Art Teacher

About Us: 

Mountaintop Montessori provides the Charlottesville community with an exceptional and authentic Montessori education, serving children and families from toddler through adolescence. Our campus is home to year-round programming in which children thrive through experiential learning, interactions with the natural world, and collaborative discovery. Our campus is a 9-acre classroom with multiple gardens, an outdoor amphitheater, and an art studio.

Position Overview:

 We seek a passionate and experienced Art Teacher to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year. The position begins in August 2026. The ideal candidate will be responsible for inspiring students to unleash their creativity through various mediums of artistic expression. Art instruction is given to K-8 grade students, so the instructor needs to feel comfortable and capable of teaching students of various ages. 

This position is 30 hours per week during the regular school year, and it includes 4 (40-hour) weeks of summer camp instruction. We offer a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Art Education, or a related field, or demonstrable technical proficiency and professional experience in the field.
• Proven experience teaching art to students of diverse ages and skill levels.
• Strong knowledge of art history, techniques, and principles.
• Proficiency in various art mediums, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.
• Ability to develop and implement an engaging art curriculum that aligns with educational standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, students, and parents.
• Passion for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in students.
• Commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and inspired to explore their artistic potential.
• Ability to complete general computer-based tasks such as word processing, email, and online collaboration (such as Google Docs)
• Must clear a criminal background check.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive art curriculum that encourages experimentation, exploration, and creativity, aligning with the Mountaintop mission and current pedagogical and environmental knowledge and standards.
• Research and provide the highest quality art materials.
• Maintain art studio equipment, which includes a kiln, pottery wheels, a slab roller, looms, easels, and a sewing machine.
• Plan and teach students in grades K-8 various art techniques, styles, and mediums through hands-on instruction and demonstrations.
• Foster a positive, inclusive classroom environment that encourages artistic expression and collaboration.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to help students improve their artistic skills and confidence.
• Organize and display student artwork in the school’s gallery to celebrate their achievements.
• Collaborate with colleagues to integrate art into interdisciplinary projects and activities.
• Communicate with parents regarding student progress, projects and upcoming events.
• Stay current with developments in art education and incorporate innovative teaching methods and resources into the curriculum.

Pay Range: $36,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year (based on education and experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit the following documents to the Director of Camps and Afterschool Programs, Mary Reitsma, at: mreitsma@mountaintopmontessori.org

• A cover letter highlighting relevant experience and teaching philosophy.
• A resume
• Three professional references.