Elementary Art Teacher

K–5 PYP Art Teacher

Tarbiyah Academy | Full-Time | In-Person

Reports to: Head of Lower School

Salary Range: $40,000–$70,000 (based on placement on salary scale)

Tarbiyah Academy is seeking a creative, mission-aligned, and inquiry-minded K–5 PYP Art Teacher to bring the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to life through the visual arts within a holistic Islamic educational framework.

As a PYP Art Teacher, you are responsible for teaching a visual arts program that is intellectually engaging, spiritually grounded, and developmentally appropriate. You will teach art as both a discipline and a language of inquiry, helping students explore ideas, express identity, and deepen their connection to the world around them and their Creator.

At Tarbiyah Academy, teaching is both a professional responsibility and an act of stewardship. We are an incredibly relational and collaborative community, grounded in a commitment to purifying our niyyah (intention) in service of our students.

Pedagogy & Instructional Excellence

The PYP Art Teacher is expected to:

• Deliver high-quality, inquiry-based art instruction aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme
• Tweak an already designed K–5 art curriculum that develops students' skills across a range of media, techniques, and artistic traditions
• Collaborate with homeroom teachers to integrate the visual arts meaningfully into transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry
• Teach art as both a creative process and a form of inquiry, encouraging students to develop and communicate ideas visually
• Cultivate students' understanding of art history, global artistic traditions, and the Islamic visual heritage
• Integrate Islamic values, aesthetics, and character education authentically into the art program
• Clearly articulate what is being taught, why it matters, and how learning will be assessed
• Use formative and summative assessments, including portfolios and student reflections, to guide instruction and differentiate for diverse learners
• Provide high-quality scaffolding and timely, actionable feedback
• Engage students in reflection, critique, and ownership of their creative work
• Collaboratively plan with homeroom teachers and specialists to ensure coherence and progression across grade levels

Studio Culture & Student Development

• Create a structured, joyful, and emotionally safe studio environment where students feel free to take creative risks
• Establish and maintain clear routines and expectations for the safe, responsible use of art materials and tools
• Implement positive behavior systems aligned with school-wide expectations
• Support students' social-emotional growth and character development through the creative process
• Foster belonging, dignity, and respect within the studio community
• Maintain an organized, inspiring, and well-resourced studio space that supports optimal learning
• Curate and display student work throughout the school to celebrate learning and build a vibrant visual culture

Family Partnership & Communication

• Build strong relationships with families through proactive and transparent communication
• Contribute to three-way conferences and student-led conferences
• Provide clear and informative progress reports on students' artistic growth
• Share student work and learning with families through exhibitions, showcases, and digital portfolios
• Partner with parents to support student growth artistically, academically, and socially

Professional Collaboration & Growth

• Actively participate in collaborative planning and professional learning communities
• Engage in IB professional development and ongoing teacher growth, particularly in PYP arts education
• Contribute to accreditation and authorization processes
• Seek continuous improvement in instructional practice and technology integration
• Offer at least one extracurricular activity per week
• Support and contribute to school-wide events, exhibitions, field trips, and co-curricular responsibilities
• Contribute to the visual identity of school events, productions, and community celebrations

Spiritual & Cultural Expectations

Tarbiyah Academy teachers are expected to embody:

• Amanah (trustworthiness) in professional conduct
• Ihsān (excellence) in preparation and delivery
• Rahmah (compassion) in student interactions
• Shūra (collaboration) in team planning

Teachers are encouraged to engage in ongoing tazkiyah, self-reflection and intentional growth, to sustain patience, emotional regulation, and sincerity in their work. We believe that spiritual culture and professional excellence are inseparable.

Who You Are

• You are deeply aligned with the mission of an Islamic educational institution
• You have a genuine love and appreciation for children and for the creative potential within every learner
• You are a skilled artist and educator with strong command of a variety of media and techniques
• You understand differentiation and inquiry-based learning
• You see art as a vehicle for meaning-making, inquiry, and spiritual reflection
• You are organized, reflective, and detail-oriented
• You communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing
• You build strong relationships with students, colleagues, and families
• You are flexible, resilient, and maintain high expectations
• You thrive in collaborative environments

Salary Determination

Salary placement is determined by full-time teaching experience, state certification status, and highest degree earned (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate).

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Art Education, Fine Arts, or a related field from an accredited U.S. university
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Strong command of English, orally and in writing
• Demonstrated artistic ability and a portfolio reflecting breadth across media

Preferred

• State certification in Art Education (K–12)
• Master's degree in Art Education, Fine Arts, or a related field
• Experience teaching in the IB Primary Years Programme
• Experience in independent or Islamic schools
• Familiarity with Islamic art traditions and their integration into K–5 learning

Why Tarbiyah Academy

Tarbiyah Academy is committed to developing confident learners rooted in faith, knowledge, and character. We are building a school culture that values intellectual rigor, spiritual intentionality, collaboration, and growth.

We seek educators who approach teaching not simply as a job, but as meaningful work grounded in purpose.

To Apply

Send your resume through our application using LinkedIn. Then email your resume, cover letter, and a link or PDF of your teaching/art portfolio to our Arts Coordinator, Nadia Janjua, njanjua@tarbiyahacadmy.org