Chicago High School for the Arts

The Chicago High School for the Arts seeks a dynamic part-time teaching artist for the 2025-26 school year in the Dance Department to teach the following course:

Job Identification:

Title: Dance Instructor
Department: Dance
Classification: Part-time instructor

General Summary:

The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts ®) develops the next generation of artistically gifted, diverse scholar artists through intensive pre-professional training in the arts, combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school approaches the development of students through a whole-student approach and through a continuous learning environment for all staff to continuously develop their understanding of our scholar-artists. We strive to build upon and improve our practices to make sure we are always serving all of our students to the best of our abilities.

Position Summary:

Classroom and professional duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Embrace and promote the ChiArts vision, mission, educational approach, goals, and core values
• Prepare structured lessons that encourage and foster skill development, critical thinking, applications, and ethics
• Instruct conservatory-level courses, serving students with various learning styles, abilities, and needs
• Employ outstanding classroom management skills and implement the school code of conduct
• Regularly assess student achievement, skill mastery, and career development skills
• Submit unit plans on a timely basis
• Manage classroom administration and record keeping including grades, attendance records, student progress, and documentation of student work.
• Regularly communicate with students, parents, and other ChiArts staff to share artistic progress, encourage positive behavior, and resolve behavioral and artistic issues
• Attend and participate in faculty and administrative meetings, parent conferences, open house, other school functions, and in-service professional development sessions.
• Collaborate with the staff to develop "best practices" tailored to the unique philosophy and instructional approach of ChiArts and the needs of its student population

Dance Courses Offered:

• Ballet- all levels
• Modern - Horton & Graham focus
• Contemporary
• Hip Hop
• Tap
• African
• Spanish
• Yoga
• Conditioning
• Senior Repertory
• Intro to Dance
• Wellness 
• Professional/Personal Development
• Senior Open Studio

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Dance
• Minimum five (5) years of professional performing experience
• Minimum three (3) years of previous teaching experience at a pre-professional or professional level, preferably in the content area.
• Prior experience teaching high school students is strongly preferred.
• Illinois State Teacher Certification is preferred but may not be required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent curriculum development skills  
• Excellent classroom management ability

Salary 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Process 

Qualified applicants should apply directly online at www.chiarts.org and include all of the following: 

1. Cover Letter  
2. Resume 
3. Professional Educator License 
4. Contact Information including title, professional relationship, email, and telephone number for 3-5 Professional References.  Please do not attach letters of recommendation. 

Applicants who do not follow the submission directions will not be considered. Phone inquiries will not be accepted.  Please be aware that every item listed on a resume is subject to verification, and that any offer of employment is contingent on a successful reference and background check.  

Please visit www.chiarts.org for more information. 

The Chicago High School for the Arts (“ChiArts”) began its life as part of a quest for greater diversity among Chicago’s arts and cultural institutions.  ChiArts continues that quest by building holistic diversity at all levels, including students, faculty, staff, and board of directors.  As part of that continuing quest, ChiArts embraces and carries into effect the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance.