K-6 Music Teacher and Administrator for Arts-Focused School (0.67 PT) (Berkeley, California)
Walden Center and School seeks a dynamic Music Teacher to join our teaching collective. If you have a vision of building a close-knit community, of working with kids, parents, and a small committed team of educators, this may be the engaging, invigorating, satisfying job you are looking for.
Walden Center and School has been a leader in progressive elementary education and collective administration for over 65 years. Walden is an independent K-6 school where drama, music, language, and art sit alongside traditional academic subjects as our core curriculum. At Walden, we believe that children learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are addressed, and families are an integral part of our community. Teachers take an individualized approach in designing their curricula in order to meet each child where they are developmentally. We believe that tests and grades are not the best measure of a child’s learning. Instead teachers are guided by informal assessments, and close observation. We do not give tests or grades. Also, the teachers run the school as a teacher-led collective, which provides them with autonomy, and the right and responsibility to make decisions that affect both their own classrooms and the whole school. We are passionate about working with the diversity of our current community and strive to support an environment that feels inclusive and intentional.
Our approach to learning encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking as a means to help children develop a lifelong love of learning, a strong sense of community, and a powerful sense of self. We believe learning should be personalized, child-centered, and joyful.
Job Description:
This position is for teaching music to children grades K-6 in mixed-grade classes. The music teacher will develop and implement a supportive classroom culture and robust curriculum that makes learning music fun, that inspires children to create music that they feel proud of, and to develop a love of music. Walden teachers practice flexibility, openness, and keen observation to fully engage students and support their joy of learning and cultural awareness. We believe that this approach honors different learning styles and life experiences. We utilize a variety of assessment tools to inform our teaching, and do not administer formal tests or give grades.
Music Teacher Duties:
Create an engaging and age-appropriate, multi-sensory music program
Communicate effectively about student progress and behavior with other staff
Conducting informal assessments to track progress, inform teaching and engage learners
Fostering a warm, welcoming, safe classroom community
Creating a positive learning environment through consistent and respectful classroom management
Holding parent-teacher conferences in the Fall and Spring and as needed throughout the year
Contributing regular updates regarding curriculum
Communicates program content and expectations at Arts Back to School Night
Meet with mentor regularly
Plan showcases of learning for families by class during the year
Administration (Collective duties)
At Walden, there is no “principal” of the school. We operate as a collective, meaning that the teachers are solely responsible for all matters pertaining to the school's day-to-day operation and leadership functions. In this non-hierarchical structure, all teachers play an equal role in the running of the school, and decisions are made on a consensus model.
For your first two years, your duties as a member of the collective will include the following:
Actively participating in weekly staff meetings
Participating in the planning and executing of school events, including community-wide events and assemblies
Collaborating to ensure the smooth operation of the school, which might include coordinating schedules, making admissions decisions, and communicating with other stakeholders
Implementing and managing school policies and procedures, helping to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment
Participating in at least two school committees
Supporting other administrative needs as they arise
Typically, in your third year at Walden, your duties will shift as you become a core collective member. This will entail:
Additional time with the other core collective members for sensitive and pressing issues
Leadership positions on school committees
Evaluating, mentoring, and managing fellow employees
Ultimate responsibility for community-wide issues, complaints, problems
Managing the recruitment and hiring of new staff
Other Collective duties
Being on-site from 8:45-3:15p for full teaching days and till 6p on Wednesdays for staff meetings
Supervising students when assigned duty, and as needed
Covering and teaching other classes as needed
Reading and responding to emails regarding school business in a timely manner
Reflecting on and supporting the school’s vision and mission
Commitment to participate in collectively administering the school using a consensus model
Supporting ongoing school business after hours and on weekends as needed
Supporting administrative goals generated in the meeting by taking on tasks
Summer Duties: admissions support, ongoing committee projects, and other tasks; meets when needed
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or equivalent degree
3+ years experience teaching general music at the elementary level
Knowledge of Orff Schulwerk approach
Ability to design an inspiring, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate music curriculum
Interest in teaching and developing an appreciation for music from a variety of cultural traditions
Ability to create lessons that incorporate anti-bias approaches and philosophy
Ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students with diverse learning profiles
Appreciation of developmental differences across age levels
Experience and skills with working in a collaborative environment
Ability to interact positively within a diverse community of students, parents, and teachers
Strong community-building/classroom management skills
Commitment to participate in collectively administering the school using a consensus model
Excellent communication skills
Desired:
Music Education degree
Elementary Teaching Credential
Responsive Classroom training
Orff Schulwerk levels training
Experience and skills in school or small business administration
Compensation:
This is a part-time salaried position for 3 days of teaching/week. For the 2024 school year, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday are teaching days, and Wednesdays are staff meetings from 2-6pm.
49,444.54/ 12-month salary (prorated for late-start)
Benefits include Health, Vision, Dental, Retirement contribution, 7 PTO days/year
For more information about Walden, see our website: www.waldencenterschool.org.
Please send a resume and cover letter addressing your philosophy of education and add "Music Hiring" to the subject line.
