High School Drama Teacher

High School Drama Teacher | Part-Time (Full-Time options available)

Chesterton Academy of the Rogue Valley is a joyful, classical high school, rooted in the Catholic faith. We are entering our second year and are seeking a talented and dynamic part-time Drama teacher to join our team for the 2024-25 academic year.

The Role and Expectations: The ideal candidate will teach high school Drama for grades 10& 11 in the upcoming ‘24-25 school year. Our draft schedule has one combined class slotted for one 45-minute period, 2 days per week. Class sizes average 12-15 students. Close coordination between Music, Art, and Literature teachers is expected in order to maximize the integrated curriculum effect. We are incredibly flexible to work your availability into our schedule. We can work with any candidate seeking full-time employment who may be able to fill our other needs in Science, Math, History, Drama, or Debate. Our school is part of a schools’ network that provides detailed course plans and materials.

At Chesterton Academy drama begins in sophomore year where the students are introduced to basic acting skills. They will present a light comedy or several one-act plays. It continues junior year where they will perform a more dramatic work and it will culminate their senior year with a Shakespeare play.

Drama 10: Comedy
The course aims to familiarize the students with the vocabulary of the theater and introduce them to basic acting techniques. The class will meet four periods a week for one quarter. The class begins with some basic discussion on the importance of the arts and specifically the importance of the theatrical arts in conveying great ideas and great stories. It touches very briefly on the history of drama and its influence on society throughout the ages. It will include some basic dramatic exercises and then will culminate in the performance of a quality, comedic work (often a murder mystery or something along those lines). All students will be expected to take on at least one speaking role, memorize their part thoroughly, and portray this character to the best of their ability for a public audience.

Drama 11: Religious play (with a full-length production—Religious or Historical Play)
The second year of drama at Chesterton Academy centers on the performance of a dramatic and/or religious work. The students tackle richer literary pieces, explore more complicated roles, and learn to portray more realistic characters. By the end of this course students will have a fuller understanding not only of certain literary characters but also a deeper understanding of who they are and what part the Divine Author may be asking them to play in the drama of life. The course is one semester (19-20 weeks).

Drama 12: Shakespeare (with a full-length production):
Seniors at Chesterton Academy have the privilege of performing a play by the greatest of the English dramatists and poets, William Shakespeare. Shakespeare brings to life stories and characters with such profound beauty and vision that his genius is undeniable. He represents the height of the dramatic arts and Seniors have been aptly prepared in the preceding years to appreciate some of the depth and breadth of both his mind and heart as they embark on their own journeys in the great drama of life. It takes a whole semester (four periods a week) to successfully perform one of his works and it is not only the culmination of three years of drama but it also involves the integration of four years of philosophy, theology, history, psychology, literature, art and music.

We understand how specialized Drama and Theater expertise is and will lean heavily on experience. Three to five years of teaching experience is preferred, as well as experience in and passion for Theater Arts and Catholic classical education. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is preferred. The ideal candidate will have an understanding and appreciation of an integrated curriculum which allows for the connection between the humanities and the arts/sciences.

The candidate must be a practicing Catholic able to actively mentor the students in the faith, and willing to take the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium. Candidates must demonstrate excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills, classroom management and possess a track record of contributing to the vision and mission of an apostolic and educational enterprise.

In addition to teaching responsibilities, faculty at Chesterton Academy participate in the House system, which is designed to promote character and virtue, and to help students grow in holiness. Faculty members are required to attend daily Mass with the entire student body, and assist in leading spiritual retreats and school activities.

Chesterton Academy of the Rogue Valley is collocated with Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church in Central Point, Oregon. Our school opened in 2023 with both freshmen and sophomore classes. As part of our school’s growth, we will add a junior class in 2024, and senior class in 2025. Our school sings Lauds every morning. We attend noon Mass on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and on non-Mass days, our school participates in prayer or adoration.

Please visit our website for more information: www.chestertonroguevalley.org

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three to five references to Chesterton Academy of the Rogue Valley, c/o Mr. Jon Bates, admissions.carv@gmail.com