Part-Time Art Teacher & Aftercare Program Lead (Immediate start)

Poughkeepsie Day School (PDS) is a progressive, coeducational, PreK–Grade 12 school. PDS distinguishes itself from other Hudson Valley independent schools by a commitment to a highly differentiated and interdisciplinary curriculum that is catered to each and every student. The school is committed to building a diverse and equitable community, based on inclusivity, accountability, and mutual respect. PDS is an International Baccalaureate candidate school for, both, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP).

Poughkeepsie Day School is seeking a part-time Art Teacher & Aftercare Program Lead to join our team beginning September 2026. This faculty member will lead mixed-age art classes in PreK–Grade 8 and collaborate with PDS’s Lower and Middle School teams to support an interdisciplinary arts program exploring a wide variety of 2-D and 3-D media. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the teacher will also lead our aftercare program alongside an assistant, bringing an art-rich, creative element to students’ afternoon experience.

The position includes three days on campus each week, approximately 21 hours total: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:45 a.m.–5:45 p.m., and Thursdays from 9:45 a.m.–2:45 p.m. The hourly rate is $25.

We seek an educator who practices a materials-based, process-oriented art education philosophy and engages in a multicultural pedagogy. The successful candidate will track students’ progress and needs, and communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal form.

Qualified candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree and, preferably, a Master's degree in Art Education or a related field and teaching experience in art. 

Responsibilities include:

• Instruct students in five cohorts: three Lower School cohorts and two Middle School cohorts.
• Plan and lead art-rich aftercare activities on Tuesdays and Fridays, working collaboratively with an aftercare assistant.
• Support a welcoming, creative, and well-supervised aftercare environment.
• Keep the art classroom tidy and organized.
• Display students’ artwork for the PDS community.
• Collaborate with teachers in other subjects to promote interdisciplinary creativity.
• Write evaluations of students’ work and progress.

Ideal candidates should possess:

• Experience with teaching the artistic process with school-age children
• Ability to collaborate closely and communicate effectively with a team
• The desire to encourage lifelong learning through fostering artistic habits of mind and cultivating creative expression
• Encouragement of the process of art making and problem solving over the end product
• Experience in leading artistic explorations across a variety of 2-D and 3-D mediums and processes
• A dedication to fostering students' social and emotional well-being
• A sense of humor, an interest in professional growth, a commitment to school wide initiatives, and the ability to be both the lead and a team player

The school is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of our school's mission and to promoting an environment of equality, belonging, and respect for difference. Poughkeepsie Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.