List Detail
Music Teacher: K-8th Grade
To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to musicteacherjob@anconaschool.org
About the Ancona School
The Ancona School (Ancona) is an independent school located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park Kenwood community, educating students 3 years old through 8th grade. Since our founding in 1962, Ancona has been dedicated to diversity in both our community and our curriculum, which draws upon the Montessori and Progressive Education models. Social justice education is the cornerstone of Ancona’s mission as a school; it informs what we teach and how we teach it. At every grade level, Ancona students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.
At Ancona, we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students’ academic experiences and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for individuals who will contribute to our social justice mission and embrace the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of, and possess an interest in, working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability status.
Summary/Objective:
The Ancona School seeks a passionate and dedicated K-8th grade Music Teacher to join our school community. The Music Teacher will be responsible for developing and implementing a music curriculum for students in grades K-8 and creating a joyful and inclusive learning environment that nurtures students' vocal and instrumental expression, listening skills, and music literacy. They will help students appreciate music as an art form, recognize its historical and cultural significance, and explore diverse musical traditions through culturally responsive teaching.
Essential Job Functions
- Develop and support a music curriculum that provides a balanced music education—including singing, reading music, playing instrumental music, and performing—incorporating various musical genres, styles, and cultural traditions to broaden students’ understanding of music
- Teach fundamental musical concepts, including rhythm, melody, harmony, and music theory, in age-appropriate ways
- Lead middle school instrumental ensembles, adapting musical arrangements for a range of instruments and ability levels, differentiating instruction accordingly
- Plan, rehearse, and direct student musical performances for evening concerts and school-wide gatherings and assemblies, recognizing the role music plays in uniting people and creating shared experiences that strengthen the school's sense of community
- Collaborate with colleagues to integrate music into broader interdisciplinary projects
- Partner with all adults responsible for students; collaborate with colleagues to plan and execute weekly Flex Days
- Participate in professional development, faculty work days, and weekly faculty meetings
- Prepare for and present at school events, such as open houses and informational dinners
Communicate regularly with parents via email and the classroom website
Required Education and Experience
Occasional and Ongoing Expectations
- Support student-led fundraising events
- Meet with co-workers, Division Head, and Head of School to share ideas, plan, and problem-solve
- Attend weekly staff meetings and participate in staff professional development in staff meetings
- Participate in parent education events, as requested
- Participate in Board meetings, as requested
- Participate in professional meetings outside of school
- Prepare for school’s community activities such as open houses, observations, and all general meetings or special events
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Head of School and/or Department Head
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Music Performance, or a related field (required); Master’s Degree is preferred
- Minimum of three years of teaching experience rooted in progressive education
- Experience crafting music curriculum and teaching instruments to children, ideally in an elementary/middle school setting
- Proficiency in one or more instruments: guitar, piano, woodwind/brass, strings, etc.
- Familiarity with integrating technology into music education
- Ability to lead vocal and instrumental instruction; ability to accompany on keyboard and/or guitar preferred
- Experience integrating social justice themes into a curriculum
- Familiarity with Macintosh platform, Google suite of products, and virtual conferencing applications (i.e. Zoom)
Required Competencies
- Strong classroom management skills; knowledge of Responsive Classroom a plus
- Experience teaching and supporting a diverse student population
- Strong communication skills; ability to communicate constructively and productively with colleagues and parents
- Openness to growth and change
Expected Hours of Work
Monday- Friday, 7:50 am-3:30 pm
Wednesdays, 3:35-4:45 pm (Reserved for Staff Meetings)
Institutional Requirements
- CPR/First Aid certification (preferred)
- Pass a background check
- Have the physical capacity to work with children
- Keep up with professional development – 15 hours per school year
Physical Demands
- Reaching
- Standing
- Walking
- Lifting
- Feeling
- Talking
- Hearing
- Repetitive motion
- Sedentary work, light work, medium work
- Close visual acuity
Work Environment
- Inside and outside environmental conditions
- Noise
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of Ancona School not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship, layoff, and termination.
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Affiliations
Independent Schools Association of the Central States
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Affiliations
Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools
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Affiliations
National Association of Independent Schools
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Affiliations
American Montessori Society
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