Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.

We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.

We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world. ~The Park School Mission 

The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 845 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning; to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers; and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.

The Position

The Park Arts Department seeks a Theater Arts teacher to teach primarily Upper School students in a student-centered theater program that offers both curricular drama classes and extracurricular theater opportunities, beginning fall 2022. The Theater Arts teacher is expected to teach classes in acting, improvisation, and scene creation, as well as an elective in theater-related subject matter in an area of speciality, such as directing, playwriting, devised work, movement-based theater and/or dance, and acting for the camera, among other possible topics. The Theater Arts teacher will also coach advanced students through their first directing experiences. While the position is primarily associated with the Upper School, we seek candidates who value and are open to cross-divisional and cross-disciplinary teaching and collaboration. The Park Department of Theater Arts is committed to examining and grappling with issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation in the performing arts both at Park and in the wider world, and we seek a colleague committed to examining best practices in theater pedagogy through the lenses of equity and inclusion in representation.  The Theater Arts curriculum and program currently include both classical and contemporary plays, musical theater, and exploration of voice and speech, stage combat, improvisation, playwriting, movement, film, theatrical design, directing, dramaturgy, stagecraft, and interdisciplinary devised work.  In addition to teaching classes, the Theater Arts teacher directs two to three mainstage productions each school year and collaborates with other performing arts faculty and student artists on smaller-scale curricular and extracurricular productions.  Experience with and interest in working with students of different ages is a plus.

The Context

Park Arts Mission Statement (2021)

The Park Arts Department encourages authentic artistic development and  supports the rich inner lives of our students.  We foster flexible thinking, artistic skills, aesthetic curiosity, and personal expression.  We see our students as innately creative and ask them to explore a variety of perspectives, media, and modalities.  Park students’ path to artistic growth includes play, consistent practice, embrace of mistakes, and joyful connection to their identities, each other, and the wider world. 

Desired Skills

• Passion for working with adolescents and supporting their artistic development both within a progressive school context and the wider community
• Commitment to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Excellent communication skills
• Growth mindset and desire to grow professionally and collaboratively
• Ability to simultaneously manage classes and the many elements of a theater production
• Ability and desire to function and collaborate effectively as part of a team

Key Qualifications

• Theater teaching and directing experience with students in grades 9-12
• Professional and/or undergraduate/graduate-level experience and training in Theater
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, Master’s degree preferred
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills: should be be a proactive “team player” with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a wide variety of school-based constituencies

• Extensive knowledge of best practices in theater education 

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with students in grades 6-12 and openness to working with students in other divisions
• Interest in curriculum and program design and community-outreach oriented work
• Professional theater experience outside of a school setting

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales. 

In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:

• Faculty and Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: This program supports summer professional work by faculty on a distinctive scale. Established in 1989, FACA is supported by a $5.6 million endowment; currently, over 40% of all Park faculty participate in projects annually. Grants cover full salary for group or individual projects selected through a formal review process. Most grants are for four weeks; some are for shorter periods. 
• Tuition Remission: Under current policy, faculty and staff who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. All candidates, including faculty children, must meet Park’s standards for admission. (During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for aid through the need-based financial assistance program.)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Due to the large volume of incoming resumes, we cannot accept phone calls. Send a letter of interest, personal statement, and résumé. Please indicate whether you plan to attend any national recruitment forums. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year. 

Contact Person

Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School 
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net

The Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of any employee’s duties.