Job Description – General Music Teacher

Become a Music Teacher with Education Through Music-Colorado (ETM-CO)

NOW HIRING FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

ETM-CO is currently seeking General Music Teachers to join a thriving nonprofit to provide direct music instruction to students in under-resourced schools in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. Some positions work with grades preschool-5, others with grades preschool-8.

Our mission is to partner with under-resourced schools to provide music as a core subject for all children, and utilize music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence. ETM-CO believes that every child deserves access to high-quality music education, taught by qualified and well-trained music teachers.

The music teacher is an integral part of this partnership between ETM-CO and the school. The music teacher implements the ETM-CO mission in the classroom as well as participates in the school’s community. We strive to create sustainable music programs. Once we have laid the foundation for a strong music program, we expect that the music teacher will be hired by the school.

Each music teacher’s program is designed in consultation with Education Through Music’s program staff and based on Colorado Academic Standards for music. Since each program and student population is unique, it is the teacher’s role to design and implement a standards-based curriculum, and they are supported in this endeavor by the ETM-CO Instructional Supervisor (mentor). Lesson planning is required and will be reviewed on a regular basis. We provide all ETM-CO Music Teachers with ongoing professional development, training, and coaching.

In addition to ongoing professional development, ETM-CO also offers:

• An elective employee-contributed health coverage plan
• Opportunities for tuition reimbursement
• Opportunity for alternative licensure (if relevant)
• Part-time and full-time teaching opportunities

All ETM-CO Employees are expected to do the following when performing their respective jobs:

• Represent the organization in a professional manner, with fidelity while supporting the mission, vision and values of the organization
• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision
• Interact professionally with other employees, vendors and school stakeholders
• Work effectively as a team contributor on assignments
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees, vendors and school stakeholders

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Teaching a standards-based music curriculum to students in ways that are relevant

and appropriately rigorous

• Engaging diverse learners
• Envisioning and developing a new music program for the school and students
• Planning and producing two all school concerts/performances each year (or two opportunities for each student to perform for an audience)
• Supporting the school’s model and vision for arts education. This might include arts infusion, student performances for community events, and after-school programs.
• Engaging in a regular process of lesson planning, feedback, revision, and goal-setting
• Participate in school and district-led meetings, trainings, duties, events, and other tasks
• Collaborating with ETM-CO staff, school administrators, colleagues, and parents
• Participating in the Annual ETM-CO Music Festival, All Together Now
• Participating in marketing and development initiatives as directed by ETM-CO, that may include: submitting exemplary student work, sharing stories/anecdotes, donor observations, directing students in performances outside of school

Job Requirements:

• Applicants who possess a BA or Master’s Degree in Music, Education or Fine Arts (Music Education is a plus) are given priority*
• Previous classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in musical literacy and performance on voice/instrument
• Sufficient music content knowledge in order to pass the Colorado PRAXIS music proficiency exam

Essential Functions:

• Training and/or experience with relevant pedagogical approaches or tools, such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, Dalcroze, Music Learning Theory, Modern Band, Jazz, Technology, Recording, Classroom instruments
• Excellent professional communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate with parents, students, and staff
• Proficiency with lesson planning tools, including but not limited to Google Drive, Google Docs, Pages/Word.
• Comfort with learning or using technology to benefit student learning

Commitment to our community:

• Reflect on and confront biases
• Engage in learning, conversations, and actionable practices to promote: anti-racism, social justice, equity, and decolonizing the music curriculum
• Demonstrate experience in and/or commitment to Culturally Responsive Pedagogies
• Cultivate a classroom environment that supports students’ Social Emotional Needs
• Demonstrate experience in and/or commitment to Trauma-Informed Practices
• Build relationships with students and parents/guardians, inviting them as partners in their music education
• Demonstrate initiative for professional growth by: seeking feedback, engaging in coaching, collaborating with colleagues, participating in professional development opportunities, contributing to the field of music education

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 – $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• 1st grade
• 2nd grade
• 3rd grade
• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• 6th grade
• 7th grade
• 8th grade
• Kindergarten
• Pre-K/ECE

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Public school

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Lesson planning: 1 year (Preferred)
• Google Docs: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Denver, CO: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Submit your application online by clicking on the apply button below.

Finalists will be asked to teach a lesson geared toward the students and content of the desired position. 

Notes:

• Prior to receiving an official offer, finalists will be asked to immediately undergo a fingerprinting and background check with the FBI and CBI and have those directly sent to ETM-CO. Only those with a clear background check are eligible for hire by ETM.
• Within the first semester of teaching, new hires who are not certified in music education must pass the PRAXIS 5113 exam with a score of 161 or higher.