Teacher - Vocational Tech [Design and Visual Communication], Gr. 9-12 (Long Term Substitute) (SY25-26)

THIS IS A LONG-TERM SUB POSITION that is expected to start on 02/23/2026 and end on the school year. Please note that all substitute teachers are hired as per diem subs, even when placed in long-term assignments. All substitutes begin at the per diem rate of pay. For further information about becoming a BPS sub, please refer to our website (https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/old-homepage2/careers1/sub-central).

The Boston Arts Academy, a public high school for the visual and performing arts, with students in Grades 9-12. It is a joint project of the Professional Arts Consortium, Inc.,comprising the Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston Architectural Center, Emerson College Massachusetts College of Arts, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts) and the Boston Public Schools. Boston Arts Academy serves as a laboratory and a beacon for artistic and academic innovation, preparing a diverse community of aspiring artist scholars to be successful in their college or professional careers and to be engaged members of a democratic society.

This innovative school features a college preparatory curriculum supporting integrated and interdisciplinary teaching and learning among arts and academic disciplines. Students explore the arts in both traditional and new media forms. The Academy’s program is enriched by the involvement of the six members of the Professional Arts Consortium. Both the program and the student body at Boston Arts Academy, reflect the culture, ethnic and linguistic diversity of Boston.

BAA is an autonomous school within the BPS that holds Pilot School status. This allows us autonomy over our schedule, staffing, budget, governance, and curriculum. As a result, we have an Election to Work Agreement (EWA), which outlines the ways in which we leverage our autonomy, with specific attention to additional working days, hours, and other working conditions that fall outside of the BTU/BPS contract. Teachers who choose to work at BAA do so with the understanding that our Election to Work Agreement establishes expectations beyond the standard BTU contract, including additional professional development days, extended learning time, and a commitment to our full inclusion model. BTU members are required to work an additional 146 hours above the contracted time. That time includes attending 2 days of professional development before the BTU start day in August, attending 2.5 additional days of professional development in June beyond the contracted days, and attending a weekly hour department meeting outside of the contracted hours.

Job Overview:

The Boston Arts Academy seeks an exceptional interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary artist who is also skilled with multimedia and audio production to join our community of teachers, learners, and leaders. At BAA, the teachers and leaders are committed to the vision of high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools. BAA is a great place for those who seek to work in an environment that supports their creativity and innovation, and respects their skills and abilities as a teacher.

This candidate will cultivate a safe environment for students to achieve their artistic and creative potential and ensure that each Boston Arts Academy student has an exceptional arts education. This candidate will be responsible for creating dynamic lessons and learning experiences to ensure their students are challenged and primed for growth. Successful candidates will have a strong background in production, audio engineering and recording, and video technology and editing. A commitment to obtaining the Vocational-Tech License in Multimedia Production and Broadcasting.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) seeks an exceptional Vocational Tech [Design and Visual Communication] Teacher who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to join our community of teachers, learners, and leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers who desire to serve where their efforts matter. In BPS, the teachers and leaders are committed to the vision of high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools. BPS is a great place for those who seek to work in an environment that supports their creativity and innovation, and respects their skills and abilities as a teacher.

Reports to: Principal/Head of School

Responsibilities

Teach: Vocational Tech [Design and Visual Communication]

Responsabilties:

