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Posted: 29-Apr-26
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: 61,800 - 94,760
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: 1071
Charles Wright Academy
2026-2027 Job Posting for US Visual Arts Faculty (Ceramics)
Start Date: August 15, 2026
Position: US Visual Arts Faculty
Reports to: Upper School Director
Supervises: N/A
Additional Terms: Exempt, 10-month faculty position, occasional travel and ability to drive required for attendance as community events, professional development and the occasional chaperoning of student activities.
Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Grounded in a commitment to both academic excellence and experiential learning, our approach invites students to engage deeply in purposeful, interdisciplinary study that connects classroom knowledge with real-world exploration and meaning.
The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential education, artistic, athletic, international travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. In a culture that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves, students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and joyful experiences for students each and every day.
Charles Wright Mission Statement
To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.
Position Description
This position is a full-time faculty appointment to teach four sections of high school Visual Arts for the 2026-27 academic year, including ceramics and potentially digital arts/yearbook. Courses taught in the Visual Arts Department at CWA include: Drawing/Painting, Digital Photography, Yearbook: Graphic Design, Glass Art, Printmaking, Beginning Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, and AP Studio Art. Faculty can teach any combination of the above courses and flexibility to teach more than one level is expected. Successful candidates will have experience teaching Ceramics, Sculpture, and Digital Photography, as well as have a personal artistic practice in alignment with the scope of the CWA program. Additionally, strong candidates should have the desire and ability to leverage our campus and the surrounding area to create engaging courses and activities.
CWA Upper School Teachers are assigned four courses (year-long equivalent) and an Advisory. They are expected to challenge each student to develop fully their intellectual, physical, and artistic abilities, and their potential for moral conduct and responsible citizenship with the School Mission and Portrait of a Tarrier as guiding documents. In addition, each full-time Upper School teacher is expected to lead one co-curricular activity with students (e.g. coaching a sport or serving as an advisor to a major activity), participate in the Experiential Education Program, which may include leading outdoor trip and international travel, as well as participate in the daily life and culture of the school.
Essential Functions
- Collaborate with the Department Chair and Upper School Director to design and implement an academic curriculum which is developmentally appropriate and effective for student learning, content mastery, and advancement of study and performance skills.
- Use a variety of instructional methods to create dynamic, engaging lessons, which support the diversity of learners within the classroom
- Models, imparts, and inspires enthusiasm for the subject to all students.
- Maintains complete engagement during school hours to engage with students through instruction, supervision, advisement, or conferencing time.
- Serves as an Advisor to a small group of students each year and delivers Advisory curriculum as appropriate; encourages and models growth of moral character.
- Maintains thorough and up-to-date communications to be fully engaged in partnership with students, families, and Advisors to keep them abreast of students’ performance and proactively to correct any lapse in performance or behavior.
- Engages in assigned supervision duties.
- Leads or participates in the Experiential Education Program, which may include overnight class retreats, domestic and international travel, and outdoor trips.
- Chaperone dances and attend extracurricular student activities, and other special programs.
- Collaborates to plan and host various arts-related school events and programs, such as the Art Festival, Art Walk, and Spirit Auction.
- Attends and participates fully in all scheduled faculty and community meetings, including admissions and prospective family events.
- Works in partnership with the Student Support Team to fully support the diverse needs of students.
- Lead and/or advise as a coach for athletics, advising an approved club, or similar cocurricular activity.
- Serve as a strong supporter for diversity and inclusion and be a constant champion for student belonging.
- Maintain confidential information as appropriate.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
Requirements
Skills & Abilities
- Awareness of the intellectual, physical, emotional, and developmental needs of adolescent learners.
- Willingness and ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration with colleagues and administration.
- Possess a passion for working with adolescents.
- Commitment to experiential education and ability to model and implement the school’s Mission Statement, Values, Portrait of a Tarrier, and our DEIB Inclusion Statement.
- Thorough understanding of appropriate pedagogy and best practices of adolescent education.
- Strong supervisory, self-management, and leadership skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Creative analytical and problem-solving skills.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in related field, masters’ preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the academic subject.
- Demonstrated success and experience in teaching high school students in the subject area.
- Familiarity with educational technology preferred, including Zoom and Google G-Suite for education to deliver lessons in a remote and/or hybrid teaching mode when needed.
- Experience with Mac hardware and systems is preferred.
- Experience using a Project Based Learning (PBL) framework and/or enthusiastic willingness to learn and utilize.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to move easily around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed.
- Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families with appropriately sensitive and accurate communication skills.
Salary & Benefits
This position has a salary range between $61,800 and $94,760 depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.
Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 80 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.
Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.
Paid Holidays: CWA offers 15 paid holidays per year.
Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees, Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission of 50% for those choosing to enroll eligible students at CWA, 50% discount of Extended Day child care services and Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students.
Application Process
To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements (both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent supervisor) via ADP or charleswright.org where this posting occurs.
Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.
Inclusion Statement
Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community.
We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve.
The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020)
