Scope of position:
The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is seeking a new team member with strong professional development leadership skills. This position supports two arts education programs at RACC: The Right Brain Initiative and the Arts Education and Access Fund. A strong background in K-8 classrooms with a focus on literacy, arts integration and equity work is essential.
RACC values a community in which everyone can participate in arts and culture, and strives to cultivate equity in all of its programs. We value a diverse workforce, built upon inclusion, equity and cultural competence and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Responsibilities:
50% Develop and deliver training for teachers in arts and literacy integrated classroom instruction using arts based teaching practices
25% Develop and implement professional development services for principals, district instructional coaches and arts specialists
10% Support RACC’s research and evaluation on the impact of arts education and arts integration
10% Speak to larger audiences including school boards, parent groups and other community stakeholders on the power of the arts and arts integration
5% Other duties as assigned
Provide formal and informal staff development/training around arts integration strategies, related to both research and practice, for classroom teachers and administrators
Work collaboratively with The Right Brain Initiative team to support the program’s vision and create a cohesive and respectful working environment
Provide support, modeling and guidance to school and district-level instructional coaches on arts integration
Assist schools in building an interactive classroom and school environments focused on the content and learning strategies embedded in Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and the National Core Arts Standards
Investigate and disseminate information on best practices for arts integration, national sources of information on trends, research and applications related to arts in schools
Essential knowledge, skills and abilities:
Minimum of 5 years successful teaching experience in K-8 classrooms with a focus on ELA and literacy, master’s degree preferred
A strong background in effective implementation of professional development and instructional coaching
Knowledge of, experience or training in an arts discipline
Experience in aligning subject areas with an emphasis on the arts
A desire to collaboratively plan with excellent interpersonal skills
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
Comprehensive knowledge of the educational opportunity gap
An understanding of educational trends related to equity and a commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment and equitable school communities
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Google applications
Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:
Reliable transportation for travel throughout the tri-county region
Bilingual abilities are a plus
Position Details:
Annual salary $45,000 to $53,000
Position works annually, August to June (46 weeks)
Benefits
About the Regional Arts & Culture Council
RACC receives funding from a variety of public and private partners to serve artists, arts organizations, schools and residents throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. RACC advocates for public and private investments in the arts, provides grants for artists and arts organizations, manages public art, raises money through workplace giving, conducts arts education in public schools, and provides technical assistance and networking opportunities for artists.
About The Right Brain Initiative
The Right Brain Initiative is a sustainable partnership of public schools, local government, foundations, businesses and the cultural community, which brings creativity to nearly 25,000 students in 63 schools. The program’s goal is to transform learning through the arts for all K-8 students in the Portland metro area. In fall of 2014, Right Brain released data connecting the program to an above-average increase in student test scores, with greatest results for English Language Learners. Right Brain is an initiative of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Young Audiencesof Oregon & SW Washington serves as Implementation Partner. Read more online at TheRightBrainInitiative.org.
About the Arts Education and Access Fund
In November of 2012, 62% of Portland voters approved an Arts Education and Access Fund (AEAF) or the “arts tax” as it is commonly known. The City of Portland collects the tax and administers the funds.
Thanks to the arts tax, every elementary school in Portland’s six school districts (Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds and Riverdale) now has at least one art, music or dance teacher on staff—91 teachers total. The AEAF funds 72 of these teachers, one arts specialist for every 500 students.