Posted: 21-May-26
Location: San Francisco, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $72,999 to $130,000 DOE
Job Title: TK-8th Grade Art Teacher
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Salary Range $72,999 to $130,000 DOE
School Description:
Presidio Hill School is an independent, progressive school located in the Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco and serves a diverse population of 220 students enrolled in transitional kindergarten to 8th grade, with a faculty and staff of approximately 45 people. Established in 1918 by artist-educator-activists Helen Salz and Flora Arnstein, Presidio Hill School is the oldest continuously operating progressive school in California, with a mission and deep history connected to social justice.
Presidio Hill offers its students a challenging, project-based curriculum that attends to their intellectual and social-emotional needs and prepares them to be agents of positive social change. Guided by a skilled and caring faculty, students learn to be confident and curious, to be creative problem solvers and independent, critical thinkers. Learning at PHS is collaborative and active. We place great value on the arts as both an academic discipline and an essential element of a meaningful life. Situated on the edge of the Presidio, our school takes full and frequent advantage of the park’s 1500 acres; whether they are studying science, art, social studies, or literature, the Presidio is a rich and vital “classroom” to our students.
Our vibrant, diverse, and supportive community allows students to explore their unique voices, traits, and talents; our emphasis on the importance of community and justice encourages students to develop self-awareness, personal character, resilience, and an understanding of their role as stewards of the planet and citizens of the world.
Presidio Hill School seeks a faculty and staff that reflects the broad range of diversity in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our school is strongly committed to promoting cultural competency in all interactions and programs. Invested in the growth, happiness, and preparation of our teachers, we provide generous support for their professional development.
Position Description
Presidio Hill School seeks a full-time (or, if preferred, 80% FTE) TK-8 Art Teacher to begin for the 2026-2027 school year. Qualified candidates will demonstrate a deep understanding of the developmental nuances of children ages 4 to 14, a commitment to progressive education, and a passion for inclusive and multicultural teaching practices. Candidates will ideally have substantial experience teaching visual arts across an expansive range of media to students at both the elementary and middle school levels.
Art instruction at Presidio Hill is an integrated experience that draws on the broader curriculum across grade levels and connects to subjects including history, literature, science, and cultural studies. Our program is grounded in the belief that art is a way of thinking, making, and seeing the world, and we welcome candidates who are excited about bringing ideas to realization alongside their students.
In addition to providing excellent teaching and maintaining effective communication with parents and students, the PHS Art Teacher is expected to contribute to the greater school community through work on various committees and for a range of school events. PHS teachers collaborate closely and engage with one another in a positive manner. Strong interpersonal skills are essential.
Primary Responsibilities
- Establish a safe, joyful, and inclusive classroom environment where students feel comfortable taking creative risks through self-discovery, collaboration, and community engagement
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Design and deliver a rich and comprehensive visual arts curriculum for students in TK through 8th grade that is developmentally appropriate, employs a wide variety of media, and is guided by both student interest and grade level learning objectives
- Collaborate with grade level teachers and specialist teachers (Music, Drama, Physical Education, Library) to design integrated curriculum and support school-wide productions
- Coordinate rotating art displays throughout the campus and organize an annual culminating art show, potentially in collaboration with the classroom and music teachers
- Observe, assess, and communicate student development through narrative reports and parent and guardian conferences twice each per year
- Supervise parent volunteers
- Seek professional development resources, training, and experiences related to visual arts, progressive pedagogy, and multicultural education
- Set up the classroom, order and manage materials, maintain a classroom and program budget
- Plan relevant field trips and learning celebrations
- Supervise recess and lunch duties
Secondary Responsibilities
- Participate in all-school events and processes as needed or requested by the Head of School and other lead administrators
- Support middle school clubs, electives, overnights, and/or challenge days
- Attend a limited number of evening or weekend school events
Skills, Qualifications, and Experiences
- Experience working in a multicultural environment
- Knowledge of progressive education
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and core values of Presidio Hill School
- Deep knowledge of visual arts practice across a wide range of media
- 3-5 years of art teaching experience, ideally including both elementary and middle school grades
- Curiosity regarding curriculum design and varied pedagogical approaches to arts education
- A personal style that inspires students, builds strong relationships, and promotes equity and inclusion
- Good humor, energy, a passion for teaching, and a love of learning
- Experience and interest in supervising students on field trips and short overnight trips
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Comfort using technology to support teaching, communication, and report writing, including Google Workspace, iPads, and EdTech tools appropriate for arts education
- A Bachelor's degree. A graduate or in-progress graduate degree in arts or arts education is desirable
- Previous experience in an independent school setting is a plus
- Ability to provide proof of Fingerprint, SB 848, and TB clearance
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation with annual planned salary adjustments
- 5% employer contribution to your 403(b) retirement account
- 100% coverage of employee medical and dental premiums, plus 50% coverage for one dependent
- Optional pre-tax transit and parking benefit
- Lunch stipend
- Supportive leadership and a collegial community
Interested candidates should complete our job application form referencing the Art Teacher position. Please upload a cover letter, resume, contact information for educational employers, and letters of reference by May 27th, 2026.
Email us at hiring@presidiohill.org with any questions. To learn more about PHS, please visit our website.
