Fine Arts Teacher

Location: Marlborough, Massachusetts
Type: Full-time
Salary: $55,000 – $82,000

About the Role

We are seeking an innovative, student-centered Fine Arts Teacher to inspire middle and high school students through a dynamic visual arts curriculum. The ideal candidate will have experience teaching both middle school and high school learners and possess expertise in traditional fine arts and contemporary design practices. This educator will foster creativity, critical thinking, craftsmanship, and artistic confidence while helping students develop strong technical skills and personal artistic voices.

The role is integral to enhancing the overall student experience and requires a commitment to the various facets of school life at NEIA, including teaching, advising, coaching, and participating in extracurricular activities. Teaching and learning revolve around a competency-based education system aligned with NEIA’s Pillars: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Human-Centered Design, Integrated & Experiential Learning, and Belonging & Togetherness. NEIA’s values of equity, agency, and adaptability are deeply embedded in this approach.

NEIA’s educational process extends beyond traditional classrooms, encompassing advocacy groups, after-school activities, residential programs, service projects, expeditions, and internships. Teachers invest deeply in the school’s community by participating in the advising (Advocacy) program, contributing to social and emotional learning initiatives, and chaperoning weekend activities.

Responsibilities

• Embody NEIA’s principles of empathy, equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaboration in all activities.
• Develop engaging, educational, and integrated curriculum and lesson plans tailored to students’ interests and needs, incorporating digital design, visual communication, and creative technology.
• Teach four sections in Upper School, Middle School, or a mixture of both divisions with two or three different course preparations.
• Implement classroom management strategies to maintain student focus and productivity.
• Adapt teaching methods to accommodate students’ diverse needs and learning styles, aligning with individual learning plans.
• Regularly assess student progress through NEIA’s competency-based system, providing timely and constructive feedback.
• Build positive relationships with students to foster academic growth and development.
• Collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and counselors to enhance the student learning experience.
• Identify students facing learning or emotional challenges and work with the Student Support Team to provide resources.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding students’ performance and needs.
• Incorporate goals, competencies, and objectives into lesson plans that directly apply to students’ lives.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning in accordance with the school’s professional growth framework.
• Participate in coaching two sports/activities or the equivalent, and serve as an advisor for a group of 5–8 students.
• Lead or assist in two seasons of After-School Activities (ASAs) and one Club annually.
• Chaperone student events, assist with athletic events, supervise recess, and support ResLife weekend activities (approximately 2 shifts per semester).
• Attend and participate in school events, including Opening Meetings, Off-site Orientation Trips, Family Weekend, Monthly Professional Days, PIN Points, Dive into NEIA, Accepted Student Days, Admission Open House Events, Graduation, NEIA Expo, and End-of-School Meetings.
• Prepare lesson plans, update curriculum, and collaborate with colleagues under the supervision of the Dean of Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship & IDE Academy.
• Document student progress, write report notes, and assign learning extensions.
• Understand and apply human-centered design as a process and embed it as an ethos across the program.
• For on-campus staff: oversee evening hours, supervise students during weekends, act as the overnight on-campus presence, and manage weekend passes, permissions, and emergencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Fine Arts, Design, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Teaching certification or eligibility for certification.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience teaching visual arts to middle school and/or high school students.
• Experience teaching advanced Fine Arts, Fine Art Electives, and Portfolio Development preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in drawing, painting, mixed media, and studio art practices.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and ability to teach digital design concepts and creative workflows.
• Experience integrating technology into visual arts instruction.
• Knowledge of human-centered design and design-thinking methodologies.
• Expertise in at least one of the following: ceramics/sculpture, printmaking, or book arts/bookmaking.
• Active professional, artistic, or design practice preferred.
• Experience curating student exhibitions and managing studio spaces preferred.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to create a welcoming and supportive community for a diverse student body.
• Strong creative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work with professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, equity, honesty, and personal accountability.

Schedule

• 12-month, exempt position with vacation days aligned to school vacation periods.
• Standard work hours: 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (Monday–Friday).
• Extended hours during two seasons of sports/after-school activities: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday–Thursday) and 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (Friday).
• Availability for WIN Block (Monday–Thursday), barring other NEIA commitments.
• Approximately 55 hours per week during the roughly 32 weeks of the school year.
• Five (5) days of PTO for sick or personal days during the academic year.
• Summer preparation responsibilities, including updating course outlines, organizing classes on Google Classroom, and planning lessons.

Physical Requirements

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this role.