Job Title: Teaching Artist Manager
Reports to: Program Director
Employment Status: Full-Time (40 hrs/wk)
CIRCESTEEM MISSION & SUMMARY:
To unite youth across all backgrounds and identities by fostering self-esteem and mutual respect through the
practice and performance of circus arts.
Social circus, the methodology used by CircEsteem, is an approach that uses circus arts to impact social change
through instilling confidence and leadership in young participants. CircEsteem promotes the development of
self-esteem, personal success and empowerment by (i) promoting the practice of circus arts; (ii) uniting youth
from varying backgrounds; (iii) providing social and emotional skill building; (iv) providing youth opportunities
to participate in leadership training which results in paid opportunities throughout their participation with
CircEsteem.
CIRCESTEEM VALUES:
Our Staff: We are creative leaders with a passion for youth development who are role models facilitating
culturally responsive relationships within our community through education and dialogue around social
emotional intelligence, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We approach this work with humility, patience, love, and
continued self-reflection. We are active participants in strengthening our organizational culture.
Our Community: We are a judgment-free, inclusive neighborhood hub, where youth build lasting relationships
through collaboration and performance. We actively partner with families and like-minded organizations
throughout the Chicago area to create resource-rich environments for the youth we serve.
Our Students: We provide youth opportunities to evolve artistically, personally, and professionally. Our
students uphold the principles of resilience, unity, creative expression, and self-advocacy.
Our Equity Lens: We meet youth where they are. In order to cultivate a safe space for participants to take risks
and experience success while being uniquely themselves, we have adopted practices that work to challenge
systematized class structures. We center youth voices as we support their growth as individuals and members of
the CircEsteem community.
CIRCESTEEM’s STATEMENT OF INCLUSIVITY:
We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with
disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. CircEsteem is an equal
opportunity employer who deeply believes in diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants will not be
discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age,
religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition
or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Teaching Artist Manager (TAM) is responsible for providing a community of circus Teaching Artists (TAs)
(approximately 20 - 40 full and part-time) with support, mentorship, training, and guidance through on and
off-site programming.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Professional Development
In collaboration with the Program Team
- Organize and develop monthly ongoing TA trainings
- Develop and implement new teacher trainings
- Identify new and organize existing TA resources
- Reevaluate and update curriculum/lesson plan with a Social and Emotional Learning focus
Hiring & Staffing
- Lead the TA hiring committee
- Recruit, onboard, and offboard TAs
- In collaboration with the Outreach & Partnership Manager, staff workshops, events, and short-term
programs
- In collaboration with Program Team, staff regularly scheduled programs
Community Building & Supervision
- Manage TA schedules/roster
- Support & evaluate teaching artists in and out of programming
- Create and populate monthly TA newsletter
- Liaise between TA community and Program Team
- “Cultivate Team Awesome!” - ensure the TA community aligns with CircEsteem’s mission and values
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES NEEDED:
- Formal teacher training or experience working with youth (in or out of school)
- Background with inclusive educational models
- Background in performing arts, circus strongly preferred
- Experience as a teaching artist
- Administrative experience
- Fluency in Google Suites
- Effective and creative communicator: digital and interpersonal
- Team management experience
- Restorative and trauma-informed approach
- Skilled at resolving conflict from a restorative standpoint
- Committed to anti-racism and social justice
- Experience working with diverse communities, including but not limited to race, gender, LGBTQIA+,
neurodiversity, social-economic status, family structure
- Spanish speaking preferred
- Ability to lift up to 20lbs to transport materials to programs as needed
VALUED QUALITIES & ATTRIBUTES
- Collaborative with a growth mindset
- Recognizes team assets, harnesses strengths and uplifts areas of growth
- Detail oriented and innovative problem-solver
- “Promotes Positivity” - Energized to engage in transformative change
- “With it and For it” Mentality - Ability and willingness to assess a situation and take initiative
COMPENSATION:
- Salary: $55,000 per year
- Employees have the opportunity for a 3% - 7% salary increase each year based on performance
- Benefits:
- Contributions toward a 403b retirement account or Health Insurance Plan
- Paid Parental Leave (after 12 months of employment)
- Quarterly Mental Health Stipends
- Free programming for children of employees
- Paid Time Off:
- 20 days paid leave for illness / vacations
- 10 Federal Holidays
Apply Now: If you are interested in applying for this position, please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeX9cvlNqLyriRxwsnodiYCScBiNApGS5AkhK34GtOauOiAoA/viewform?usp=sf_link
