Verified Job
Teacher / Tutor
Music Teacher (K-8)
Teacher / Tutor
#729573
Remote / WFH
Battle Creek Public Schools
Job Description
Position Summary:
The Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts seeks an inspiring and versatile Music Teacher to engage students in grades K-8, fostering a dynamic, arts-integrated learning environment where music is seamlessly incorporated into core academic subjects. The Music Teacher will guide students through foundational music concepts and performance skills, promoting creativity, self-expression, and storytelling abilities. The curriculum will include vocal and instrumental music, rhythm, melody, cultural diversity, and digital music exploration, alongside performance skills such as improvisation, acting, character development, and stage presence to enhance dialogue, movement, and expression.
Through this integrated approach, students will strengthen their critical thinking, cultural awareness, and academic skills while connecting music and performance to language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and technology. The ideal candidate will encourage self-expression, foster critical thinking, and deepen cultural understanding through the arts. The teacher will collaborate with classroom educators on planning arts-embedded classroom lessons, portfolio development, organizing art displays, and promoting community-based learning. Students will engage in multidisciplinary arts activities, using music, dance, visual arts, and digital media to enhance storytelling, sequencing, and academic proficiency in a joyful, inclusive environment that values collaboration and creativity.
Position Responsibilities:
Instructional Delivery
Music and Performance Fundamentals: Teach rhythm, melody, harmony, and performance skills through vocal, instrumental, and performance exploration activities, fostering an appreciation for various genres and cultures
Arts-Integrated Curriculum Development: Collaborate with educators to design interdisciplinary lessons that connect music and performance with language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, enhancing student creativity and academic growth.
Cultural and Historical Perspectives: Introduce students to globally diverse music traditions and theatrical performances, enhancing cultural awareness and understanding of historical contexts.
Student-Centered Learning
Hands-On Learning Environment: Create a studio-like, engaging classroom that encourages self-expression, exploration, and collaboration.
Differentiated Instruction: Provide tailored learning experiences to accommodate students' varying musical and performance abilities and developmental stages.
Positive Classroom Management: Foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where students feel respected and encouraged to explore their musical and performance interests.
Performance and Creation
Grades K-8: Teach and share diverse music and performance styles to expose and develop student understanding of rhythm, cultures, and personal expression through student improvisation, simple techniques, collaborations, and group performances. Guide students in foundation and skill building in music and performance through diverse cultures to understand societal and interdisciplinary connections.
Use of Digital Tools in Music: Introduce students to basic digital platforms to build creativity and technical skills.
Assessment and Reflection
Holistic Assessment: Evaluate student growth through various methods, including reflections, performances, and peer feedback.
Facilitate Self-Reflection and Peer Review: Encourage students to reflect on their progress and provide constructive feedback to peers.
Classroom Environment
Cultivate an Inclusive, Engaging, Dynamic Classroom: Foster a classroom culture that celebrates diversity, encourages collaboration, and values individual expression.
Promote Growth Mindset and Resilience: Support students in building resilience through performance and composition, promoting a positive learning attitude.
Resource Management: Efficiently organize and maintain music and performance materials, instruments, and resources to facilitate an effective, student-friendly learning environment.
Collaboration and Professional Development
Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning to refine arts-integrated instruction, DEI principles, student-centered learning, and climate management practices.
Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices in the arts and arts-integrated instruction.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with faculty across arts and academic departments to design integrated curricula for music and performance in artistic and academic practices.
Collaborate with Colleagues and Community Partners: Work with other educators and community organizations to provide meaningful integrated educational experiences connecting broader student learning goals to support authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences, experiential learning opportunities, and community sustainability.
Parental Communication and Engagement: Maintain regular communication with parents on student progress and development, while fostering an actively supportive and informed school community.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Music Education, or related field. Master's degree in Music Education, or related field preferred.
Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Music Education (JQ or JX) endorsement, or ability to obtain.
Familiarity with the State of Michigan fine and performing arts and academic standards.
Experience with interdisciplinary or arts-integrated teaching.
Prior experience in student-centered teaching, arts integration, project-based learning, culturally responsive teaching, SEL, and trauma-informed practices.
Minimum of two years of experience teaching music and performance with primary students preferably in an urban setting.
Experience with digital platform tools and production.
A practicing musician and performance artist with a passion for arts education and student-centered learning.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Proficiency in music and performance history, theory, composition, and a variety of instruments and genres.
Demonstrate ability to engage the interest of school-age children.
Demonstrate commitment to all students' well-being and success, including adaptability in lesson planning and teaching to support students with diverse needs and skill levels.
Commitment to ongoing professional development, eagerness to learn, and effectively collaborate with colleagues, arts partners, and community members.
Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks.
Core Values and Professional Standards:
Commitment to School Vision: Align instruction and culture-building efforts with the school's mission to nurture adaptable, compassionate global citizens, fostering growth in creative, intellectual, and social-emotional domains.
Student-Centered Teaching and Learning: Provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their education through active participation, personalized instruction, and collaborative reflection.
Arts-Integrated Education: Actively use creative expression to foster social responsibility and holistic student development, integrating arts practices across disciplines to deepen understanding and enhance learning.
Collaborative Leadership: Engage with colleagues, families, and community partners to create a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that reflects shared values and promotes collective success.
Excellence in Teaching: Commit to developing students into creative, intellectual, and responsible global citizens through high-quality instruction, effective climate management, and arts-integrated practices.
Commitment to Fairness and Opportunity: Advocate for fairness and the equal treatment of all students, ensuring opportunities for success in the arts and beyond while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.
