MUSIC TEACHER (.7 FTE), BATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS [SY 2025-2026]

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.
Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.
• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families – You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning.
• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from failure, using mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required) Masters Degree pref
• Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in Music
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district, and/or in self-selected professional growth activities.
• Minimum of 1-year teaching experience and working in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities
• SEI Endorsement Preferred
• Bilingual, candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply
• Citizenship, residency or work VISA in the United States required

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Under the supervision of the Building Principals, the music teacher is responsible for teaching music education to pupils in grades PreK-5 and assists the staff of the school in the improvement and appreciation of standards-based music instruction. Helps students grow in their enjoyment, appreciation, and performance of music through a variety of planned music experiences which include singing, moving to music, playing instruments, and listening. The music teacher also performs other duties directly related to this job description.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Music teacher will develop and implement standards-based unit plans with an emphasis on student mastery of content and skills. Integral to this role is monitoring students’ progress and pace by using formative and summative assessments directly linked to the learning goals; scaffolding instruction, supports, and pacing so that all learners can master the content; and supporting high expectations for achievement by providing teacher corrective feedback, opportunities for practice, revision, and improvement.

The Music Teacher:

• Plans/executes a balanced, standards-based choral and general music program and organizes class time so that preparation, rehearsal, and instruction can be accomplished within the allotted time.
• Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the music curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Encourages students to develop individual musical skills to the greatest extent possible.
• Utilizes a repertoire of culturally diverse music literature, including traditional and contemporary that are appropriate for the ages and skill levels of students.
• Maintains care/responsibility for school-owned music, musical instruments, and equipment to prevent loss or abuse. Makes minor adjustments and requests repairs to instruments as required.
• Uses state/national standards to assess each student’s musical growth, performance, and understanding.
• Collaborate with other music teachers to ensure vertical alignment for curriculum and performances are happening in all grades 4-12.
• Teach chorus, chamber singers and general music courses
• Create a safe, structured and positive classroom environment which is responsive to student diversity
• Selects appropriate music, books, and instructional aides to enhance learning and requisitions musical instruments and instructional supplies as necessary
• Cooperation with Building Principal and staff in providing musical programs for school assemblies, open house, parent meetings, and seasonal programs
• Communicates with parents and school staff on individual student’s progress