BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Department of Curriculum and Instruction for the Arts

Role Title:        Visual Arts Teaching Assistant (TA)
Program:          Boston Public Schools/Museum of Fine Arts Scholarship Program
Purpose:           To support access to high quality arts instruction for BPS high school students

Role Description
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction for the Arts offers an opportunity for a highly motivated visual arts and design student to work directly with a world renowned teaching artist and BPS staff members as a Visual Arts Teaching Assistant (TA).  The TA will support recruitment, motivation, and sequential visual arts instruction for high school students from across the Boston Public Schools District to attend the BPS/MFA Scholarship Program. This century-old program, housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, offers after-school, intensive art classes for accepted BPS high school students. The program includes a series of master classes with Boston-area professional artists, field trips to museums and art institutions, and exhibition opportunities. Seniors in the program receive portfolio building assistance and all students receive one course credit towards high school graduation upon successful completion of the year-long course.

The BPS/MFA Teaching and Administrative Assistant will be responsible for supporting the lead BPS/MFA teacher in programmatic and instructional planning along with teaching activities. The TA will be responsible for supporting development of solid lessons for use in the application of effective teaching and learning strategies including group and individualized arts learning.  Responsibilities include student recruitment, attendance monitoring, and encouraging student engagement in artistic leadership to accomplish BPS/MFA program completion.  Additional duties include helping to facilitate communication between each student and their home school while also communicating consistently with BPS Arts Department staff, MFA Education staff, and families.

Eligible Applicants Must Possess:

1. Proof of current enrollment in a Bachelors Degree or Masters Degree Program; successful candidates will highly regard the arts
2. Evidence of consistent involvement in quality educational experiences with some teaching background preferably, in visual arts with high school students;
3. Solid self-awareness and interpersonal skills;
4. Strong organizational and time management abilities;
5. Well developed verbal and written communication skills;
6. Powerful teambuilding and collaboration skills as well as the ability to work independently;
7. The ability to think and plan systematically and to be results oriented for producing positive student outcomes;

Responsibilities:

• Committed attendance and punctuality for all planning, class times, and program events
• Committed responsibility to fulfilling duties beyond planning and class times
• Assisting BPS/MFA Lead Teacher in planning and teaching lessons
• Assisting BPS/MFA in planning all Artist visits, field trips, and exhibitions
• Arranging and fulfilling all logistical needs for Artist visits, field trips, and exhibitions
• Taking attendance and submitting class rosters on a weekly basis
• Communicating with enrolled students and families on a daily class basis
• Communicating actively and effectively with the BPS Arts Department staff and MFA Education staff
• Keeping a consistent log of all duties and responsibilities fulfilled
• Submitting a weekly time sheet and work log

Compensation:
$4,500 in two installments (January and June), for fulfilling all required responsibilities

Application Process:
Candidates must complete and return the attached application form and documentation to:

BPS Arts Department
bpsartsdepartment@gmail.com