Bebo

The Enrichment Center Visual Arts teacher is hired to be a direct care staff person—working with clients throughout the program day regardless of the class or activity. This means that in addition to the art class, the Vis Arts teacher will be expected to assist clients with getting settled in the classroom, getting out their lunches, using the restroom (on occasion), etc. They are also expected to assist other teachers during their classes by supporting those clients who need it, as well as the teacher.

The Visual Arts class at the Enrichment Center is one of acrylics, brushes, fine art markers, charcoal, canvases and appropriate papers, etc… not one of paper plates, toilet paper rolls, crayons (though some clients like them), and construction paper. I purchase the best quality and quantity necessary for the teacher and clients to excel.

Each client at the Enrichment Center has his or her own individual artistic style, and I expect the teacher to help them develop those styles—not turn it into something the teacher thinks is better… like the teacher’s.

As for the actual class, I expect the teacher to
• pay attention to the abilities of the clients and not create lessons that are so far beyond their abilities that they fail.
• Challenge their abilities by building on them.
• Assist them with techniques without doing it for them.
• Keep lessons interesting
• Have respect for the fact that the clients are artists, too.
• Teach the same things that any art student would learn—just slower.

Art Teacher requirements
• Be 18 years of age or older, with a HS diploma, and verification of formal post-secondary art training/education
• Portfolio of your work (showing your ability and commitment to your work)
• Health Screening, Tuberculosis (TB), and DOJ/Fingerprint clearance before starting (reimbursed by Enrichment Center AFTER clearance)
• CPR/First Aid Training scheduled and paid by Enrichment Center
• Ability to break complex techniques down to the most simple/basic steps.
• Proficiency in basic through advanced painting (acrylic) and drawing techniques
**Acrylic on canvas is the primary medium for our clients**
• Knowledge of art history, and elements of various styles

Art Teacher must NOT "haves":
• Fear of people who are different from themselves
• “Ickiness” about helping someone who has just vomited, wet their pants, etc. (happens rarely, but when it does, we don't need a wuss.)

Art Teacher preferred “haves”:
• Goal of teaching art, probably in an academic setting
• Be in Junior year of BFA/BA in art and/or portfolio reflecting equivalent skill
• Basic through advanced techniques in other media (watercolor, printmaking, etc)

Art Teacher plusses :
• Previous experience teaching children (or adults with developmental disabilities)
• Experience having shown your work, curated the work of someone else.
• Bilingual: English/Spanish

Qualities for ALL Enrichment Center Teachers:
• Patience—people with developmental disabilities may not have immediate cognition, retain information readily, and may need the same information/lessons repeatedly until cognition and retention are sufficient to develop skills.
• Reliability: We are licensed by the state of california, and required to have a certain number of staff present for our number of clients.
• Mind open to new perspectives
• Willingness to respect a person as an adult even though he thinks and behaves at a child's developmental level, and is treated like a child by his family.
• Ability to admit ignorance of a thing/idea/etc.
• Ability to work professionally and joyously with annoying people (not necessarily clients)
• Take responsibility for your responsibilities.
• Willingness to learn
oAbout persons with developmental disabilities
oBehavior management skills
oTraining are

The artists have been studying mandalas for the last several months, and their journey has reached its zenith. They have translated their mandalas to canvas, and will be showing them at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 West Main Street, Merced. Originally, we were going to show them on the 3rd floor-- our floor-- a classroom floor... but then, we were offered the 2nd floor mezzenine gallery! We are very excited to be included with the other artists showing their work in the main and second floor galleries, and meeting and greeting the public at the art reception scheduled for Friday, June 13th, from 5-7pm.

Stuck in class, covering for ABSENT STAFF!!! I took advantage of my tether by photographing the clients' art. It always seems to be low on the list of priorities, but when my desk is so far away... it jumps up the list. Thank you absent staff.