UPPER SCHOOL THEATRE AND FILM TEACHER

UPPER SCHOOL THEATRE AND FILM TEACHER

Position Description:

Parish Episcopal School seeks an individual with vision, creativity, and strong collaborative skills to join our performing arts team as the theater and film teacher.  The successful candidate must have a passion for theater & film, contagious energy, and spark students’ creativity. Strong collaborative skills will also be key in working with arts faculty and staff.  

The Upper School Theatre and Film Teacher leads a robust technical theatre program and growing acting and film curricula. This role, in collaboration with our technical director, facilitates the design and construction of all sets while serving as the director for the One-Acts festival and the Upper School play. The successful candidate will mentor student crews in lighting, sound, and stage systems to bring professional-quality productions to life. This position reports to the Director of Parish Arts. In the Fall of 2021, Parish opened the Noble Family Performing Art Center, a 50,000 sq. ft. facility that is home to a 600-seat theater, 150-seat black box, scene shop, music hall, dance studios and more. 

At Parish Arts, we encourage creativity through meaningful immersive experiences that nurture and ignite passions for the performing and visual arts. We strive to enrich the lives of students and foster belonging in the community as performers, creators and appreciators of all arts. 

The core values guiding Parish Arts are:

• Community - A commitment to innovative thinking, risk-taking, and dynamic problem-solving that encourages fresh approaches in both teaching and artistic practice.
• Creativity - The practice of working together, sharing resources and knowledge, and supporting growth through meaningful partnerships and shared learning experiences.
• Collaboration - The cultivation of a supportive, inclusive environment where relationships are valued, differences are celebrated, and every member feels like they belong and contribute to the collective success.
• Support & Flexibility - A culture that recognizes and adapts to individual needs through community support while maintaining high standards.
• Autonomy & Trust - The respect and freedom to make independent artistic choices while remaining connected to our mission and vision, with the confidence that those choices will be supported.

Essential Functions:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Teach sections of Technical Theatre, Acting, and/or film each trimester.  
• Cast and direct Upper School Play and One-Act festival.
• Oversee all technical elements for theatrical productions, including lighting, sound, projections, and basic stage operations in collaboration with our Technical Director.
• Design or supervise lighting and sound designs for school productions and events in collaboration with our Technical Director.
• Train and supervise student technicians during rehearsals, performances, and events.
• Create and manage technical production schedules in collaboration with directors, teachers, and administrators.
• Create a classroom environment that promotes an exemplary learning community: enriched by differences and informed through inquiry.
• Plan and implement clear, well-thought-out lesson plans that focus on student-first, hands-on, experiential learning and real-world situations, and generate enthusiasm and academic excellence in the classroom.
• Use a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional and assessment methods to meet the needs of all learners and provide varied forms of feedback on learning.
• Communicate in a timely, clear, and effective manner with students, parents, and colleagues, informally and formally.
• Highlight students’ successes and areas of growth through assessment.
• Conduct parent teacher conferences at scheduled intervals and on an as needed basis.
• Serve as a dynamic colleague and professional, collaborating with department and divisional colleagues.
• Actively participate in the department’s work, including curriculum development, collaboration on projects and events, and supporting student learning experiences both in and beyond the classroom.
• Monitor the academic, personal, emotional, and social progress of students.
• Prepare course materials, including teaching and testing materials, articles, workbooks, manuals, and assignments. 
• Prepare students for next grade level.
• Prepare students for future courses and make proper course recommendations.
• Act as the advisor for one section of students. Advisors serve as the point person for communication with the parents of the advisory students.
• Manage and monitor student learning and performance.
• Coordinate with other instructors and administration to develop the whole child.
• Maintain professional credentials as required by Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) or other accrediting agencies.
• The use of technology in instruction is an expectation as well as being able to provide a basic level of support to students in a BYOD environment. Additionally, candidates should be proficient in utilizing technology for administrative functions including, but not limited to, grading, attendance, resource sharing, and communications.
• Demonstrates dependability through consistent attendance, punctual arrival, and readiness to perform assigned duties according to the established work schedule.
• Perform assigned duties such as carpool, study hall, and lunch duties.