Salary: $51,500 -$87,883
Contract: 188 Days
SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment. All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.
The Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts seeks an inspiring and versatile Music Teacher to engage students in grades K-8, fostering a dynamic, arts-integrated learning environment where music is seamlessly incorporated into core academic subjects. The Music Teacher will guide students through foundational music concepts and performance skills, promoting creativity, self-expression, and storytelling abilities. The curriculum will include vocal and instrumental music, rhythm, melody, cultural diversity, and digital music exploration, alongside performance skills such as improvisation, acting, character development, and stage presence to enhance dialogue, movement, and expression.
Through this integrated approach, students will strengthen their critical thinking, cultural awareness, and academic skills while connecting music and performance to language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and technology. The ideal candidate will encourage self-expression, foster critical thinking, and deepen cultural understanding through the arts. The teacher will collaborate with classroom educators on planning arts-embedded classroom lessons, portfolio development, organizing art displays, and promoting community-based learning. Students will engage in multidisciplinary arts activities, using music, dance, visual arts, and digital media to enhance storytelling, sequencing, and academic proficiency in a joyful, inclusive environment that values collaboration and creativity.
Position Responsibilities:
Instructional Delivery
Music and Performance Fundamentals: Teach rhythm, melody, harmony, and performance skills through vocal, instrumental, and performance exploration activities, fostering an appreciation for various genres and cultures
Arts-Integrated Curriculum Development: Collaborate with educators to design interdisciplinary lessons that connect music and performance with language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, enhancing student creativity and academic growth.
Cultural and Historical Perspectives: Introduce students to globally diverse music traditions and theatrical performances, enhancing cultural awareness and understanding of historical contexts.
Student-Centered Learning
Hands-On Learning Environment: Create a studio-like, engaging classroom that encourages self-expression, exploration, and collaboration.
Differentiated Instruction: Provide tailored learning experiences to accommodate students' varying musical and performance abilities and developmental stages.
Positive Classroom Management: Foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where students feel respected and encouraged to explore their musical and performance interests.
Performance and Creation
Grades K-8: Teach and share diverse music and performance styles to expose and develop student understanding of rhythm, cultures, and personal expression through student improvisation, simple techniques, collaborations, and group performances. Guide students in foundation and skill building in music and performance through diverse cultures to understand societal and interdisciplinary connections.
Use of Digital Tools in Music: Introduce students to basic digital platforms to build creativity and technical skills.
Assessment and Reflection
Holistic Assessment: Evaluate student growth through various methods, including reflections, performances, and peer feedback.
Facilitate Self-Reflection and Peer Review: Encourage students to reflect on their progress and provide constructive feedback to peers.
Classroom Environment
Cultivate an Inclusive, Engaging, Dynamic Classroom: Foster a classroom culture that celebrates diversity, encourages collaboration, and values individual expression.
Promote Growth Mindset and Resilience: Support students in building resilience through performance and composition, promoting a positive learning attitude.
Resource Management: Efficiently organize and maintain music and performance materials, instruments, and resources to facilitate an effective, student-friendly learning environment.
Collaboration and Professional Development
Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning to refine arts-integrated instruction, DEI principles, student-centered learning, and climate management practices.
Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices in the arts and arts-integrated instruction.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with faculty across arts and academic departments to design integrated curricula for music and performance in artistic and academic practices.
Collaborate with Colleagues and Community Partners: Work with other educators and community organizations to provide meaningful integrated educational experiences connecting broader student learning goals to support authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences, experiential learning opportunities, and community sustainability.
Parental Communication and Engagement: Maintain regular communication with parents on student progress and development, while fostering an actively supportive and informed school community.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Music Education, or related field. Master's degree in Music Education, or related field preferred.
Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Music Education (JQ or JX) endorsement, or ability to obtain.
Familiarity with the State of Michigan fine and performing arts and academic standards.
Experience with interdisciplinary or arts-integrated teaching.
Prior experience in student-centered teaching, arts integration, project-based learning, culturally responsive teaching, SEL, and trauma-informed practices.
Minimum of two years of experience teaching music and performance with primary students preferably in an urban setting.
Experience with digital platform tools and production.
A practicing musician and performance artist with a passion for arts education and student-centered learning.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Proficiency in music and performance history, theory, composition, and a variety of instruments and genres.
Demonstrate ability to engage the interest of school-age children.
Demonstrate commitment to all students' well-being and success, including adaptability in lesson planning and teaching to support students with diverse needs and skill levels.
Commitment to ongoing professional development, eagerness to learn, and effectively collaborate with colleagues, arts partners, and community members.
Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks.
Core Values and Professional Standards:
Commitment to School Vision: Align instruction and culture-building efforts with the school's mission to nurture adaptable, compassionate global citizens, fostering growth in creative, intellectual, and social-emotional domains.
Student-Centered Teaching and Learning: Provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their education through active participation, personalized instruction, and collaborative reflection.
Arts-Integrated Education: Actively use creative expression to foster social responsibility and holistic student development, integrating arts practices across disciplines to deepen understanding and enhance learning.
Collaborative Leadership: Engage with colleagues, families, and community partners to create a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that reflects shared values and promotes collective success.
Excellence in Teaching: Commit to developing students into creative, intellectual, and responsible global citizens through high-quality instruction, effective climate management, and arts-integrated practices.
Commitment to Fairness and Opportunity: Advocate for fairness and the equal treatment of all students, ensuring opportunities for success in the arts and beyond while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.
Salary: $51,500 -$87,883
Contract: 188 Days
SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment. All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.
