Career Center

The Independent Day School seeks an energetic, versatile, and motivated Choral and General Music teacher for the 2022-23 school year. The position will include general music at the early childhood level (Pre-K to Grade 2) and elementary (Gr 3-5) and middle school (Gr 6-8) choral ensembles. The teacher will be expected to nurture understanding and appreciation of music from a variety of cultures and traditions. The teacher will present student performances for community events and participate in music festivals and other professional activities.

Teacher duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as general music teacher for PreK-2, as well as the music director/conductor for the grade 3-5 chorus and the Middle School chorus.
• Collaborate with other staff members to organize and direct school-wide events such as concerts, the school talent show, special events days, etc. 
• Teach the foundations and fundamental principles of music and choral music through engaging and developmentally appropriate lessons and learning activities.
• Teach and explore various genres of musical expression and the significance of each, as well as the significance of music throughout history and within various cultures; 
• Select and utilize appropriate and culturally diverse music, books and instructional resources to enhance learning;
• Provide individual and small group musical instruction; 
• Provide students the freedom to explore and express themselves musically; 
• Maintain and care for any school-owned musical property (instruments and equipment); 
• Plan for and coordinate musical programs for school assemblies, open house, seasonal programs and concerts; Plan for and conduct an annual school-wide performance in December; Plan and conduct an annual spring choral and instrumental concert; 
• Serve as Music Director for the Middle School musical;
• Opportunity to teach after school music lessons for additional income;
• Regularly communicate with parents and school staff regarding individual student progress;
• Establish a positive learning environment;
• Encourage and maintain the cooperative involvement and support of parents and the community;
• Perform extra duties within the community such as supervision of recess;
• Attend divisional meetings and school faculty meetings;
• Participate in faculty professional development programs.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven musicianship skills in vocal performance & piano accompaniment; 
• Ability to provide piano accompaniment for concerts, assemblies, and events; 
• Ability to choose age-appropriate repertoire and knowledge of appropriate music technology; 
• Excellent classroom management skills with both small and large groups; 
• Skill in classroom and program organization; 
• Ability to evaluate student performance and to present these evaluations in a manner that fosters higher student achievement; 
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education; 
• Strong communication skills to be used when 1) teaching, performing and meeting with students, parents, families and staff, 2) writing formal and informal letters, messages, plans and comments, and 3) collaborating with students, parents, families and staff to organize and implement all school-wide music performances and various assemblies; 

About IDS: The Independent Day School community supports and values the arts and sees the arts as a central component in developing cultural competence and global awareness. We strive to nurture the interests, growth, and accomplishments of each student in and through the arts.

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching general and choral music, particularly in the early grades
• Demonstrated understanding of growth and development in relationship to music learning
• Proven musicianship skills in vocal performance and piano accompaniment
• Evidence of ability to work cooperatively with administrators, teachers and educational assistants.
• Knowledge of differing styles and primary/elementary/middle school repertoire of music is required.
• Evidence of organizational ability and capacity to pursue tasks to successful completion
• Exemplifies helping students develop positive self-concepts and social/emotional skills
• Demonstrates capacity to promote the independence of each student as a learner and to effectively assess student needs and progress
• Effective communication with students, parents and colleagues
• BA in related field required