Orchestra Teacher

Position Title: Orchestra Teacher

Contract Type: 205 Day Contract

Reports to: School Principal

Job Overview

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Orchestra Teacher to join our dynamic music education team within our public school district. This position involves teaching both elementary and high school students (will travel daily to assigned schools), fostering their musical growth, and inspiring a lifelong love for music. The ideal candidate will possess a South Carolina Teaching Certificate and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a Strings Concentration. While experience is preferred, we welcome applicants who are eager to develop their teaching skills in a supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Instruction: Teach orchestral music to elementary and high school students, providing a comprehensive curriculum that includes techniques, music theory, and performance practices.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other orchestra teachers within the district to ensure a cohesive and integrated music program.
• Rehearsals and Performances: Prepare students for rehearsals, concerts, and special events, including after-school and weekend commitments. Collaborate on planning and executing events such as student competitions and community performances.
• Travel: Willingness to travel between multiple school locations as needed for rehearsals, lessons, and performances.
• Assistance: Support students in individual and group settings, providing guidance for musical development and performance preparation.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a Strings Concentration.
• Certification: Valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate Required.
• Experience: Preferred but not required; a willingness to learn and grow as an educator is valued.

Skills

• Team Player: Strong ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey musical concepts and collaborate with others.
• Adaptability: Capable of adjusting teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students.
• Organization: Strong organizational skills to manage schedules, rehearsals, and student performances.
• Commitment: Available to work after school, on weekends, and during the summer for rehearsals and special events.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with a 205-day contract and supplemental pay.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the district.
• Engage with a vibrant community of students committed to musical excellence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether like or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor and giving information and instructions to students.

Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, literary materials, reference materials, technical manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, notices, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form.  Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make routine independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions; to teach students. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with students, teachers and other staff using technical and/or professional languages including library studies, instructional technology, etc.

Numeric Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to use mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time.  Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:  Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the assigned school and Spartanburg School District Seven as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Orchestra Teacher. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.  Can take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has knowledge of the methods and practices of school library operations, including circulation, reference services, etc. 

Has knowledge of the cataloging system. Has good general knowledge of reference topics and is able to assist students and teachers in locating and researching information as needed. Has good knowledge of the various technologies used in media center operations and in classroom instruction and is able to help teachers select and coordinate appropriate technology / media resources for instructional use.

Can assist students and teachers in producing Powerpoint presentations, desktop publishing products and other products using computer technology.  Has knowledge of and is able to use modern office practices and equipment, including computers for word processing, records management and instructional applications. 

Can troubleshoot and resolve computer / AV equipment problems. Has knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling; has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Can type accurately at a rate sufficient for the successful performance of assigned duties. Knows how to maintain a variety of office equipment as necessary in the performance of daily activities. 

Is skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing records, reports and correspondence. Can read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to perform duties in a courteous manner and with the utmost integrity in the best interest of the public. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with students, teachers, co-workers, personnel of other departments and members of the public through contact and cooperation. 

Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the position.  Can effectively perform assigned duties despite frequent interruptions. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.  Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.   

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work: Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness.  Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities.  Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives.  Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints to establish and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.  

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.  

DISCLAIMER:  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Spartanburg School District Seven does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, disability, age, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups as required by law

Join us in fostering a thriving orchestral program and inspiring the next generation of musicians!