Visual Art Specialist (PYP)

Overview

The PYP Visual Art Specialist is responsible for delivering high-quality visual arts instruction and ensuring the holistic development of students across assigned classes. The specialist is expected to create a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment while upholding the school’s mission, vision, and values. As a member of the school community, the Visual Art Specialist carries professional responsibilities toward students, colleagues, the institution, and the wider community.

Expectations

As an educational professional in a K–12 international school, the PYP Visual Art Specialist is expected to:

• Demonstrate a clear commitment to the school’s philosophy, mission, vision, and values as defined by the Governing Board.
• Establish and maintain a positive social, emotional, physical, and intellectual learning environment that supports the success of all students.
• Possess strong, age-appropriate subject knowledge in visual arts and effective pedagogical skills aligned with IB PYP practices.
• Employ a variety of effective instructional and assessment strategies to support inquiry-based learning.
• Collaborate constructively with classroom teachers and colleagues across departments and grade levels.
• Show respect for all members of the school community and model understanding of the host country’s culture, languages, and beliefs.
• Contribute actively to school life beyond classroom teaching, including exhibitions, events, and celebrations of learning.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, particularly related to IB PYP philosophy and arts education.
• Be familiar with and adhere to the school’s operational practices and expectations.
• Stay updated with relevant educational research and developments in arts education.
• Follow all policies and guidelines outlined in the Faculty Handbook, employment contract, and other official school documents.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and overall wellbeing of all students, particularly within art studio environments.
• Develop and deliver visual arts lessons aligned with the IB PYP philosophy, school objectives, and transdisciplinary units of inquiry.
• Integrate the PYP key concepts, learner profile attributes, and approaches to learning within visual arts instruction.
• Contribute to the ongoing creation, review, and refinement of the school’s written, taught, and assessed curriculum.
• Support student creativity, self-expression, and artistic skill development through a variety of media and techniques.
• Attend school regularly as required by contract and arrive punctually to all classes and duties.
• Meet all internal and external deadlines in a timely manner.
• Prepare and produce routine as well as specialized reports on student progress.
• Maintain consistent and meaningful communication with parents and guardians regarding student learning and development.
• Organize, maintain, and manage art materials, resources, and displays effectively.
• Ensure that teaching spaces are well organized, safe, and conducive to creative learning.
• Share responsibility with all staff for maintaining order and enforcing school expectations regarding behavior.
• Participate in the annual professional appraisal and evaluation processes.
• Carry out supervisory duties assigned by the school administration.
• Support and contribute to PYP exhibitions, school showcases, assemblies, and community events related to the arts.