Visual Arts Teacher, Department Chair

About Portledge School:

Portledge School was founded in 1965 and is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. Approximately fifty minutes (28 miles) from NYC by train, Portledge is nestled on a pastoral 63-acre tree-lined campus that is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Enrolling approximately 500 students in grades N-12, Portledge offers a competitive college preparatory program in a warm, inclusive community. We seek to inspire our students to realize their individual potential by developing critical thinking skills and moral courage necessary for lifelong learning in an increasingly complex world. Portledge is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body.

Job Description:

Portledge School seeks to hire a dynamic, highly skilled Visual Arts educator who is driven to create a classroom environment where student learning is a non-negotiable goal and passion is evident on a daily basis. In addition to acting as the the Middle and Upper School Visual Arts Department Chair, responsibilities include teaching 5 sections of Visual Arts, including an IB Visual Arts class, participating collegially in meetings and initiatives of the Art Department and the Upper School division and taking an active role in the life of the school community. As Department Chair, this position will report directly to the Middle and Upper School Division Heads.

Our faculty work in a warm, collaborative environment...

Delivering consistent high-quality instruction, mentoring and teaching to students

Participating in collaborative planning and ongoing professional development and a professional learning community

Staying current with educational research and pedagogy related to classroom instruction and educational trends

Maintaining online Atlas curriculum database for courses taught

Attending a minimum of 4-6 evening/weekend programs that support the community throughout the year

They are...

Lifelong, intellectual learners who have a passion for teaching and mentoring children

Interested in and committed to teaching subject matter from multiple cultural perspectives

Clear about instructional goals and explicit with students about what is expected of them and why

Knowledgeable about content and versed in multiple Visual Arts disciplines

Willing to teach students metacognitive strategies

Prepared to offer effective feedback

Excited about and responsible for student outcomes

Additional Responsibilities...

As Department Chair, act as a first line leader between faculty and administration by acting as a communications liaison, curriculum leader, pedagogy leader, collaboration facilitator, learning accountability leader, departmental advocate and institutional supporter, and departmental decision maker;

As Department Chair represents their respective department to the administration and strives to maintain the Four Pillars of Portledge within their department;

Coordinate field trips and off-campus learning opportunities and activities with department members, liaising with administration and other agencies as needed.

Collaborate with the Communications Department, by drafting and approving external communications on behalf of the department.

Manage coverage for Department members who take PTO or are forced to miss class for some reason.

Develop, implement, and evaluate the curriculum of the department in Grades 6-12 and where appropriate, the curriculum in the Lower School, to ensure vertical continuity and appropriateness of content, skills, and assessment for students of all backgrounds, ability levels, and learning styles.

Encourage interdisciplinary connections.

Serve as a member of the Department Chairs Committee and attend regular meetings of Department Chairs.

Develop Course Outcomes/Goals for each class with Department members, and include them in Course Descriptions Guides

Act as Pedagogy leader by guiding conversations about teaching and learning in their respective department to ensure that rigor and innovation are being pursued.

Act as Collaboration facilitator by communicating with families as needed on behalf of department members, managing the department budget, and organize department meetings

Act a learning and accountability leader by providing a first line of accountability for teachers in the department and promoting professional development opportunities that are division/department specific and/or in alignment with school-wide goals.

Act as Departmental advocate and institutional supporter by serving as an advocate for their department while at the same time supporting the wider mission of the school and working with Admission for Open Houses and student placements

Act as Departmental decision maker

Qualifications:

BA Degree minimum; advanced degree preferred in relevant area(s)

Teaching certification preferred

Experience with the International Baccalaureate Program

Training/familiarity with inter-disciplinary or project-based learning

Superb written and oral communication as well as organizational and time management skills

Belief in the value of all types of diversity, equity and an inclusive, positive, and student-centered environment

A commitment to the qualities embodied by the Portledge pillars: Kindness, Purpose, Honor, Respect

Desire to nurture the whole child and to support students by attending all-school events such as art, music, theater, athletics and community functions.

Committed to teaching and nurturing social emotional learning of children

Commitment to excellence and to professional and personal growth

Knowledge of Google suite and Blackbaud.

Ability to develop trusting, supportive relationships with students

Compensation Range:

$80,000-$90,000 annually

Application Notes:

Please apply through the link provided on our Careers Page with your resume and cover letter

Deadline:

Position open until filled

Start Date:

August 24, 2026

Website: