Early Childhood Music Teacher

CMSS is hiring for a part-time Early Childhood Music Teacher role.

Program Overview:

CMSS’ Early Childhood Music Program provides joyful and interactive classes for children from birth to 6 years old that nurture a love of music and help build foundational musical skills for a lifetime of musical connection with others. CMSS’ current early childhood music offerings include Prelude Preschool enrichment classes, Little Notes classes for children age 0-3 and caregiver, and Music Exploration classes and lessons for children age 4-6 (occasionally up to age 8). Programs are offered at CMSS and at partner sites throughout the community. Our Early Childhood Music programs create a safe and affirming space for children to explore and enjoy music, including rhymes, movement, percussive and tonal instruments, and songs from a variety of cultures. Through musical exploration, this program supports children’s cognitive development, fine and gross motor skill development, and social-emotional empowerment.

Position Summary:

CMSS faculty teach individual music lessons, group classes and/or ensembles at CMSS and in our community partnership programs. Faculty members provide high quality music instruction with responsiveness to the individual needs and musical goals of their students. Faculty are expected to be knowledgeable in the literature, technique and pedagogy of their instruments or disciplines. Professional development and continued learning and growth is encouraged and supported.

Responsibilities:

1. Teaching CMSS students in alignment with our Unified Teaching Values:

Our Purpose: We believe that our primary responsibility is to support the growth of every student’s whole being through music and personal connection.

Our Promise: We have made a commitment to ourselves, to our students, and to each other as teaching colleagues to pursue continuous learning to ensure that we are evolving, acquiring new teaching skills, and staying open to new ways of teaching.

Relationships: We prioritize our relationships with students, ensuring that they feel safe, comfortable, connected, and seen, so that they can take risks and grow.

Communication: We observe our students with care, use thoughtful questioning to assess their learning, and communicate in developmentally-appropriate ways to meet their learning needs.

Feedback: We convey deliberate, honest, and kind feedback that strengthens areas of potential, identifies areas for attention, and uplifts the student.

Lesson Content: We create a learning environment that balances creativity and fun with the goal of developing, retaining, and refining technical skills.

Adaptation: We recognize that every learner is unique and respond by adapting the ways we share information and by using a variety of teaching tools.

Approach: We provide structure and an organized approach while encouraging students to contribute their ideas, self-assess, and direct their own learning.                                                                                                                                             

2. Communication:

• Communicate compassionately and respectfully with students, families and colleagues of all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Promptly communicate any scheduling changes to students/families, and maintain regular contact regarding makeup lessons, performance opportunities, and CMSS news and events.
• Respond promptly and effectively to email, phone or in-person communications from CMSS staff or faculty.
  • Designate your preferred communication method (email, phone call, text message) with CMSS staff
  • Check your @communitymusicschool.com email at least weekly and every day that you have students, to be aware of updates from the school
  • Complete the faculty availability survey for the upcoming term (fall/summer) in a timely manner

3. “ASAP” Registration and Attendance Software (training will be provided):

• Record timely and accurate attendance for all teaching responsibilities (private lessons, ensembles, classes, makeup lessons, unscheduled lessons)
• Confirm your attendance has been successfully recorded in ASAP before the end of the payroll period (12pm on Monday of pay week)
• Demonstrate ability to find contact information for students in your studio and reschedule unscheduled lessons/makeups
• Check your schedule regularly to know when new students have enrolled in your studio
• Maintain the accuracy of your Artist Bio and contact information

4. General:

• Attend all required meetings, trainings and events. If you cannot attend, written notification must be given to Eileen or Sierra prior to the meeting time. You are still accountable for information discussed in these meetings – reach out to staff for recordings or notes from the meeting.
• Treat CMSS spaces, instruments, and equipment with care
• Abide by all Employee Handbook policies and procedures

Hours:

Based on faculty availability, lessons and classes are scheduled weekly (Monday-Saturday) during the school year, with a reduced summer schedule. Faculty are encouraged to get involved in CMSS’ many different programs and opportunities, which may offer additional hours. These include Sonido Musica, the Adaptive Music Program, Lifelong Learning, Great Gigs, summer programs, and accompaniment. Reach out to CMSS staff or program managers to learn more.

Required Qualifications:

1. Experience teaching general music to children 0 – 5 years old
2. Ability to demonstrate effective teaching and student engagement techniques
3. Experience tailoring lessons/content to be culturally relevant to the student and to accommodate different learning styles
4. Experience tailoring lessons to a range of ages within the same class
5. Ability to collaborate with colleagues in art, dance, theater, and music to create multidisciplinary learning experiences
6. Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusivity, which are foundational to CMSS’ mission
7. Ability to sing on pitch
8. Effective communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Skills in multiple different musical styles, instruments, and genres
2. Experience performing and/or teaching in the Greater Springfield area
3. Higher education in music and/or education
4. Bilingual (English & Spanish)
5. Ability to play a handheld instrument like guitar or ukulele
6. Familiarity with Reggio Emilia early childhood education approach

Pay:

Benefits:

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

To apply:

• Please send your resume or CV to Sierra Simmons, Director of Finance and Operations, at ssimmons@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email.
• Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject of your email.
• If you have relevant experience or qualifications that are not explicit on your resume, please explain these in your email.
• If you any videos of your teaching, please send those along as well.