The University of North Carolina School of the Arts was the first state-supported, residential school of its kind in the nation. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, UNCSA opened in Winston-Salem in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. More than 1,300 students from high school through graduate school train for careers in the arts in five professional schools: Dance, Design and Production (including a high school Visual Arts program), Drama, Filmmaking, and Music. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is the state’s only public arts conservatory, dedicated entirely to the professional training of talented students in the performing, visual and moving image arts.
The High School Academic Program (HSAP) provides approximately 250 adolescent artists in grades 9-12 with rigorous instruction within the core disciplines of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, and Health and Physical Education, leading to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts high school diploma. Student artists are highly motivated, passionate, and creative in their arts and academics classes. While they matriculate to UNCSA for the rigorous arts conservatory training, students also expect rigorous training in their academic classes. Across departments in the HSAP, class sizes average around 15 students per section.
Further information about our unique program can be found here.
The UNCSA English department is a cohort of dedicated teachers who value collaboration, diversity, innovative teaching, lifelong learning, intellectual rigor, and most importantly, the development of the student artist. Members of the department are offered the autonomy to design curricula and instruction to meet the needs of their unique and diverse students. The English department offers its students the core courses of 9th grade English, 10th grade English, 11th grade Seminar English, AP English Language and Composition, 12th grade Seminar English, 12th grade Film Studies, and AP English Literature and Composition in addition to an elective course in Yearbook and Student Publications. As a service to all students enrolled in the HSAP, the department reserves a course “prep” in Writing Support, wherein the assigned instructor works with classes and individual students, assisting them in drafting, composition, revision, and reflection.

In addition to teaching their classes, the instructor will be available to students for individual help outside of class as needed, attend faculty meetings, serve on faculty committees as appointed or elected, and fulfill other duties as assigned by the Dean of the High School Academic Program.

Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. Prior high school teaching experience is preferred. If a candidate is hired who does not hold a Master’s Degree, the teacher must earn a Master’s Degree by the end of their second multi-year contract (end of year 7). UNCSA will provide assistance to make this possible. The deadline may be extended due to extenuating circumstances.
Candidates should demonstrate a passion for high school teaching, a commitment to collaboration with colleagues, and a dedication to support the artistic and academic lives of students.

Ideal candidates will have a…

• demonstrated passion and knowledge for one’s subject and one’s curriculum with an ongoing commitment to intellectual and professional growth
• demonstrated ability to plan and facilitate engaging classes
• demonstrated interest in educating the whole adolescent artist
• demonstrated effectiveness in incorporating diverse creative activity, teaching, and service that fosters a culture of inclusion in the development of citizen artists
• demonstrated commitment to collaboration with colleagues across disciplines

Ideal candidates will be…

• emotionally mature with the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations

UNCSA utilizes a multi-year contract system in lieu of tenure.

For full consideration for the position, please submit a curriculum vitae, a list of three references, and, in lieu of a cover letter, written responses to the following three questions in the section listed as “Other”:
1. Why do you want to teach high school English at our Arts Conservatory?
2. Please describe the classroom environment you strive to create through your approach to curriculum and instruction. What are your primary goals in teaching, and how does your approach contribute to the retention and mentorship of diverse student communities?
3. How do your previous experiences distinguish you as an exceptional candidate for this position?