroom discussions, coach students in skill application, and provide feedback.
• Between teaching blocks, analyze student data, build lesson plans, support school culture, and engage in personal development activities.
• Mentor Time: Build deep relationships by meeting daily with a small group of mentees for their entire time at Summit. Work on habits of success as a group and check in one-on-one with mentees. Advocate for and support mentees in developing their sense of purpose as self-directed learners.
• Self-Directed Learning Time and Interventions: Facilitate self-directed learning time and daily literacy or math interventions without the need for lesson planning. Provide student support, monitor progress, and check in with individuals or groups.
• Collaboration & Professional Development: Participate in all-faculty after-school meetings twice a week for community decision-making, professional development, and collaboration as a grade-level or subject-level team.

Requirements

• Commitment to uphold Summit’s values and ensure all students receive a rigorous, equitable education that prepares them for success beyond high school.
• A strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) by embedding these values into daily practices and decision-making.
• Teaching Credential in California or another U.S. state.
• Bachelor’s Degree (a Master’s Degree in Education is preferred but not required).
• Clear health and background check.
• Teaching experience in your subject is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• You want to be a world-class deep learning (project-based) teacher.
• You thrive in collaborative environments and are excited to work with mission-aligned, high-performing colleagues.
• You find positivity in shared successes.
• You’re excited to teach Summit’s common curriculum and assessment system, designed for teachers by teachers in partnership with learning scientists.
• You care deeply about working in intentionally heterogeneous schools and supporting all diverse students in reaching a fulfilled life.
• You’re eager to engage in professional development and grow as a practitioner in a network committed to continuous improvement.
• You have a growth mindset and see feedback as a positive.
• You are passionate about serving as a mentor and advocate for a group of students you’ll follow year to year.
• You’re open to having hard conversations to support students.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of benefits, including a retirement plan.
• 12 paid holidays and 3 weeks of organization-wide closures during the year.
• Access to multiple health, dental, and vision plans at 25% cost (Summit covers the remaining 75%).
• Employee life and disability insurance at no cost.

Pay

The salary for this position starts at $63,718 and goes up to $99,987, commensurate with experience and qualifications.