PYP Art Lead Teacher Prek-5

Daystar Academy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Daystar Academy seeks a PYP Art Lead to design and deliver developmentally appropriate visual arts instruction for Preschool through Grade 5 in a faith-based IB PYP setting.

The ideal candidate will combine artistic expertise with a heart for faith-based education, guiding curiosity, meaning-making, and spiritual growth through studio-based learning.

Qualifications

• International applicants only if already paired with a Visa organization
• Bachelor’s degree in education, fine arts, and/or a related field preferred
• Growth mindset about teaching and learning
• Commitment to Daystar’s Statement of Faith and to teaching at a Christian school
• Commitment to the faith development of Daystar students
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a plus
• Experience in visual arts instruction across multiple grade levels is preferred
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, students, and families in a faith-based community

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe school environment indoors and out
• Participate in staff prayer and daily arrival duties
• Fulfill essential job functions and assist during drills or emergencies
• Be punctual and professional
• Model respectful interactions and be Daystar ambassador
• Maintain confidentiality about students and families
• Design and deliver art lessons for Preschool–Grade 5
• Integrate drawing, painting, art history, and other visual arts
• Assess student progress and prepare reports
• Organize annual Spring Art Exhibition and displays
• Engage in IB/PYP professional development
• Use data to inform instruction and support student growth

Skills

Growth mindset

Collaboration

Visual arts instruction

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, fine arts, and/or a related field

Job description

Reports to: Director of Lower and Middle School

Job Type: Part-Time Hourly, On-Site Position

Required: Bachelor’s degree in education and/or a related field preferred; PYP required training

Dates: August 10, 2026–June 11, 2027; ASAP

Work Days/Hours: Monday–Friday, 20 hours per week

Job Summary

The PYP Art Lead is a specialized visual arts educator within a faith-based, International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) setting. This individual designs and delivers engaging, inquiry-driven art instruction for students in Preschool through Grade 5, thoughtfully aligned with the IB PYP framework and the school's mission and values.

This role is ideal for a creative, mission-driven educator who brings both artistic expertise and a genuine heart for faith-based education — someone who sees the studio as a space where curiosity, meaning‑making, and spiritual growth intersect.

To learn more about the IB teaching style, visit https://www.ibo.org/benefits/the-ib-teaching-style/

All Staff Responsibilities

• Provide a safe school environment—indoors and out—per directives regarding building operations (keys, fobs, alarm codes), the Daystar Distinctives, and Responsive Classroom practices.
• Participate in brief staff prayer at 7:35 AM, Monday through Thursday, in the Gathering Place.
• Complete assigned arrival duties.
• Fulfill essential job functions based on one’s specific job description; and during times of school drills or emergencies, assist others as able.
• Be punctual, appropriately dressed, and prepared for work on assigned days and times.
• Model positive and respectful interactions with students and all members of the Daystar community at all times.
• Be an excellent ambassador of Daystar Academy at all times.
• Respect all school procedures and chain of command.
• Adhere to all requirements outlined in the Staff Handbook and comply with school policies.
• Maintain confidentiality about children, their families, and other employees.

General

• Ensure the safety and well‑being of all students at all times.
• Promptly communicate any observations or concerns regarding students’ academic progress, social interactions, or behavior to the appropriate Lead Teacher or administrator.
• Refer all parent inquiries or concerns to the Lead Teacher or Director.
• Collaborate effectively with teachers and staff through clear communication, problem-solving, flexibility, and encouragement.
• Support and implement the Responsive Classroom management philosophy and practices.
• Organize and lead an annual Spring Art Exhibition to showcase student engagement and achievement in the visual arts.
• Integrate faith into all teaching responsibilities in alignment with Daystar’s mission and Statement of Faith.

Instructional Duties

• Design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate art lessons for students in Preschool through Grade 5 that promote creativity, self-expression, critical thinking, and artistic exploration.
• Integrate instruction in drawing, painting, art history, and other visual art forms, fostering students’ knowledge, skills, and appreciation of the arts.
• Apply elements of design and modern principles of art effectively in classroom instruction.
• Demonstrate and teach the fundamentals and diverse techniques of drawing and various media.
• Differentiate instruction by providing individual and small-group support to meet the varying intellectual and artistic needs of students.
• Teach students the proper care, use, and maintenance of art tools and materials.
• Maintain organized and secure storage areas; manage materials and tools to prevent loss, ensure safety, and optimize instructional time.
• Assess and evaluate student growth in artistic knowledge, technical skills, and aesthetic understanding; prepare and submit timely progress reports.
• Plan and curate displays and exhibitions of student artwork for schoolwide and community events.
• Maintain professional competence by participating in professional development opportunities, including training aligned with the IB PYP framework.
• Use data consistently to inform instructional practice and support students’ academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the direct supervisor.

Professional Engagement

• Attend and participate in in-service training, IB Training, and other meetings as requested by the Director of Lower and Middle School.
• Collaborate professionally with teachers, support staff, and administration to maintain consistency and continuity.
• Use effective problem-solving, flexibility, and communication in collaboration with peers.
• Build trust through respectful and professional relationships with parents.
• Share relevant parent communication with the cooperating Lead Teacher.
• Defer parent questions or concerns to the Lead Teacher.
• Seek administrative approval for professional learning opportunities aligned with the program.

Minimum Qualifications

• While we welcome global applicants, we can currently only accept international applicants already paired with a Visa organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, fine arts, and/or a related field preferred.
• Growth mindset about teaching and learning.
• Commitment to Daystar’s Statement of Faith and to teaching at a Christian school.
• Commitment to the faith development of Daystar students.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) is a plus.
• Experience in visual arts instruction across multiple grade levels is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, students, and families in a faith-based community.

Daystar Academy School Year 2026–2027

DAYSTAR ACADEMY

Daystar Academy is a unique community where students are provided with a nurturing learning environment that allows them to explore, discover, and create. We are committed to more than academic excellence. Our curriculum allows students to engage with subject matter in experiential ways and promotes curiosity, problem solving, and respect of differences in thought and opinion. We foster a beautifully diverse student body that is made up of a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Our goal is to build a school community that reflects the diversity of the city and God’s Kingdom.

Daystar’s mission is to empower students to impact the world through a faith-based, culturally-engaged, globally-minded education. Our vision is to transform Chicago and the world by educating and empowering our students to live out the values of the kingdom of God.