Visual Arts Instructor, Roots & Wings Program

About the Role:

The Community Ecology Institute (CEI) seeks an experienced visual arts instructor to join our Roots and Wings program—an immersive environmental education program serving homeschooled children through hands-on, nature-based learning. We are seeking an energetic and passionate instructor to inspire creativity and support the artistic development of our learners ages 5 to 14.

At CEI, we believe children thrive in environments that nurture curiosity, creativity, independence, and meaningful connection to both people and the natural world. The Visual Arts Instructor will guide students to draw inspiration from and connect creatively with the natural world, deepening artistic expression, strengthening observation skills, and promoting environmental stewardship.

While our Roots and Wings program takes place almost entirely outdoors on CEI’s six-acre Freetown Farm, art instruction is primarily conducted indoors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and facilitate hands-on, nature-inspired visual arts lessons and activities
• Scale art projects, as needed, by adapting a single core concept to match varying fine-motor skills, attention spans, and spatial reasoning, ensuring that every child can engage meaningfully with the same medium or theme
• Manage art studio and supplies, including managing the art supplies budget
• Collaborate with colleagues on planning and program development
• Model and implement developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and equitable teaching practices and classroom management techniques
• Nurture student development through academic and social-emotional support
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families and caregivers
• Provide regular updates on student experiences and classroom activities through monthly newsletters
• Motivate, encourage, and assist students in the process of creating art

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Applied Design, Education, Museum Studies, Environmental Science, Recreation, Natural Sciences, or related fields
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience working with children in an educational setting, e.g., school, camp, recreational program, museum, etc.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• CPR certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire)
• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• Ability to meet the physical demands of teaching in indoor and outdoor environments

Preferred:

• Demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for nature-based learning and/or object-based learning

Work Schedule & Compensation:

This part-time position operates seasonally from September through May, requiring an additional four weeks of preparation before the program start date and one week of wrap-up afterward. The 2026-2027 program year begins on September 14; however, the target start date for this role is August 17.

• $20,240 - $22,000 Annual Salary
• Schedule: Monday–Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Team members must attend bi-weekly meetings
• Additional hours as needed for developing curriculum, planning activities, purchasing supplies, drafting monthly newsletters, and attending biannual Roots & Wings family events
• Work is conducted primarily onsite at 8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD 21044

Benefits:

• Generous paid time off
• Professional development support
• Optional participation in CEI’s benefits package

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter and resume via Idealist by July 19.