A Preschool or Childcare Teacher works with young children, usually ages 3 - 5, to help them learn the social, motor and language skills needed to be ready for kindergarten and elementary school. Organizes activities and uses play or games to help children learn; develops schedules and routines for children that include exercise and rest. Works in a school or in a childcare center or program.
Lower School Visual Arts Teacher (Pre-School to Grade 4)- School Year 2026-2027
Work Schedule:
Academic School Year, 2026-2027
Reports To :
Lower and Middle School Principal FLSA:
Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt Mission :
Guided by our Quaker principles, Friends Academy educates our students to discover and develop the best of who they are and who they can become.
Belief Statement :
We achieve educational excellence by committing to the highest standards of learning and living. Our diverse and welcoming community is strengthened by our Quaker values, which empower our students to inquire, reflect, and engage in their classrooms, in their neighborhoods, and in the world. Because when we inspire students to learn and live with purpose, they achieve greatness without sacrificing goodness. A successful candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Summary:
Friends Academy seeks a creative, collaborative, and energetic Lower School Art Teacher to lead our Visual Arts curriculum for students from Pre-school (nursery/early learning) through 4th Grade. The ideal candidate must possess a strong understanding of the developmental continuum from three years old to fourth grade and foster a joyful, inclusive art studio environment where young artists learn to express themselves through a wide variety of media—including tactile exploration, drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, and ceramics. The Lower School Art Teacher must have hands-on experience managing a ceramics studio, including the safe and responsible operation and maintenance of an electric kiln.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
The following duties are representative of the role; responsibilities may evolve to meet the needs of the department and school community: Plan and facilitate age-appropriate, process-oriented studio art experiences tailored to the developmental spectrum of Playgroup through 4th-grade learners. Design activities that prioritize creative process over final product for the youngest learners, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, sensory discovery, and motor-skill development. Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized art studio and ceramics prep area. Ensure all materials, non-toxic glazes, and clays are age-safe and appropriately stored/handled according to school safety protocols. Manage art supplies, maintain equipment, order inventory within budget constraints, and prepare materials for daily class activities. Align classroom practices with Quaker values (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship), nurturing empathy, reflection, and mutual respect. Curate and display student artwork throughout the Lower School and organize regular student art showcases/exhibitions in the Art Gallery. Participate actively in division and department meetings, professional development, and community events.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Art Education, Fine Arts, Studio Art, or a related field is required an advanced degree is preferred. Minimum of three years of experience teaching visual arts to early childhood or elementary-aged children (Nursery School through 4th Grade). Deep understanding of toddler, early childhood, and primary-grade child development, fine/gross motor skill milestones, and sensory learning. Excellent classroom management skills rooted in positive, nurturing, and restorative practices. Interested candidates should send a resume, with the below information to recruitment@fa.org A cover letter expressing interest in and why candidate is qualified for the position; A statement of educational philosophy; A list of three to five professional references, with contact information.. Visit our career page
Salary:
The salary range is expected to be $73,000-$80,000. Actual compensation will be based on the candidate's relevant and transferable years of service, and other factors, which include internal peer equity, the market, and other organizational considerations. The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to talk and hear; stand and sit for extended periods of time; use fingers and hands to perform classroom activities and fine motor coordination; possibly exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, or otherwise move objects. The ability to move across and around campus grounds. Our Commitment to Diversity Friends Academy is committed to our guiding principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome candidates representing the diversity of the world as we deepen and elevate our educational program. Friends Academy is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to hiring and retaining exceptional, dedicated people of diverse backgrounds. We consider qualified individuals for employment with the School regardless of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex,or any other state or federally protected classification. We invite you to visit our FA Diversity,Equity +
Inclusion Page Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$73,000.00 - $80,000.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Professional development assistance Relocation assistance Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor's (Required) Ability to
Commute:
Locust Valley, NY 11560 (Required) Ability to
Relocate:
Locust Valley, NY 11560: Relocate before starting work (Required)
