Near West Theatre Teaching Artist Job Description and Background Position Summary: Near West Theatre is excited to announce the search for candidates for the position of Teaching Artist. Teaching Artists represent Near West Theatre and build strong relationships with partnering schools and their students by creating a safe learning environment for children during in-school and afterschool programming, both on- and off-site. This position will teach theater classes to students in grades K-12. Teaching artists will report to and work collaboratively with the Program Manager to create and implement a curriculum specific to the individual schools where they are teaching. They will coordinate with school staff, where appropriate, to deliver outcome-based programming aligned with academic and curricular goals. They will also be responsible for timely communication with the Program Manager and other applicable teaching artists. Near West Theatre has a unique identity as an intergenerational community-based theatre. We are an organization where people work side-by-side, onstage and off, to produce our annual production season and hold mission-centric programs and events to the Detroit Shoreway, West Side and Northeast Ohio communities. NWT provides high quality, innovative, socially relevant musicals that are inclusive and accessible in our state-of-the-art 27,000 square foot, ADA-accessible facility. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Facilitating direct instruction, individually and collaboratively with other teaching artists, during in-school and afterschool theatre programming at schools or onsite at Near West Theatre. ● Collaborate with the NWT Program Manager, school teachers and other teaching artists to create and teach curriculum to students. ● Attend regular in-person meetings and all necessary in-person trainings, whether at NWT or the partner schools. ● Communicate timely and professionally with NWT and school staff, as well as other teaching artists. ● Create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment in accordance with NWT and school staff and policies. ● Attend showcase events at NWT and partner schools. ● Nurture an interest in theatre arts both at NWT and in our partnering schools. ● Cover for unexpected conflicts with other teaching artists as needed. ● Collaborate with other teaching artists and the Program Manager to find ways to improve and expand in-school and afterschool programming. ● Manage school staff, students, and NWT staff effectively and with respect. ● Collaborate with teachers for effective classroom and behavior management. ● Develop effective strategies with multiple approaches to best adapt to classroom environments. PREFERRED SKILLS: ● Experience teaching diverse age groups and cultures. ● Strong interest in and commitment to educating and mentoring youth. ● Understanding of (or strong interest in learning) the different childhood development ages and stages. ● Excellent oral, written communication, and interpersonal skills. ● Excellent attention to detail. ● Dedication to implementing and upholding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in curriculum. ● Ability to problem-solve and manage relationships effectively. ● Ability to adapt to unexpected changes in a professional and positive manner. QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS: ● Kind, empathetic, collaborative in maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for children ● A proactive self-starter and creative problem solver ● Passion to serve and educate others, with a priority toward youth ● Confidence in meeting new people and working in a variety of spaces ● An appreciation for social justice initiatives ● A desire to make our community and region a better society ● A willingness to support other staff and pitch in when someone needs help ● A commitment to the values and mission of the organization ● A commitment to forwarding racial equity goals and commitments of the organization ● Calmness under pressure REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Teaching artists will report directly to the Program Manager, and work closely with other teaching artists, the Artistic Director, and the Executive Director. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: ● High school degree required; college experience welcomed but not required ● Minimum one year of arts education outreach or experience as a teaching artist with school-aged children (experience serving diverse student populations preferred, but not mandatory) ● Pass BCI and FBI background check (paid for by Near West Theatre) ● Ability to teach masked, socially-distanced children in a classroom setting (if masking is called for) during programming JOB CLASSIFICATION: This is a contracted, part-time/on call position that will work 1 to 4 days a week, with time commitments varying from one hour to an entire school day. Specific schedules will be created during onboarding. Artists will be paid a minimum of $100 for up to four hours of teaching for in-school programming. After four hours, the artists’ hourly rate will be $25 an hour. Artists also receive $25 an hour for scheduled meetings by NWT and/or partner school. Work hours are typically during the school day, falling between 8:30AM and 4:00PM, Monday through Friday with potential for some afterschool programs that end no later than 6:30PM. This position does not include medical and/or dental benefits. PHYSICAL: Candidates must follow our policies and procedures including being respectful to, and following, NWT and partner school COVID policies and completing a background check. TO APPLY: Please apply with cover letter and resume to hr@nearwesttheatre.org with the job title listed in the subject line. Or mail to: Near West Theatre, ATTN: Human Resources Department, 6702 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44102.