Upper School Art Teacher - Ceramics

SummaryThe Ceramics Faculty role is a creative, skilled, and student-centered teaching position within the Upper School Visual Arts Department at Principia School. The teacher leads foundation through advanced ceramics courses, guiding students in hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing, and sculptural processes within a safe, inclusive, and process-driven studio environment. Through thoughtful instruction and mentorship, the ceramics faculty member fosters technical skill, creative risk-taking, critical thinking, and the development of each student's artistic voice.Depending on experience and departmental needs, the ceramics faculty member may also contribute to additional visual arts courses such as Painting, Sculpture, or Integrated Studies, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. As a member of Principia's close-knit, mission-driven community, this role includes participation in curriculum development, student advising, and broader school life while supporting Principia's commitment to character education, creative exploration, and spiritual growth grounded in Christian Science values.Who We AreAt our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child-intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.Primary Responsibilities Teach Ceramics and Art courses for grades 9-12 at foundation through advanced levels, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, visual literacy, craftsperson-ship, and student voiceDesign authentic and transferable learning experiences that connect studio practice to students' lived experiences, contemporary issues, sustainability, and communityEvaluate student learning using clear rubrics that emphasize process, habits, and final work, providing constructive feedback that supports student agencySupport students in portfolio development, exhibitions, and community-based art opportunitiesDemonstrate strong commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping each feel successful and recognize their unlimited potentialPrepare students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens through inquiry, reflection, and artmakingIntegrate character education naturally into daily classroom and studio instructionCollaborate effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goalsSupport mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through regular communication and collaborationParticipate as an active member of the Visual Arts Department through weekly meetings, collaborative planning, curriculum development, and program reviewManage and maintain the ceramics studio and equipment, including kilns, wheels, pug mill, slab roller, tools, and safety proceduresOversee clay and glaze systems, including reclaiming and recycling materials using an industry-grade pug millManage the studio budget and procurement of materials with sustainability and responsible resource use in mindSecondary ResponsibilitiesDemonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potentialDemonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizensRecognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instructionCollaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goalsSupports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communicationParticipates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planningServes as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School studentsSupports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention effortsPursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoonsFulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assignedLead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activitiesAttends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travelPerforms other duties as assigned in support of the school's mission and programmatic needs Core Competencies Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.Leadership: Inspires and guides others with clarity, compassion, and accountability; supports individual and team growth in alignment with Principia's mission and goals.Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members' well-being and development.Resource Stewardship: Manages budgets, time, and resources responsibly and strategically to achieve departmental and institutional objectives.Minimum Qualifications Student of Christian Science preferred Supportive of Principia's guiding statements as articulated here: Master's degree in Ceramics, Studio Art, or Art Education preferred; bachelor's degree with significant professional studio experience consideredDemonstrated expertise in ceramics, including wheel-throwing, hand-building, glazing, kiln operation, and studio managementExperience teaching high school students in a studio art settingProficiency with learning management systems and digital tools to support instruction and assessmentCommand of a range of artistic media, enabling flexible and responsive use of tools and materialsPortfolio demonstrating professional practice and student work The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.Compensation and BenefitsWe offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor's degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. Equal Opportunity Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia-as an institution with a religious mission-gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.

Created: 2026-04-02