School Specialist

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Gallery Education, the School Specialist serves as a liaison between PreK-12 schools and other academic audiences, and the Clark. The School Specialist is responsible for building relationships with administrators, teachers and other professionals in select school districts, sharing information about the Clark’s educational pedagogy and programs, and working with them to learn how the museum can support their work.

Major Duties and Responsibilities [Essential Functions]

• Develop and build relationships with school districts and school administrators in Berkshire County, Southern Vermont, and the New York Capital District region with a focus on Title I schools.
• Serve as the school liaison - attend appropriate off-site school programs and meetings to build relationships with PreK-12 teachers, to share the Clark’s educational programs, and to identify need-based opportunities for supporting programs between the Clark and area schools.
• Develop, and manage the teacher advisory group that advises and supports Gallery Education staff in the development of high-quality programming for PreK-12 school groups and teachers and whose members will serve as ambassadors sharing information about the Clark’s school programs with their colleagues
• In concert with the Head of Gallery Education and informed by the teacher advisory group, the School Specialist will help to develop museum education programs and tours for PreK-12 teachers and schools that support curriculum standards and demonstrate the power and potential of engaging with art and museums.
• Assist in the design, implementation, and evaluation of school tours. Work closely with the Gallery Education Programs Assistant to plan school visits and associated art-making activities when applicable.
• Lead tours when needed.
• Assist in the training and observation of docents that lead school tours.
• Collaborate with the Head of Gallery Education on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of professional development programs for PreK-12 teachers.
• In concert with the Head of Gallery Education, write copy for the quarterly teacher newsletter. With the Gallery Education Programs Assistant, manage the production and distribution of the newsletter and continue to grow the teacher and school district contact list.
• In concert with the Head of Gallery Education, write and design teacher resources (interdisciplinary classroom curricula, self-guided materials, and pre/post visit tour materials) that connect to the Clark’s permanent collection and special exhibitions and support state and federal standards.
• Develop feedback and evaluation tools for school tours and teacher programs and analyze the responses in collaboration with the Head of Gallery Education. Work with Gallery Education Programs Assistant to distribute and collect.
• Actively participate in department meetings and other staff committees.
• Some travel is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Art history background with a focus on European and American art.
• Curriculum development and teaching experience
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, public relations, and cultural competency skills.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently to achieve results.
• Proven ability to devise or modify and adapt existing methods, processes, procedures, or standards to meet new or unusual requirements.
• Familiarity in working with school districts, school administrators, classroom teachers, and a diverse audience of students in a variety of environments.
• Familiarity with object-based learning and different learning styles.
• Previous experience in program development.
• Must be able to work some weekend, holidays, and evenings.

Preferred 

• Master’s degree or M.Ed.
  

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience required.