Upper School Music Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Music Teacher, Upper School (Grades 6-12)

Reports to: Interim Head of High School

Projected Start Date: August 20, 2025

Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms and accepts the full identities of all people, while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.

Position Description

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is seeking a talented, warm, and creative music teacher with a background in education to work in an inclusive, student-centered, collaborative, and innovative setting. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to create developmentally appropriate curricula, establish a supportive and engaging environment for students, work collaboratively with colleagues and parents, and contribute to the rich life of a thriving independent school environment.

IDEAL teachers are charged with inspiring students in an inclusive and nurturing learning community to achieve personal and academic excellence. IDEAL expands the definition of diversity to include ability, and thus candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach a range of learners. It is expected that teachers engage students’ curiosity through interdisciplinary activities, discussion, and project-based learning.

Upper School teachers teach four to five class sections, meeting 16-20 periods per week. In addition to primary teaching responsibilities, the Music Teacher will participate fully in the life of the school. All IDEAL teachers contribute in significant ways beyond the classroom; it is expected that teachers serve as advisors, mentor at least one club, and may lead their own extra-curricular activities and initiatives. They know their students as learners and as individuals, and they inspire their students by setting a high bar for excellence while making the classroom fun and supporting all learners in achieving. Occasionally, teachers may be asked to chaperone day and overnight class trips.

The successful candidate will partner thoughtfully with colleagues and parents; demonstrate the ability to inspire students at all levels to strive for both personal and academic excellence; and possess a commitment to inclusive education.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement a joyful, rigorous, and engaging general music curriculum for students in Grades 6 through 12

• Create an inclusive classroom and program that inspires a love of music and teaching students with a wide range of strengths, learning profiles, and backgrounds

• Differentiate all aspects of curriculum and program to facilitate full inclusion

• Teach vocals and instruments

• Differentiate and scaffold curriculum to inspire, challenge, and nurture a range of learners within an inclusive classroom

• Expose Upper School students to a variety of developmentally engaging music representing different ethnicities and cultures in NYC and globally

• Foster students’ skill and passion for music

• Prepare students for and leading students in performances at assemblies and school events

• Serve as musical director for spring musical

• Accompany students in performances

• Collaborate with faculty and arts department members to continue to build out and develop our inclusive music program

• Implement skillful classroom routines, communication, and procedures to promote a safe, positive, joyful, and productive learning environment

• Contribute to the life of the school beyond assigned roles

• Uphold the mission, philosophy, principles, policies, and procedures of IDEAL

• Meet deadlines for progress reports, learning specialist reports, and other work

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in appropriate related field

• Experience in vocal and instrumental music instruction, musical direction, and

• accompaniment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field preferred

• Special Education experience preferred

• Independent school experience preferred

• 2-3 years of relevant, hands-on teaching experience preferred

Essential Qualities:

• Appreciation for the school’s mission

• A strong understanding of differentiation

• The ability to collaborate as a part of a team

• A desire to make a difference in the school--to contribute time and talent outside of the classroom to the growth of students and the school

Benefits Include: Paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long-term disability benefits, paid family leave, professional development opportunities, 403(b) plan with employer contribution(waiting period applies).

Salary Range: $70,000-90,000 (this represents the expected salary range for this position. Salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other job-related factors)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and job applicants and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, caregiver status, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures.

This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.