Contracted K-12 Educator
The Olana Partnership
Organization Description:
The Olana Partnership (TOP) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to preserve and interpret Olana, Frederic Church’s artistic master work comprised of 250-acres of designed landscape; a Persian-inspired house and studio; and a historic farm complex. TOP operates Olana State Historic Site in a cooperative agreement with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Olana hosts more than 200,000 visitors annually and is a National Historic Landmark. TOP continuously introduces new educational programs to reflect our vision of Olana as a true teaching museum, offering diverse learning experiences like field trips, summer youth programs, family programs, virtual webinars, workshops, and classes, walking tours, performances, and events.
Position Description:
The Olana Partnership seeks two contracted K-12 Educators to join the Education Team and provide interactive experiences for K-12 school and youth audiences at Olana State Historic Site in Hudson, New York (about 2 hours north of New York City).
– These positions facilitate specific student, family, and youth programs on a contracted basis.
– These positions are not full or part-time employment and are paid a per-program rate.
– Olana’s school, youth, and family programs focus on art, environmental science, history, and architecture through place-based learning at a landmark site of American art, Olana.
– K-12 Educators at Olana lead field trips, weekend family programs, drop-in artmaking programs, and summer youth programs.
– All programs incorporate inquiry-based teaching strategies and hands-on activities for all ages.
– Trainings are provided in the Spring and Fall, for which Educators are paid.
– K-12 Educators work on selected program days when available Tuesdays-Saturdays.
Reports to:
Director of Education & Public Programs/ Education Coordinator
Job Requirements & Responsibilities:
– Facilitate field trips, school programs, family, and youth programs by engaging students, teachers, and families in inquiry and hands-on activities.
– Attend 1-3 trainings led by The Olana Partnership staff throughout the year.
– Work within provided program guidelines for each program and design lesson plans that are responsive to grade level, audience, and developmental needs.
– Prepare materials, research, and teaching tools for each group’s visit.
– Clean up after each program and aid Education Coordinator in maintaining organization of the Wagon House Education Center.
– Work with full-time staff to communicate about specific program needs, concerns, and/or evaluate programs as needed.
Candidate Qualifications:
Qualifications:
– Prior K-12 teaching experience is required.
– AA, AS, BA or BS in art, art education, education, history, art history, or museum studies preferred.
– Prior experiences teaching in a museum or cultural setting is appreciated, but not required.
– Excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm for working with school-aged children is a must.
– An interest in researching content related to Frederic Church’s Olana to prepare for field trips and an ability to learn and retain information to support age-appropriate program facilitation is required.
– A reflective approach and ability to think creatively.
– Ability to work independently and proactively while being a team player.
– An interest in fostering accessible and equitable experiences for school groups in museum and cultural spaces.
– Commitment to equity and accessibility within education environments. Documentation of this commitment preferred.
– English fluency required; Spanish and/or Bengali language fluency is a plus.
– Red Cross First Aid Certification preferred
– Must be able to carry chairs and tables (around 30lbs), walk longer distances during outdoor programs, and work outside in all seasons.
– Please note that all contracted educators will be required to go through a background check.
Position Type:
Contractor
Union Status:
Non-Union
FLSA Status:
Contracted (Per Diem)
Salary or Compensation:
Educators are paid $200 per school field trip ($100 for abridged tours). This rate is inclusive of prep, research and clean-up. The training rate is $20 per hour. This contracted role does not provide benefits.
Organization or Project Website:
http://www.olana.org
Application Info:
To apply, please submit a resume, short cover letter, and a sample lesson plan demonstrating your past experiences working with youth audiences in an educational capacity to education@olana.org