Art Teacher for Kindergarten to 4th Grade

Position Overview

We are seeking a dedicated Art Teacher to instruct students from Kindergarten through 4th grade for the 2026-27 academic year at Tapestry Charter School, located in Buffalo, NY. Reporting directly to the Building Principal or Assistant Principal, this full-time exempt role operates on a 10-month schedule and focuses on providing a rigorous, real-world educational experience that promotes intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Tapestry is committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable learning environment where learners and leaders contribute positively to their communities. Our core values emphasize Perseverance, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility.

Role Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, standards-aligned art lessons to K-4 students following New York State visual arts curriculum.
• Promote creativity, self-expression, and foundational art skills while nurturing a love for the visual arts.
• Create supportive, engaging, and safe classroom environments using social emotional learning and restorative practices.
• Manage student behavior by building strong connections, setting clear norms, and applying effective classroom routines.
• Maintain open communication with families by providing updates about classroom activities, promptly responding to inquiries, and conducting biannual Student Led Conferences.
• Participate actively in school events to strengthen relationships within the school community.
• Prepare thoughtfully for lessons utilizing curriculum resources and collaborate with coaching staff.
• Use observational and assessment data to tailor instruction to diverse student needs and learning styles.
• Assign, evaluate, and grade classwork, homework, tests, and projects.
• Attend all required staff and coach meetings to support instructional excellence and school improvement efforts.

Additional Duties

• Uphold and support the school's mission, vision, values, policies, ethical standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Collaborate with the K-12 Arts department to organize seasonal exhibitions showcasing student work.
• Ensure every student, regardless of developmental stage, engages with visual arts through four key processes: Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Dedication to the core values of Perseverance, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Strong commitment to students’ academic achievement and personal growth.
• Ability to set ambitious and measurable goals and persistently work toward them.
• Resilience and composure in fast-paced educational settings and unexpected situations.
• Experience and knowledge of best practices in elementary education.
• Familiarity with the Expeditionary Learning educational framework.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with a diverse school community.
• Proficiency with computer tools including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Excel.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Must have Professional or Permanent certification in the relevant grades and subject area.
• At least one year of successful prior teaching experience, preferably in similar academic settings or with comparable student populations.

Physical Demands

The role predominantly involves classroom-based activities requiring occasional lifting of objects up to 10 pounds, frequent walking, standing, bending, and repetitive hand movements such as typing and filing. Close visual acuity is essential for tasks like data analysis and reading. Effective communication skills, including talking and listening, are required.

Additional Information

The job description serves as a guideline and may evolve over time to meet changing educational needs. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly to be considered for this role, which begins on August 24, 2026. The position is located at 111 Great Arrow Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216.

Salary Range: $41,670 to $89,393 per year, competitive within the industry.

Contact: Human Resource Department, email: hr@tapestryschool.org