Job Description

Position Title: Music Teacher

Department: Primary School

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Head of Primary and Lower School

Full/Part Time: Part Time

Position Purpose

This part-time teaching position requires skills in teaching classroom music to students in preschool through kindergarten. As a member of the Primary School faculty, this teacher leads lessons that develop and refine the students’ aural, visual, and kinesthetic connections to music. Incorporating music of various styles and cultures, the instructor provides opportunities to read and write melodic and rhythmic patterns using basic and traditional versions of music notation. These experiences lead to connections and skills that prepare students for Lower School music. The instructor collaborates with the Fine Arts team and Primary School classroom teachers to integrate music into projects and performances.

Key Accountabilities

• Design and develop age-appropriate music curricula aligned with educational standards and objectives. This involves creating lesson plans, selecting appropriate musical materials, and integrating various musical concepts.
• Expose students to proper vocal techniques, including breathing, pitch control, and projection, and lead them in choral activities or singing exercises.
• Provide basic instruction on musical instruments, fostering a foundation for musical skill development.
• Maintain a positive and productive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management strategies, ensuring students are attentive, respectful, and engaged during music lessons.
• Organize and lead grade-level or divisional performances where students can showcase their musical abilities. This includes preparing students, coordinating rehearsals, and implementing a successful event.
• Collaborate with vertical team members to ensure music curriculum continuity between Primary and Lower School. The vertical team monitors and advances the overall program's quality and students' progress and success.
• Maintain curriculum documentation following Primary School division requirements.
• Stay current with music education trends, methodologies, and resources by pursuing professional development opportunities.
• Attend and contribute to regular grade‐level, vertical, divisional, and all-employee meetings.

Opportunities and Challenges

The Primary School music teacher prepares students for Lower School music and choral performance. The teacher helps students develop effective habits, skills, and attitudes. The teacher must:

• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty, and care.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal identity, ethos, and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.

Growth Mindset

• Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development and in the practice of instructional strategies.
• Leverage the Student Formation Team's knowledge, skills, and abilities to support students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Pursue growth in relevant technology skills.
• Network with peers at other local and national independent and Episcopal schools.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth. Able to meaningfully receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to one’s professional development.
• Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with math curriculum, instructional strategies, culturally responsive instruction, and social and emotional learning.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in music, music education, or early childhood education is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching music is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Ability to work with children and adults in indoor and outdoor settings.

About St. John’s

St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving up to 500 students in grades PK-3 through eight. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character, and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not only as a school but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School –understand that they impact the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments, and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community. Do you dream of becoming the best educator you can be? Of coming to work each day with a sense of mastery, belonging, and purpose? Of working with fun, collegial, collaborative, growth-minded professionals? If so, you could thrive at St. John’s.

In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, financial aid policies, and other school-administered programs.

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