2026-27 Lower School Art Teacher

K-4 Art Teacher, full-time

On-site Lower School Faculty, 2026-27 

About Burke’s

Burke’s is an independent K-8 gender-inclusive all-girls’ school located on a 3.5-acre campus in San Francisco and is one of California’s leading elementary schools with a 118-year tradition of educational excellence. Our mission is to educate, encourage, and empower girls. The school combines strong academic and co-curricular programs with an emphasis on project-based learning and personal growth in a diverse and inclusive community. Burke’s emphasizes the development of fundamental and higher-level critical thinking skills in an atmosphere of creativity, exploration, academic rigor, and joyful learning.

Position Summary

We are looking for an experienced art teacher who will create a joyful classroom culture that supports deep thinking, creative risk-taking, and social-emotional learning. An ideal candidate would be dynamic, willing, and able to collaborate closely with colleagues, and experienced in elementary art best practices.

Primary Responsibilities:

● Designing, planning and delivering child-centered, culturally responsive curriculum and assessments guided by the California Content Standards for Visual Art.

● Developing curricula using a backward design approach, incorporating effective strategies for differentiation and assessment.

● Adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs

and interests.

● Collaborating with grade-level teachers on integrated curricula to enhance each grade

level’s program.

● Working with the Upper School art teacher, the Fine Art Committee, and parent

volunteers on displaying works of art, including the 4th grade Showcase event, during

a Spring school-wide Arts Festival.

● Writing reflective reports for each Lower School student for mid-year and end-of-year

reports.

● Planning trips and special projects to support the art program.

● Supervising students during “Open Art” at morning recess time for students who need

extra time to complete projects.

● Being a positive and contributing member of the professional community at Burke’s:

performing supervisory duties, and attending weekly Grade Level Lunch and faculty

meetings as well as all Professional Development days.

Qualifications and Skills:

Below are the personal and professional qualities that we believe are important for the success of the person in this role. Unless specifically noted as a prerequisite for the role, these qualifications and skills are preferred. We know many candidates bring a full complement of experience, skills, and ideas, even if they don’t check every box of a job description. If you meet many of our criteria, please don’t hesitate to apply. Every application gets serious consideration, including those with skill sets that we may not have included here. We welcome all applicants who will bring a unique perspective and personal characteristics to our amazing team.

● B.A degree and certification in Art Education or Elementary Education with a specialization or a master’s degree in Art Education.

● At least two years of teaching experience as an elementary arts educator;

independent school experience is a plus.

● Responsive Classroom philosophy and techniques

● Experience and comfort with leading mindfulness with students

● Progressive philosophies of teaching and learning, as well as culturally responsive

pedagogy.

● Designing instruction that is student-centered, differentiated, and engaging.

● Designing and using assessments that drive and support learning.

● Integrating service-learning into classroom projects.

● Providing opportunities for learning through play, and inviting creativity,

imagination, curiosity, and tinkering into the classroom.

● Flexible, creative, possessing a growth mindset.

Burke’s does not sponsor employment visas. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Compensation 

Burke’s offers competitive compensation based on a salary scale ranging from $79,071 – $125,885,  based on years of prior experience and position requirements. Advanced degree stipends are in addition to base compensation. Comprehensive benefits are provided, including retirement plan contributions. The contract period starts on August 18, 2026, with two weeks of on-campus preparation and meetings.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Burke’s is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

California Compliance Notice:

In accordance with California law (Education Code §44939.5, as amended by SB 848), applicants for positions with educational institutions are required to disclose all current and former employment with California educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications

To Apply 

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQIA+ educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.

Interested candidates may apply by sending a cover letter, resumé, and references to burkes.workable.com.