Lower School Music Teacher, Leave Long-Term Substitute (AY25-26)

Reports To: Lower School Director

Start Date: April 2026

About Buckingham Browne & Nichols:

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Buckingham Browne & Nichols is a day school that engages students in grades Pre-K through 12 in a rich and invigorating educational experience of the highest quality. The school excels at helping students discover their unique talents and passions and develop those strengths to the fullest. The curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, innovative, and flexible, designed to help qualified students, from a range of backgrounds and with a wide spectrum of talents and interests, reach new levels of accomplishment. Co-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, community service, and other areas add important dimensions to students’ learning. Students learn on three age and developmentally-appropriate campuses. At every grade, BB&N takes full advantage of the range of opportunities its locations afford.

BB&N is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution. This commitment is integral to the mission and vision of the School. BB&N is an academically excellent, diverse, and inclusive community where students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. We prepare students to be responsible and open-minded as they engage with the world around them. Our school is guided by the core values of: 

• Inquiry, in which we promote curiosity and critical thinking to inspire a lifelong love of learning.

• Integrity, in which we strive to be honest, conscientious, and accountable in our actions, even when no one is watching.

• Belonging, in which we foster a culture of respect, well-being, and connection that values all individuals and empowers them to discover and be their authentic selves, and

• Kindness, in which we strengthen our communities by recognizing our common humanity and treating ourselves and others with respect and compassion.

The vibrancy and vitality we feel in the classrooms, hallways, stages, and playing fields of BB&N derive from the people who are here. At its root are the varied interests and experiences, the different backgrounds, cultures, religions, views, and perspectives that our students and faculty bring to their classes and families bring to myriad activities. Each of us adds to the richness of another’s experience. Working and playing together teaches us lifelong lessons about appreciating, knowing, understanding, and learning from each other.

Summary Description:

BB&N is seeking a passionate and skilled Music Teacher to cover a leave of absence for the remainder of the 2025–2026 academic year (April through June). This is a temporary full-time long-term substitute position working with students in Beginners through 2nd Grade (Pre-K–2). The ideal candidate is an accomplished musician with a genuine love for sharing music with young learners. The Lower School’s music program celebrates a wide variety of genres and emphasizes the richness of the full musical experience — from listening and moving to singing and playing. Classes are joyful, engaging, and grounded in foundational musical concepts.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teach daily music classes to students in Beginners (Pre-K) through 2nd Grade.

• Deliver lessons focused on the elements of music, musical styles, and instrument exploration.

• Foster a love of music through movement, singing, and active participation.

• Select, teach, and rehearse songs with students in preparation for the Spring Concert.

• Lead students through the performance process, building confidence and stage readiness.

• Ensure students are well-prepared and excited to perform at the Spring Concert.

• Any additional responsibilities determined by the LS Director.

Some additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, attendance at weekly faculty meetings and ordering materials.  In addition, the B-2 Music Teacher is expected to be committed to the following practices:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the curriculum and the community.

• Social-emotional learning.

• Using the visual arts to expand on the thoughts and ideas of the students. 

• Collaboration between adults in our community that evolves and advances practice.

• Documentation and assessment of learning in ways that make the learning visible.

• Understanding of inquiry-based interdisciplinary research projects and the development of authentic and meaningful experiences that result in exemplary work (a student’s best work) and lifelong learning.

• Organization and use of materials within different disciplines in skilled and inventive ways to deepen learning.

• Installation of organized and aesthetically pleasing learning environments.

Requirements, Skills, and Competencies:

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the elementary level and an understanding of cognitive and social development for children at this age. A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a Master’s degree in elementary music education is preferred. 

In addition, the candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Joy working with elementary-aged students, and an understanding of child development for this age group.

• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community.

• Knowledge and commitment around diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the classroom climate and curriculum.

• A desire to continue seeking professional development.

• Excellent writing skills.

• Ability to collaborate with colleagues inside and outside of the curriculum.

• Ability to communicate effectively with students and families.

• Curriculum design and assessment experience.

• Ability to receive feedback.

Salary: $69,500.00 - $115,754.00 (pro-rated for the remainder of the year)

BB&N offers competitive salaries and benefits, employing equitable and consistent compensation practices. The starting salary for any hired candidate is based on experience within salary bands. 

Compensation for eligible full-time and part-time employees includes a 403(b) plan with up to a 10% match of salary and other competitive benefits offerings. Benefits offered to eligible employees include health & dental insurance; commuter benefits; long-term disability insurance, and more. 

To Apply:  

Please visit the Careers at BB&N page to complete your online application. Please upload your Cover Letter, Resume, and Reference List. Successful candidates submit complete applications, inclusive of all requested materials, and respond to all posting questions completely and thoughtfully. 

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any non-job-related physical or mental disability. We welcome candidates who will increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply