About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to discover why we love school.
Position Description
The Pingry School Visual Arts Department Chair will lead an energized and innovative visual arts program that ignites personal growth, social awareness, and cultural understanding through art. Our curriculum fosters exploration of diverse media, empowering students to develop their creative voice and critical thinking skills. Students learn to see the world differently, appreciate diverse perspectives, and analyze the cultural context of art, gaining confidence to express themselves authentically and contribute to the vibrant global art scene.
We are seeking a dynamic art teacher/artist to join our community and serve as a specialist within our department of dedicated colleagues. As a member of our team, you will collaborate with Upper School and Middle School Directors to advocate for the visual arts discipline and support faculty growth. Responsibilities include articulating the visual arts curriculum, organizing department meetings, and coordinating student matters specific to visual arts. Additionally, you will oversee the department's budget and manage its spaces, including a professional level gallery (Hostetter Gallery), ensuring the continuation of our program's excellence and sophistication.
If you are passionate about fostering creativity, promoting cultural appreciation, and nurturing artistic talent, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of visual arts education at The Pingry School.
Faculty Responsibilities
- Teach 3 courses.
- Serve as an advisor to a group of students.
- Collaborate on the development and execution of a Spring Intensive course.
- Fulfill any additional duties as assigned by the Upper School Director.
- Participate in all required meetings.
- Participate in all required professional development activities.
- Provide extra support for students during flex and community times.
Department Chair Responsibilities
Institutional Support:
- Advocate for 6-12 curricular experience and institutional priorities.
- Provide regular updates to Division Directors.
- Collaborate on school initiatives and DEIB conversations.
- Support Division Directors in hiring processes.
- Alumni support.
- Admissions support.
Departmental Leadership:
- Articulate department curriculum and pedagogical practices.
- Collaborate on curricular initiatives and goals.
- Maintain alignment with Lower School programs.
- Organize department meetings and professional development.
- Ensure adherence to school policies and practices.
Faculty Support:
- Engage in faculty growth and evaluation processes.
- Organize faculty observations and support professional development.
- Provide instructional coaching and feedback.
- Communicate departmental needs and escalate issues as necessary.
Student Matters:
- Support student transitions and manage course placement.
- Foster student engagement and enthusiasm for department offerings in both divisions.
- Nominate students for academic awards.
Financial and Facilities Management:
- Manage department budget and coordinate spaces with Division Heads.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Studio Arts.
- Master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or relevant field is a plus.
- Minimum of 5 years teaching experience in the visual arts, preferably in a secondary education setting.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, such as departmental leadership roles or committee membership.
- Strong understanding of 6-12 (and ideally K-12) curriculum development, pedagogical practices, and assessment strategies.
- Experience with faculty mentorship, coaching, or evaluation processes.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum and school community.
- Proficiency in educational technology and learning management systems.
- Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively across multiple divisions.
- Familiarity with budget management and facility coordination is preferred.
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of the department and school community.
- In addition to honor and character, commitment to intellectual engagement, and appreciation for stewardship and sustainability, especially important is the candidate’s ease with diverse constituencies and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive school community.
Candidates are asked to submit the following materials in application: teaching statement/philosophy, examples of personal work including exhibitions and or publications, reviews, and/or any other professional work as an artist, and examples of student work.
Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.