The Music Teacher – Mentor works closely with the Director of Programs, Instructional Supervisors, and the Director of Community Affairs and Partnerships to ensure effective music education on a daily basis. Responsibilities include planning and implementing a comprehensive, sequential, and standards-based music curriculum according to the ETM-LA model that serves all students and teaches musical literacy, practical musical skills, content knowledge, transferable skills, and higher order thinking; leading meaningful performances in which students can apply learned skills and knowledge; mentoring emerging practitioners and interns; providing guidance, support, and continuous assessment to interns for their professional development and improvement in the teaching-learning process; supporting culturally responsive teaching and professional development; building a music program that becomes an indispensable part of school culture and identity which connects to the broader school community.

 

Job Description:

 

Music Teaching Functions

• Prepare and teach engaging, differentiated, age-appropriate, grade specific music lessons with a clear and concise aim, based on the ETM-LA benchmarks, where students understand what is expected of them to be successful.
• Produce a minimum of two school-wide concerts (Winter & Spring) in which all students perform two to three pieces of music, respectively. This includes managing all logistics – sound, lighting, staging, etc.
• Manage student behavior to maintain an optimal learning environment that is orderly, productive, free of unnecessary distractions, respectful and safe.
• Assess and record student progress toward learning goals based on the ETM benchmarks. This includes the use of formal rubrics customized to measure comprehension/learning for various specific lesson plans.
• Create and maintain a classroom that is print-rich, visually engaging, neat, organized and welcoming. This can possibly include a music content specific bulletin board that is changed once per month.
• Develop and implement specific classroom procedures and routines by which students understand and demonstrate what is expected and how they may interact with others to participate successfully. This includes the consistent use of seating charts, posters and rules and consequences.
• Participate in ETM-LA Institute training sessions and proactively pursue professional development by utilizing and applying ETM-LA Institute content, concepts, and resources. These trainings occur throughout the year in the summer, fall, winter, and spring. It is your responsibility to plan accordingly to be in attendance.  *Specific dates (TBD)
• Commit to growing as a music teacher in order to be culturally responsive to our students and communities.
• Timely, responsive, and constructive communication in person and through phone/email with ETM-LA and school staff.
• Present parent and academic workshops at your school site as needed.
• Complete timesheet daily.

 

Mentorship Functions

• Provide support to emerging practitioners in the field (i.e. interns) in classroom management, music pedagogy, and instructional growth and development. 
• Guide and train interns in developing musical activities, lesson plans, curriculum, assessments strategies and assisting with performances based on ETM-LA benchmarks and ETM-LA training materials.
• Review lesson plans with emerging practitioners in the field (i.e. interns) prior to implementation in the classroom. 
• Train emerging practitioners (i.e. interns) on proper maintenance and tracking of instruments/equipment (inventory)..
• Provide professional development workshops and related support to academic teachers.
• Guide interns on being culturally responsive to school environments.
• Document intern activities through ongoing observations focused on lesson planning, pedagogy, classroom management, classroom environment, age-appropriate content, integration, and assessment.
• Informally and formally observe intern instruction and provide written and verbal feedback in conjunction with the Intern Specialist.

 

Other Functions:

1. Lifting and moving musical equipment, materials and supplies.
2. Cleaning the music room.
3. Using Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Calendar, MS Word, Excel and other software to create concert programs and instructional materials.
4. Regular use of email to communicate with ETM-LA staff.
5. Maintain, inventory and secure classroom instruments, including tuning ukuleles, guitars, replacing drum heads, proper storage, etc.
6. General assistance at organizational events, including administrative tasks and managing students.
7. Leading other school-based musical events.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Music or Related Field
  • State Teacher Certification
• Experience – At least 5 years of music classroom experience
• Specific Skills – Vocal or instrumental performance capabilities; basic piano or guitar
• Specialized knowledge, licenses, etc.
  • Musical theory and notation literacy
  • Knowledge of specific musical repertoire and genres

 

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Education
  • Master’s Degree in Music Education or Related Field
  • Clear Credential in Music

• Experience
  • 6 or more years of full-time teaching
  • 3+ years of mentorship experience
• Specific Skills
  • Advanced vocal or instrumental performance capabilities, particularly guitar, piano, or voice
  • Conducting
• Specialized knowledge, licenses, etc.
  • Advanced musical notation and theory literacy
  • Specialized knowledge of specific musical repertoire and genres, particularly choral. Practical understanding of music pedagogy, educational theory, and child development
  • Certification in Orff, Kodály, Dalcroze, and/or other music teaching pedagogies

 

Supervisory Responsibility, if any:
Supervision of up to but not limited to 35 students for regular classroom activities and up to 200 students for special events.

 

Working Conditions:
Office environment with regular travel each month to partner schools or clients located throughout Los Angeles County. Occasional travel outside Los Angeles may be required. Must use own vehicle for work purposes other than driving to and from work (such as running errands for work). Mileage will be reimbursed by ETM-LA.

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and proven music skill/ability in voice, musical theater, and/or instrumental (Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Orchestral Strings)
• Specialized knowledge of specific musical repertoire and genres, particularly choral
• Possess excellent music reading skills
• Have excellent stage presence, oral and written communication
• Possess strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Proficient in online learning platforms (Zoom, Google Classroom, RingCentral, etc.)
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work well and enjoy working with children and being part of a collaborative team with other music teachers and school faculty
• Ability to follow instructions
• Strive and remain committed to the mission of the organization

 

General Information:

• Interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter (400 words maximum) and a one-page current resume, along with the following:
  • Two (2) sample lesson plans: one general music lesson (Grades K, 1 or 2); one general music lesson (Grades 3, 4 or 5)
  • Names and contact information of three (3) professional references
  • Employment application 

  • Copy of Transcript (Official Transcripts may be required upon hire) and Credential Copy (if applicable)

• A live scan must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the live scan may affect the application status of applicants
• TB Test mandate. Failure to satisfactorily complete the TB Test with certificate of tuberculosis clearance may affect the application status of applicants
• COVID-19 vaccine mandate (dependent upon school district)
• The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements as a condition of employment

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

ETM-LA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

 

*Submit application via e-mail to Director of Programs, Deidre Racoma at: applymusic@etmla.org. Please include in the Subject Line: ETM-LA Music Teacher – Mentor Position