• Teach visual art classes in different media including, but not limited to, drawing, painting, art history, graphic design, and multimedia.
• Help design, implement and teach design curriculum 1,2,3,4
• Design and implement student assessment
• Lead Vocational/Adobe certification track
• Teach figure drawing
• Serve as school wide expert on Design and Visual Communication
• Oversee departmental technology and equipment
• Implement and oversee department and student blogs
• Lead and implement exhibition of student work in and out of school building
• Lead archivist for department
• Identify and facilitate student design competitions
• Participate in the creation of an integrated interdisciplinary arts-infused curriculum including producing exhibitions.
• Lead an advisory group of 8-12 students, providing advice, support and evaluation for
• assigned students.
• Teach OR co-teach a grade-level writing seminar.
• Attend weekly visual arts team meetings and period work sessions as scheduled.
• Along with other core visual arts faculty, participate in strategic planning and department management. Areas include but are not limited to curriculum, assessment, recruitmentand outreach, implementing technology, student case management, and exhibition/competition/partnership participation.
• Communicate regularly with parents/caregivers about student progress.
• Arrange and attend evening meetings with families of students in Advisory Group (and
• other students as appropriate) as least twice a year, and be generally accessible to families.
• Accept flexible assignments, such as team and interdisciplinary teaching, working with
• different age groups and ability levels, etc.
• Work with university, college and community collaborators.
• Perform general administrative tasks to teaching and advising.
• Work for two days after the end of school year in June reviewing and evaluating year and completing activities.
• Participate in one annual retreat which could fall on a weekend.
• Work an extended day of eight hours, with occasional additional time as required for student performance and presentation activities.

Core Competencies: Using the Rubric of Effective Teaching, the Office of Human Capital has identified priority skills and abilities that all BPS teachers should possess:

• Accountability for Student Achievement

(II-A-1. Quality of Effort and Work, II-D-2. High Expectations, I-B-2. Adjustments to Practice)

• Sets ambitious learning goals for all students, creates cognitively demanding tasks, and models the belief that all students can master challenging material through effective effort
• Assesses students’ understanding regularly with ambitious learning goals in mind and takes ownership of making necessary adjustments to instruction to reach goals despite setbacks
• Passionate and optimistic about their students, their content, and the teaching profession
• Communicating Content Knowledge

(I-A-1. Subject Matter Knowledge, I-A-4. Well-Structured Lessons)

• Demonstrates mastery of and enthusiasm for the content area and the pedagogy it requires
• Demonstrates understanding of how the subject matter applies in real-world settings and connects to other content areas and relevant standards
• Can convey content in creative and engaging ways that align to standards
• Equitable & Effective Instruction

(II-A-3. Meeting Diverse Needs, II-A-2. Student Engagement, II-B-1. Safe Learning Environment)

• Scaffolds and differentiates instruction in order for all students to do complex thinking and rigorous academic work
• Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate equitable, active student participation
• Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community
• Cultural Proficiency

(II-C-1. Respects Differences, II-C-2. Maintains a Respectful Environment)

• Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected
• Parent/Family Engagement

(III-A-1. Parent/Family Engagement)

• Engages with families and builds collaborative, respectful relationships with them in service of student learning
• Professional Reflection & Collaboration

(IV-A-1. Reflective Practice, IV-C-1. Professional Collaboration)

• Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community.

Qualifications - Required

• Education: Associate's degree in audio production
• Employment experience: At least four years of professional experience
• Occupational License/ Industry Certification:Hold a valid Massachusetts Vocational Tech Teaching License in the appropriate subject (9- 14) or a Massachusetts preliminary license in Visual Art-All Levels.
• Ability to earn a Massachusetts Vocational Tech Teaching License in the appropriate subject (9-14) by achieving a passing score on the subject-specific written and performance exams and achieving a passing score on one of the literacy skills MTELs.
• Ability to earn Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement
• Ability to meet the Standards of Effective Teaching established by the BPS as outlined above.
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

Qualifications - Preferred

• Experience teaching in urban schools and/or an industry setting

• Experience as an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary artist.

• Has OSHA-10 certification or is willing to earn it
• Possesses industry-recognized credentials that are part of the curriculum and the ability to train students to earn those credentials
• BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali.
• In order to best serve all students, BPS prefers all core content teachers to be certified in their subject area and one or both of the following: Moderate Disabilities, English as a Second Language (at the appropriate grade level(s)).

Terms:

The start and end times of BPS schools vary, as do the lengths of the school day. Some BPS schools have a longer school day through the "Schedule A" Expanded Learning Time (ELT) agreement.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at accommodations@bostonpublicschools.org.