Part-Time (6 hours/week) Lower School Strings Teacher

Position Description:

Part-Time (6 hours/week) Lower School Strings Teacher

Position Title: Part-Time K-1 Strings Teacher

Reports to: Head of School

Exempt/Non-exempt: Non-Exempt

Schedule: 10-Month Employee/6 hours per week

THE GIRLS’ SCHOOL OF AUSTIN:

The Girls’ School of Austin is a private K-8 school of 150 students in the historic Tarrytown district of Austin. The GSA brings together a diverse student body with a strong emphasis on creativity, community building, collaboration, and problem solving. Classes in Spanish and the visual and performing arts enrich the strong academic program starting in Kindergarten. Significant use is made of the artistic and natural resources in Austin and the surrounding area.

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for a dynamic strings teacher who is ready to try new approaches to group instruction. The Lower School Strings teacher at the GSA will be committed to the ideals of the GSA and able to inspire in their students a love of learning and of music. The successful candidate will have the ability to teach string methods and musicality to Kindergarteners and First Graders to set the foundation for skills growth through Eighth Grade

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable in strings instruction and flexible about their approach. While many programs in the Austin area use the Suzuki Method, the GSA has built a successful Strings program rooted in Paul Rolland’s movement-based approach. Students prepare for two casual music recitals per year, and outside private lessons are not required nor expected of them. We are looking for a music educator who can skillfully incorporate healthy, non-competitive, and joyful approaches to the pursuit of applied music.

In addition, candidates will understand when and how to integrate social/emotional skill building, inquiry, technology use, and assessment into curriculum and pedagogy. The successful candidate will understand the value of working cooperatively and collaboratively with a community of other educators as well as have the ability to work independently. Flexibility and a commitment to your own learning are integral to success in this setting, as are a warm personality, a good sense of humor, and considerable patience.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES.

Essential Functions and Key Objectives

• Teach six hours per week of Violin classes to groups of 10-16 elementary-aged students.
• Develop lessons that are developmentally appropriate, rooted in the Rolland Method, and aligned with the mission and values of the school.
• Provide regular and appropriate feedback on student work and in trimester reports (formative and summative).
• Attend required meetings (team, faculty, department, parent).
• Sustain and support the music-based traditions that are integral to the GSA community.
• Maintain a classroom culture and environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain mature and age-appropriate judgment and boundaries.
• Develop and sustain positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with parents that support each student's well- being, learning, and increasing autonomy.
• Represent the school and what it stands for positively at public events, admissions events, community events, development events, etc., some of which take place outside of the regular school day and calendar.
• Affirm and defend the dignity and worth of each member of the community and maintain an environment that fosters respect.
• Follow safety protocols and accident & illness procedures.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in String Performance or in Music Education.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in String Performance or in Music Education.

Experience

• at least 1-2 years’ experience in teaching Strings methods in a group setting at the lower elementary level.
• classroom management.
• multicultural curriculum design and pedagogy.
• effective communication with colleagues. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The strongest candidates will show strengths and experience in:
• appreciation and respect for young people as learners and people, through challenging and joyful moments alike;
• passion about the mission and vision of the school;
• mastery of the subject area(s) being taught;
• outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively;
• having an innovative and flexible mindset about teaching and learning;
• strong organizational skills;
• technological proficiency.

We encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, or candidates from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all the physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Work is generally performed in a standard school classroom environment.

• Work full-time in person and maintain regular and predictable attendance
• Ability to move throughout the campus during all weather conditions
• Ability to lift as much as 50 pounds

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@thegirlsschool.org Cover letters may be addressed to:

Ms. Rebecca E. Yacono

Head of School