Teaching Artist

Duties and Responsibilities

• An experienced improviser and educator to facilitate adult improv classes for students with a range of experience levels.
• Collaborative Musical Directors with a background in theatre performance and music education to support our youth musical theatre classes and teen conservatory programs.
• Nurturing, energetic educators with experience facilitating early childhood music and creative play experiences for young children and their caregivers.

Essential Functions & Duties

• Support the Director of Education and Education staff to deliver safe, successful programs across McCarter's Education department.
• Develop, submit, and execute engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with program themes and learning objectives.
• Provide direct instruction and facilitation to students, demonstrating strong classroom management and responsive teaching practice.
• Partner with and support the Assistant Teaching Artist(s) and Artist-in-Training staff assigned to each class or program.
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for all students; adapt facilitation and lesson delivery in response to individual student needs, learning differences, and group dynamics.
• Track and document attendance, student participation, and any behavioral or safety incidents, and report to Education staff as required.
• Engage appropriately and warmly with students, parents, and caregivers throughout the program, including during drop-off, pickup, and incidental contact.
• Attend and actively contribute to training sessions, planning meetings, and other Education department gatherings as scheduled.
• Respond to communications from Education staff and colleagues in a timely manner via email, phone, and in person.
• Receive and incorporate constructive feedback from the Director of Education and Education staff regarding lesson planning and facilitation practice.
• Under the direction of the Education staff, understand, respectfully communicate and facilitate alignment with all program guidelines and policies as set forth by McCarter.
• Execute appropriate emergency procedures calmly and precisely if a safety situation arises, including communicating with Education staff and following McCarter protocols.
• Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, students, and other collaborators.
• Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter.
• Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging

Qualifications

• Possess a positive, energetic and inclusive attitude, while exhibiting behavior that makes all campers and staff feel safe and welcome.
• Previous teaching experience with K-12th grade students and adults.
• Skilled at crafting theater-focused lesson plans.
• Proven ability to set priorities and take initiative, functioning independently as needed.
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to work, with the ability to build effective relationships across a team of people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and work styles.

This position requires a valid background check prior to start and may be subject to periodic re-screening.

Teaching Artists working with youth are expected to comply with New Jersey mandated reporting requirements related to the welfare and safety of minors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPR/AED/First-Aid Certification.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages.
• Experience working with neurodiverse learners and students with varying access needs.