 Qualifications/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree is preferred.
• Creativity in curriculum development, project-based learning and differentiated lesson planning for Upper School Theatre, Technical Theatre, & Film classes.
• Ability to interact with parents, faculty and staff, and handle confidential material and situations with discretion and sensitivity.
• Organizational skills for rehearsals and large-scale performances
• Manage program budget, including forecast, purchase and management of classroom supplies and equipment.
• Strong communication skills, a sense of humor, humility, and empathy.
• Able to set goals and accept professional feedback.
• Ability to interact with parents, faculty and staff, and handle confidential material and situations with discretion and sensitivity.
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills to productively, professionally and empathetically communicate with students, parents, the entire school community and wide variety of school constituents.
• Classroom management skills and adherence to school policies.
• Commitment to positive and active participation in the life of the school.
• Ability to meet physical and mental requirements of the position.

Specific Skills/Abilities:  

• Show a demonstrated commitment to belonging and inclusion (e.g., familiarity with concepts; evidence of relevant personal growth; examples of relevant practice, etc.).
• Be a motivated collaborator, possess a strong work ethic, and have a positive spirit.
• Adhere to Parish Episcopal Characteristics of Effective Teaching. 
• Implement our IMPACT curriculum which focuses on habits of work and mindfulness. 
• Promote the School’s mission statement and educational philosophy.

Training and Marginal Duties:

•     Participate in all requisite School trainings.

•    Attend required staff development, training sessions, and conferences throughout the year.

•     Attend periodic in-service meetings.

•     Attend Chapel.

•     Attend Department & Team Meetings.

•      Attend school events such as Upper School ‘Meet the Teacher’ night, Admission Open House, Fieldtrips/Class Trips.

•     Ability to periodically support before and after-school or weekend events.

•   Acknowledge receipt of the current Employee Handbook and are responsible for reviewing the contents and abiding by rules, policies and procedures stated in the Handbook or otherwise by the School.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

•     Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate.
•     Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time; ability to observe students from various distances.
•     Frequently required to move around the campus/office/classroom; works at a desk for extended periods of time.
•     Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30lbs. across the campus/classroom/office.
•     Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, fellow staff and community members.

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Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.  This job description reflects administration’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts administration’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

 All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

About Parish Episcopal School 

Founded in 1972, Parish Episcopal School is a leading, co-educational (PreK – 12th grade) college preparatory independent school in Dallas, Texas, serving approximately 1220 students of all faiths. Inspired by its values of Wisdom, Honor and Service, the School’s inclusive Episcopal community guides young people to become creative learners and bold leaders prepared to impact our complex global society by realizing and fostering their passions in a warm, joyful and balanced learning environment, and engaging them in challenging core curriculum and strategic programs that develop and inspire.

Educational Purpose & Philosophy

We develop good human beings: prepared, passionate, principled. 

• DEVELOP We are educators, mentors, coaches and guides – dedicated to developing the unique potential of every student on our care.
• GOOD HUMAN BEINGS At Parish, we aim to develop young people formed intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually and morally.
• PREPARED Preparation is key to success in a complex and ever-changing world. At Parish, we equip students with the knowledge, skills and mindsets they’ll need to navigate life’s challenges and accomplish their goals and dreams.
• PASSIONATE Passion is fuel for a joyful life. At Parish, we help students uncover what excites and inspires them – so they feel more alive, more fulfilled and more excited about the future.

• PRINCIPLED Principles create the moral compass for life. Rooted in Wisdom, Honor and Service, Parish students strive not just to succeed, but to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the world around them.

For more information about Parish Episcopal School, visit www.parish.org.

The School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All Employees are responsible for complying with the School’s equal employment opportunity policy.