Description
Job Summary: The Educator for Teacher and School Programs is a confident and passionate advocate for the value of K-12 partnership programming at the museum, online, and in the community. The individual is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing all aspects of the K-12 programming and partnerships that support art education and art-integrated education, employs culturally appropriate teaching strategies, and utilizes technology as a learning tool when appropriate. The Educator for Teacher and School Programs promotes appropriate teaching and learning strategies for object-based education—on-site, on-line, and off-site—on the Frist Art Museum’s exhibition program and school curriculum standards.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to K-12 tour development, managing Museum Art Teachers, educator workshops, school partnerships and art shows. This position works closely in partnership with area school districts, administrators, and educators, and collaborates with museum colleagues across departments. The position requires an individual with experience in or knowledge of current education theory, visual art and art-integrated curriculum strategies, museum education, art history, and learning assessment practices.
Vision and Innovation
Foster innovation and experimentation in developing and enhancing school and teacher programs (K-12) that actively encourage new and diverse audiences to explore and engage with art.
Build confidence and competence in looking at, thinking, and talking about, and making art through a variety of teaching strategies and approaches.
Connect art to everyday living and facilitate a better understanding of visual culture.
Sensitivity to the needs, interests, and learning styles of museum audiences and of those that may feel excluded from participation.
K-12 Programming
Collaborate with museum staff, school administrators and teachers, curriculum supervisors, and cultural and community groups to sustain teacher and school audiences over time and beyond specific exhibitions and programs, i. e. professional development programs, workshops, in-services, and specific programs developed for the school districts.
Works to engage directly with area school districts.
Coordinate the development, communication, and installation of school district art shows to build community connections with the museum.
Learning
Prioritize and balance programming needs; Emphasize object-based education as a catalyst for discussion and learning about current exhibitions and visual culture.
Supervise and share writing, design, and production responsibilities for resources in support of exhibitions and teacher and school programs, such as educator guides, school brochures, curriculum guides, multi-sensory cart materials, and exhibition tours.
Plans, facilitates, and schedules teacher workshops, professional development workshops, and student tour-related activities.
Management
Assist with the training of the volunteer docent program, with a focus on in-gallery and online tours for school groups and multi-sensory cart training.
Develop and manage a program of paid Museum Art Teachers for K-12 tours; develop in-gallery and online tour content; tour evaluations.
Work with volunteers as needed to ensure equitable and accessible programming;
Assessment and Evaluation
Implement sound assessment practices to plan learning targets, write assessment criteria, design practical and accessible lesson plans, gather evidence, and report learning;
Administration
Manage the annual and long-range budget and strategic planning for teacher and school programs and collaborate with the Development Department to seek foundational and grant support for these programs.
Ensure programs are offered in a safe learning environment for participants.
Accepts projects as assigned by supervisor.
Requirements
Education: Master's degree in education, art education, museum education, or art history, or teaching certificate preferred; Bachelor’s degree required in one of the fields.
Work Experience: Must have 2-4 years of experience in museum, school district, or classroom. Experience developing and facilitating inquiry-based tours preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of current inquiry-based and object-based pedagogy and teaching strategies for K-12 art education and curriculum.
Knowledge of current national teacher and school programming in museums and art education.
Ability to create equitable, accessible, and inclusive processes, materials, and experiences that honor diverse experiences, identities, and narratives.
Ability to write and communicate clearly.
Experience in public speaking and presentation of programs.
Ability to contribute creatively to a team-oriented workplace.
Ability to organize and inspire organization in the work of others.
Ability to work effectively with people on a personal level, with tact and diplomacy.
Well-versed and at ease in computer applications.
