What are the responsibilities and job description for the Elementary School Music Teacher position at Elementary?
Headwaters School, a Pre-K through grade 12 independent day school serving over 500 students across its three campuses in Austin, TX, is seeking a part-time Music Teacher in our Elementary School for the 2026-2027 academic year.
At Headwaters, our guides nurture a school culture that promotes a growth mindset, a collaborative spirit, a joyful environment, and the achievement of high expectations. Our faculty and staff ensure all members of our school community understand their role in advancing issues of belonging and inclusion. Headwaters School supports the professional growth of our school faculty in order to contribute to their feelings of fulfillment, to provide a model of lifelong learning for our students, and to advance the strategic goals of the school.
Our faculty members are responsible for bringing our Purpose statement to life: to cultivate identity formation, foster empathy, and embrace diversity to bring more peace to the world. In addition, they guide our students to live authentically, think expansively, and create bravely. We invite our students, guides, staff, parents, and trustees to be Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers.
The Elementary Music Guide reports directly to our Elementary School Director. Our ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and knowledge of Montessori educational philosophy. Candidates will also be prepared to participate in the life of the school.
Job Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree required, degree in Music, Music Education or a related field preferred
- At least two years prior experience teaching music in an elementary school setting
- Extensive knowledge of a variety of music styles, repertoire and teaching methods
- Ability to teach instrumental skills
- Must possess a joyful and positive approach to working with elementary school-aged children
- A commitment to personal and professional development
- Strong commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging practices and curriculum in the classroom
- Is a creative individual and a collaborative team player
- Ability to maintain calm and focus
- Operates with a high level of integrity
- Highly organized & tech savvy
- Advanced Degree, preferred
Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Support students through their classroom experience
- Research and create curriculum that supports the development of the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth of the child
- Maintain communication that supports an understanding of the school's program, develops positive relationships with the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family in the school community
- Maintain an on-going dialogue with the Academic Director and Learning Specialist to coordinate curriculum integration and implementation
- Establish a positive relationship with parents of the community and maintain regular communication with regard to their child's specific needs, as well as helping to develop an understanding of the Music curriculum
- Actively participate in school functions, including Open Houses, Parent Orientations, campus fundraisers, etc.
- Participate in a regular evaluation process including classroom observations, self evaluations, interim and annual performance evaluations, and annual goal-setting
- Manage student behavior in the classroom and on school premises
- Serve as an ambassador of the School's mission and philosophy
- Perform other duties, as assigned
This is a part-time, salaried, exempt position and compensation is competitive for the greater Austin area. The school offers a wide-range of benefits including generous paid time off, 401(k) employer matching, on-going professional support and continuing education opportunities, and a unique working environment where you are able to share and receive ongoing feedback.
Interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and educational philosophy statement Leslie Hirsch, Director of Human Resources at hr@headwaters.org to apply or go to the Headwaters School Employment website, https://www.headwaters.org/page/about/employment.
Headwaters School welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination law. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All Employees are responsible for complying with the School’s equal employment opportunity policy.