| Location | Hamilton, OH |
The School District of La Crosse is now accepting applications for a 0.70 FTE Limited Term Contract Arts Integration Specialist at Hamilton/SOTA I Elementary School, a kindergarten through 5th grade charter school. Projected start date: January 15, 2027
Wisconsin certification 1325, 1550, 1515, or 1536 is required. Multiple certifications are preferred.
Position Purpose:
The Arts Integration Specialist supports students'' academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth through creative drama and arts-integrated instruction. Working collaboratively with classroom teachers, the specialist uses engaging, developmentally appropriate activities to strengthen student expression, self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, relationships, and classroom engagement. The position promotes inclusive learning opportunities that respond to the diverse strengths and needs of students at Hamilton and SOTA I Elementary School.
Prefer applicants possessing the following qualifications:
Course work and other training specific to teaching Theater/Art/Music/Dance to Kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Theory and practice of creative drama for children, both as an art form and as a process for emphasizing creative expression, aesthetic growth, and critical thinking.
Knowledge and experience with story dramatization, storytelling, pantomime, shadow plays, puppetry, character analysis and portrayal, script writing, improvisation, voice and movement, and theatre games.
Familiarity with learning theories and arts-integrated approaches to instruction, including Howard Gardner''s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and inquiry-based learning activities of the constructivist models embraced by Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner.
Knowledge of computers and technological applications to the Arts.
Evidence of understanding current philosophies and practices in teaching related to multi-aged, non-graded, continuous progress approaches.
Ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, and staff.
Knowledge and willingness to work with a wide range of diverse student needs, backgrounds, and cultures, with a belief in the inclusion of all students.
Understanding of current issues on authentic assessments and the use of student portfolios, performances and demonstrations, developmental and curricular rubrics to determine learner progress rather than using just letter grades.
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
The ability to provide a safe and positive learning environment for students.
Knowledge of how creative drama, role-play, movement, storytelling, and dramatic play can support students'' social-emotional learning, self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, empathy, and relationship-building.
Understanding of trauma-informed, relationship-centered, and developmentally appropriate practices that promote a sense of safety, belonging, trust, and engagement for all students.
Ability to use creative drama and arts-integrated instruction to support students with diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs, including helping students recognize and express emotions, practice perspective-taking, navigate social situations, and resolve conflicts.
Position responsibilities:
Develops and implements lessons which reflect and follow district curriculum and which integrate age- and developmentally-appropriate practices for elementary school students.
Develops and implements lessons based on thematic units which integrate the arts with other curricular areas in coordination with classroom teachers.
Provides regularly scheduled creative drama and arts-integrated learning opportunities in collaboration with classroom teachers to reinforce academic learning while developing students'' self-regulation, communication, cooperation, problem-solving, empathy, and positive peer relationships.
Uses predictable, engaging, and developmentally appropriate drama activities to help students practice managing emotions, navigating social situations, expressing themselves, and responding constructively to challenges in a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
Collaborates with classroom teachers to identify student needs and integrate creative drama into academic instruction, classroom routines, and social-emotional learning, supporting student engagement, classroom community, and readiness to learn.
Coordinates instructional schedules with classroom teachers and administration to provide consistent arts-integrated learning opportunities while supporting classroom instructional planning and preparation needs.
Collaborates with other staff members in monitoring, planning, and evaluating student performance in intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. Uses observations and collaborative planning to identify ways creative drama and arts-integrated instruction can strengthen student engagement, self-regulation, relationships, and readiness to learn.
Plans, develops, and coordinates an end-of-year performance which involves all students and reflects the school-wide yearly theme.
Develops and implements assessment and evaluation processes which accurately reflect and summarize student learning.
Maintains accurate student progress and behavioral records.
Interprets individual student progress to parents, students, and other professionals through positive conferencing techniques.
Practices appropriate inclusion and instruction for students identified for Special Education Needs, English Language Learners (ELL), and High Performance Learners.
Actively participates in staff development and other professional growth experiences provided by the school district.
Maintains positive home-school communications and relations.
Completes additional tasks as requested by administrators.
Other duties as assigned.
Applicants are requested not to contact or send application materials to individual building principals. To be given full consideration, please closely follow the application instructions in WECAN and upload the required additional application materials to your WECAN account, including two letters of recommendation.
The School District of La Crosse is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of actual or perceived: age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, socio-economic status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender nonconformity, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, citizenship, military service, membership in the National Guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of Wisconsin or the United States, political affiliation, or any other factor prohibited by state and federal law.
The School District of La Crosse values equity and diversity in our student population as well as staff members. Applications from diverse segments of the population are encouraged and welcomed.
We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or government, or against any individual(s) who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.
Candidates seeking accommodations during an interview are encouraged to indicate such at the time they are contacted to interview.