Lead Gallery Teacher

Cleveland Museum of Art; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,746,000 - 71,362,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Partner level membership to CMA

Free Garage Parking

Paid Time Off

401(k) with company match

Store discount

Job summary

The Cleveland Museum of Art seeks a Lead Gallery Teacher to supervise and mentor the gallery teaching team, while delivering engaging, inquiry-based learning for PreK–12 audiences in galleries and programs. The role partners with the Director of School and Teacher Programs to refine teaching practices, broaden curricular connections, and evaluate programs.

The position emphasizes leadership, onboarding new instructors, collaboration with education staff, and growing inclusive gallery experiences

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Art Education, Education, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of museum teaching experience with inquiry-based and student-centered learning.
• Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience within a teaching or team environment.
• Advanced knowledge of art, art history, and teaching strategies for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; inclusive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple interactive gallery learning experiences per day for PreK–12 students and youth audiences.
• Directly supervise the Gallery Teaching team; coach and guide teaching practice and growth.
• Plan and facilitate professional development sessions and training for the gallery teaching team.
• Coordinate Gallery Teachers’ tour assignments and ensure smooth entry for school groups.
• Onboard and train new Gallery Teachers.
• Support development and assessment of gallery teaching strategies and lesson plans.
• Contribute to curriculum connections for object-based learning across on-site, community, and virtual programs.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Training

Curriculum design

Team coordination

Communication

Multilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PowerPoint

Zoom

Google Meet

Job description

Description

The Lead Gallery Teacher at the Cleveland Museum of Art supports the museum’s mission by facilitating interactive, inquiry-based learning experiences for PreK–12 audiences and managing the gallery teaching team. In addition to teaching in the galleries, the Lead Gallery Teacher serves as a mentor, leading training and onboarding new Gallery Teachers, and collaborating closely with the Director of School and Teacher Programs to refine teaching practice, curricular connections, and program evaluation. This role supports teaching excellence, consistency, and innovation across the gallery teaching programs.

Job Details

Description

The Lead Gallery Teacher at the Cleveland Museum of Art supports the museum’s mission by facilitating interactive, inquiry-based learning experiences for PreK–12 audiences and managing the gallery teaching team. In addition to teaching in the galleries, the Lead Gallery Teacher serves as a mentor, leading training and onboarding new Gallery Teachers, and collaborating closely with the Director of School and Teacher Programs to refine teaching practice, curricular connections, and program evaluation. This role supports teaching excellence, consistency, and innovation across the gallery teaching programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple interactive gallery learning experiences per day for PreK–12 students and youth audiences.
• Directly supervises the Gallery Teaching team, maintaining and tracking performance, while coaching and guiding individual teaching practice and professional growth.
• Plan and facilitate professional development sessions and exhibition trainings for the gallery teaching team.
• Collaborate with the Coordinator of School Programs to schedule Gallery Teachers’ tour assignments as well as assist with ensuring a smooth entry sequence for school and youth groups.
• Serve as the primary point person for Shaker IB tours, coordinating communication and ensuring high-quality learning experiences.
• Onboard and train new Gallery Teachers.
• Support the development, documentation, and assessment of gallery teaching strategies and lesson plans.
• Assist in the continued growth of the Community Liaison project as a key strategy for expanding community engagement and creating more inclusive gallery teaching experiences.
• Contribute to curriculum connections for object-based learning experiences across on-site, community, and virtual programs.
• Teach across the CMA collection, demonstrating advanced knowledge of multiple collection areas and gallery teaching strategies.
• Maintain strong communication with teachers, external partners, and education staff to ensure high-quality visitor experiences.
• Support the coordination and facilitation of large departmental programs such as Summer Creativity Camp, teacher professional development, and other school events, collaborating with the Manager of School Partnerships.
• Participate in regular reflection, research, and team meetings to strengthen pedagogical practice.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Art Education, Education, or related field; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of museum teaching experience with demonstrated success in inquiry-based and student-centered learning.
• Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience within a teaching, training, or team-based environment.
• Advanced knowledge of art, art history, and teaching strategies relevant to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.
• Comfort with technology and digital learning tools (PowerPoint, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.).
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, ASL, or other languages in addition to English strongly preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively, think creatively, and adapt to changing needs and schedules.
  
  

Hourly rate: $24.75 / 35 hour work week

Application Material: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references

Full-time Benefits Include

• Partner level membership to CMA
• Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
• 50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
• Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
• Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
• 20% discount in the museum store
• 25% discount in the museum restaurant and café
• Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• HSA
• FSA
• 401(k) with company match
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• ID Theft
• Legal Services
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off