Teacher, Exploratory Music/Band (2507)

The Natick Public Schools Seek a

Music/Band Teacher, Middle School

Start date: 08/26/2024

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools.

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Job Title

Teacher: Music Teacher & Band Co-Director

Location

Kennedy Middle School

Reports To

Principal, Student Services

Work days/FTE

School Year 183 days/1.0 FTE

Salary/Benefits

Salary and benefits per contract with the Education Association of Natick Unit A

Benefits Eligible?

Yes

Profile of a Natick Educator

JOB GOALS: Kennedy Middle School in Natick seeks an experienced candidate to teach General Music courses and the music module within VAMP (Video, Art, Music and Performance), as well as co-teach 5th grade band.

• Teach General Music classes 5-6 and the music parts of our VAMP program in 7-8, build on the current curriculum for these classes, teach the VAMP curriculum collaboratively with other teachers, and develop enrichment programs within the school day that inspire and activate student love of music.

• Co-teach 5th grade band, and help with all four bands where possible, increasing performance and excellence in the KMS band program.

• Demonstrate best practices for using teaching in a technology-rich, connected environment

• Promote diversity within the Music Department.

• Work collaboratively with parents/families, community partners, middle school teachers, and high school music teachers.

• Be a flexible member of the WIN schedule planning process to meet the individualized needs of all children.

We believe that all children are capable of attaining high levels of educational achievement in preparation for productive, rewarding lives and responsible citizenship. As a middle school ELE teacher, the goal is to educate all students to the vision of high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic and linguistic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Music Education

• Masters preferred

Professional Certification:

• MA DESE 5-8 certification in Music
• MA DESE SEI endorsement preferred

Specialized Knowledge:

• A strong foundation in student-centered pedagogy

• Knowledge about Middle School philosophy and the developmental needs of adolescents

• Thorough understanding of theories and teaching methodologies along with a sophisticated understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of middle school students

• Working knowledge the Massachusetts Standards-Based curriculum

• Working knowledge of the principles of UDL

• Working knowledge of SEL instruction and supports

• Ability to identify both formal and informal assessments that measure students skills

• Ability to differentiate instruction and assess learning using a variety of methods

• Ability to evaluate/analyze formal and informal data in order to provide recommendations based on data

• Knowledge of best practices in teaching to individuals and small groups with a highly systematic approach

• Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student engagement and opportunity

Preferred Experience:

• Experience teaching in a diverse public school preferred

• Experience working with students with disabilities/special abilities preferred

• Experience working with students who are English language learners preferred

• Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and PowerSchool preferred, but will train the right candidate

Ideal candidates will have experience in:

• Teaching music theory, music history, music technology, and guitar.

• Writing curriculum and teaching with a preference for putting their own stamp on the classes they teach using the Massachusetts state Standards

• Developing post-curricular classes that are informed by the frameworks, but advance next-generation interest in musical areas

• Pedagogy in woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

• Backward design, technology-based teaching methods, grading and assessment using online technologies.

Skills

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed

• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable

• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues

• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative

• Must have well-established verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to share information and resources as appropriate, including strong written communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with families, students, faculty, and staff

• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth

• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production

• Desire to learn and implement new technology

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Phone, intercom, personal computer and software applications as outlined above, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers and fax machine.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (not limited to)

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrates appropriate long and short-term preparation for classroom instruction

• Holds high expectations for all students and serves as a facilitator of student learning

• Organizes and uses a variety of teaching techniques, strategies, materials, and technology to maximize the learning of each child, individually and in group settings

• Assesses student progress, provides students and parents with specific feedback, and uses the results to adjust instruction as needed

• Provides opportunities for academic support and challenge

• Takes responsibility for teaching the district learning expectations as outlined in the curriculum documents

• Demonstrates an understanding of how knowledge in the subject areas is created, organized, and linked to other disciplines and life experiences

• Keeps abreast of current developments in the field and continues to deepen understanding of the discipline(s)

• Establishes and maintains a functional, attractive, orderly, and safe classroom environment that is conducive to student learning and builds a sense of community

• Practice culturally responsive communication with students, families, and colleagues.

• Collaborate with Special Educators, ELE Educators, Literacy and Math Specialists, and Instructional Leaders to ensure students needs are being met.

• Must be committed to the vision of high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic and linguistic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap.

Duties Include:

• Teaching general music using the state standards.

• Contribute to the development of the non-performance music classes.

• Develop enrichment and post curricular music classes to be taught during the school day.

• Teaching Guitar and/or electronic music, General music in grades 5-8, while continuing to develop curriculum for each of these classes.

• Co-directing the KMS 5th (and possibly 6th) grade bands, selecting challenging and appropriate repertoire for these groups in conjunction with the other band directors in town. Teach sectionals in all four bands where needed.

• Use different venues to promote Natick Bands, the Natick Music Program, the Arts, and Kennedy Middle School.

• Planning and delivering instruction in a wide variety of creative topic areas in accordance with state and national music standards.

• Collaboration with music colleagues to improve and grow the K-12 music program.

• Regular communication with parents concerning academic progress, upcoming events, etc… using both email and course websites.

Any other relative duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations.

• On some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces;

• remain in a stationary position for periods of time;

• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.);

• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;

• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;

• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;

• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;

• observe details at close range

• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;

• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;

• may need to teach and support students with life skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting

• lifting up to and including 25 lbs

• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

• Formal application

• Rating of education and experience

• Oral interviews

• Reference check

• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required

• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.