Adaptive Music Program Teaching Artist

Adaptive Music Program Teaching Artist

Community Music School of Springfield is dedicated to providing an equitable and inclusive center of excellence in music education that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion, and promotes well-being in our greater community. We seek to build a diverse staff that reflects the community we serve, and encourage Latinx and Black individuals to apply. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Position Summary:

Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS)’s Adaptive Music Program (AMP) connects music and special education to improve students’ lives, targeting musical, social/emotional, academic, and gross & fine motor development. AMP Teaching Artists work directly with students with disabilities in the classroom, teaching music classes designed to include all learners. While not a music therapy program, AMP has considerable overlap with the field of music therapy. Therefore, both qualified music educators and music therapists serve as AMP Teaching Artists. AMP Teaching Artists report to the AMP Director, Jessica Corwin. Training in music pedagogy and adaptive music techniques will be provided to successful candidates.

Responsibilities:

• Teach adaptive music classes designed to engage all learners in AMP partner schools during the school year, using a variety of activity formats and musical content, with responsiveness to individual student needs
• Thoughtfully prepare weekly lessons and plans for each class

• Communicate and work closely with partner school staff to accomplish individual student goals and classroom goals as well as AMP program goals
• Support school music teachers and classroom teachers in strategies and techniques for reaching their special education population, and support special education teachers in integrating music and arts into their teaching
• Attend and arrive on time for all classes, AMP team meetings, and trainings/workshops or provide advance notice of absence
• As a representative of CMSS, demonstrate respect and compassion in interactions with partner school teachers, staff and administrators
• Communicate with AMP Director about progress at each school site and any challenges that may arise
• Respond promptly to communications and requests from AMP Director, CMSS administrative staff, or other faculty.

Required Qualifications:

1. Experience as a performing musician, music educator, or music therapist
2. Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusivity and culturally responsive music education, which are foundational to CMSS’ mission
3. Ability to work collaboratively and share responsibility with colleagues, develop and maintain positive working relationships
4. Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills; ability to communicate compassionately and respectfully with people from a different races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds
5. Reliable transportation to work sites

Preferred Qualifications:

1. References from members of our community or faculty
2. Degree in education, special education, or music

Compensation:

During the training period, training hours, PD workshops, and staff meetings will be paid at $20 per hour.

Once the Teaching Artist is teaching students, they will be paid $80 per hour for class instruction, with an expectation of up to 1 hour of thoughtful preparation time prior to the class. PD workshops and staff meetings will be paid at $30 per hour.

Benefits: 

Employee discounts, dental and vision insurance, paid professional development, retirement plan match, flexible schedule within school hours

How to Apply:

Please send your resume to Sierra Simmons, Associate Director, at ssimmons@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email. Please include “AMP Teaching Artist Application” in the subject of the email.