Overview

The Kew-Forest School is a co-educational independent day school founded in 1918 in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Today, the School serves approximately 200 students in Preschool (3-year-olds) through twelfth grade. T he Kew-Forest School student body is one of the most diverse and international at any independent school in the country. Kew-Forest students have varied cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds and a majority are multilingual. Currently, The Kew-Forest School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school.

The Kew-Forest School seeks a responsible, creative, and joyful Lower School Music Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year in a permanent role. The Lower School Music Teacher models integrity, curiosity, responsibility, creativity, and respect for all persons and professional and personal competency related to racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, age, sexual, gender, geographic, and ability diversity. The Lower School Music Teacher collaborates with colleagues and the School’s leadership in designing and implementing curriculum within the School’s overall program and Mission. The Lower School Music Teacher reports to the Head of Lower School.

Responsiblities

• Teaching Preschool (3-year-olds) through Fifth Grade general music classes.
• Developing curricula and implementing lessons that incorporate a range of learning approaches and differentiation opportunities to excite and engage students, paying particular attention to the importance of multicultural approaches.
• Providing a student-centered classroom environment with a positive approach to discipline.
• Preparing students and coordinating various performances/Assemblies/shows throughout the year.
• Collaborating with classroom and specialist teachers as we continually search for innovative ways to educate the whole child.
• Keeping anecdotal and assessment records to inform thoughtful, comprehensive reports and ongoing parent communication.
• Fulfilling duties, responsibilities, and commitments as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

The ideal applicant will possess the following:

• A degree in music or music education, with masters work preferred
• Instrumental and Choral Experience, including accompanying skills
• Composition and arranging skills
• Piano/keyboard skills
• Recorder, guitar, ukulele, and strings skills are a plus
• Working knowledge of diverse musical styles and traditions (e.g., Folk, World, Popular, Classical)
• Experience as an IB educator is a plus
• Working knowledge of and/or certification in various pedagogical approaches to teaching music (e.g., Kodaly, Dalcroze, Orff, etc.)
• Experience collaborating (theater, dance, film, language arts, social studies, STEAM) to create interdisciplinary work.
• Experience with music, video, and presentation technology
• Audio and video production skills (recording, editing) helpful
• Successful experience as a music classroom teacher
• An understanding of the early childhood and elementary developmental stages
• Dedication to cultivating a lifelong love of learning and music
• An inspiring, innovative, and nurturing teaching style, a genuine interest in working with this age group, and engaging students in meaningful ways
• The ability to work well with parents and colleagues
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• A commitment to life-long learning, including ongoing professional development

Salary Range

$60,000 - $110,000 per annum, commensurate with years of experience, plus benefits package.

Please email a resume, cover letter, and list of at least three references to Karin Bernstein, Head of Lower School, kbernstein@kewforest.org. Please include LS Music Teacher in the subject line .

To learn more about The Kew-Forest School, please visit our website: www.kewforest.org.

MISSION

We are The Kew-Forest School.

Our community nurtures lifelong learners from around the world.

Our educators inspire young people to think boldly and find their voices.

Our students support each other and explore thoughtfully as they shape the future.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Kew-Forest School believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. The School prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, culture, background, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected classes or classifications. No employee or job applicant will be discriminated against in recruitment, compensation, promotion, or termination practices.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $60,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person