What are the responsibilities and job description for the Television and Film Teacher position at Utopian Academy for the Arts?
Television and Film Teacher
About Us
The Utopian Network is built around 4 schools: Elementary, Flagship Middle, Middle at Trilith, and High. Utopian Academy for the Arts Elementary School is a premier performing arts school in Clayton County, GA. Our school has entertainment industry partnerships and a rich curriculum that supports the growth and development of the whole child as an artist, a leader, and a lifelong learner. In fact, we refer to our students as scholars and have high expectations for their behavior and progress in the classroom. Industry partnerships include the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Music Project, KidNation, and Trilith Studios. Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School offers a proven academic foundation and creative pipeline that equips scholars for success in high school, college, thriving arts careers, and lifelong achievement. We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box to cultivate the full potential of our young creatives. At Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith, creativity isn’t a class—it’s a way of life. Utopian Academy at Trilith is an arts-based public charter middle school, serving scholars in grades 6th - 8th with a statewide attendance zone. Rooted in academic excellence and powered by the Creative Digital Arts, Utopian Academy at Trilith blends rigorous core instruction with an arts-integrated curriculum that sparks imagination and innovation. At Utopian Academy for the Arts High School, excellence isn’t an aspiration - it’s the standard we rehearse every day. As Georgia’s only tuition-free public charter high school with a fully integrated arts curriculum, we empower scholars to thrive academically, artistically, and professionally.
The Role
Our greatest instructional strategy is our human capital. More than any other variable in education than curriculum or supplies - our faculty and staff matter. Effective teachers who are continually learning and setting high expectations are the key to student academic achievement and success. At Utopian Academy for the Arts, we believe students will rise to meet the high expectations set by our team of educators. The ideal candidate for this role will possess a genuine concern for students and their subject, resilience, a growth mindset, adaptability, and passion. We hope to develop a genuine community of practice in which teachers play a vital role in developing curriculum and instructional strategies for educating students.
Position Overview
The Television & Film Teacher will be responsible for developing in each student an interest in the theoretical and practical concepts, strategies, and techniques associated with the fields of Audio, Video, Technology & Film within the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) framework. This position will provide students with hands-on experiences in multimedia storytelling, digital media production, and journalistic principles, while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.
Key Role Responsibilities
- Develop and implement curriculum for courses in television and film, audiovisual production, journalism, and media studies, ensuring alignment with state standards and educational goals.
- Deliver dynamic and interactive instruction that engages students in hands-on learning experiences. Provide guidance and feedback to students as they develop multimedia projects, write news articles, produce videos, and create digital content.
- Teach students to critically evaluate media messages, analyze news sources, and understand the ethical and social implications of media production and consumption. Foster media literacy skills to help students become informed and responsible for media consumers and creators.
- Teach students how to use television and film, audiovisual equipment, software tools, and digital media technologies effectively and responsibly. Provide instruction in video editing, audio recording, photography, graphic design, and other relevant skills.
- Facilitate project-based learning experiences that allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world media projects.
- Facilitate Annual Film Festival from preproduction to postproduction, coordinate all logistics, communicate with all stakeholders, manage students, judges, and film submissions.
- Collaborate with other teachers, departments, and community partners to integrate multimedia and journalism concepts into cross-curricular projects and initiatives.
- Assess student learning through various methods, including performance tasks, projects, presentations, and written assessments. Provide timely and constructive feedback to students to support their growth and development.
- Advisor of Senior Capstone Project
- Stay current with trends, advancements, and best practices in television and film, audiovisual production, journalism, and media education. Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills and expertise.
- Attend and support all arts events throughout the school year.
- Meet with TVF department monthly to enhance the Arts’ culture, strengthen the Arts pathways, and overall pedagogy network wide.
- Report directly to the Principal and Director of Arts Education
- Perform other duties, as deemed appropriate, by the Principal and Director of Arts Education
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Education, Television, Film, Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, or related field (Masters degree preferred)
- Teaching certification/license in subject area or eligibility for alternative certification
- Previous experience teaching audiovisual production, journalism, or media studies at the secondary level
- Proficiency in multimedia software tools and digital media technologies (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Audacity, WordPress)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated communication skills
- Model correct use of language - oral and written;
- Demonstrated willingness to be held accountable for students’ results.
- Ability to work with diverse groups of children.
- Ability to be flexible and to work in a pleasant and cooperative manner
- Ability to work effectively as a team member;
- Possess a high degree of professionalism and discretion;
- Knowledge of school safety & security procedures
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines