Primary Music Teacher

Position/Title: Primary K-2 Music Teacher (Part-time; afternoons)

Appointment: School Year 2026/2027

Reports To: Director of Early Childhood to Grade 5, Performing Arts Chair

Laurel School seeks talented faculty who put students first and strive to make a difference in their lives. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who thrive on being engaged participants in our community and are committed to anti-racist education and the development of young women as authentic learners and leaders. The most successful candidates are solutions-driven, embrace iteration, see opportunities before problems, and thrive in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment. Laurel lives our mission: to inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world.

Position Summary

This unique dual role combines the artistry of early childhood music education with the logistical leadership of technical theater. At the Lyman Campus, you will be the architect of a girl’s first formal musical experiences—utilizing Orff and Kodály methods to build a joyful, resilient foundation.

Primary K-2 Music Duties

• Create Joyful Foundations: Lead K-2 learners in internalizing music through movement and song. Master steady beats with percussion and introduce melodic and rhythmic notation (sol-mi-la).
• Scaffold Musical Literacy: Guide the transition from "doing" to "reading." Use Kodály hand signs and visual aids to help students decode rhythmic patterns and move toward original creative notation by Second Grade.
• Orff Instrument Instruction: Use pitched and unpitched percussion as the primary gateway to literacy, guiding students from basic exploration to complex ensemble work on xylophones.
• Interdisciplinary Teaching: Partner with classroom teachers to bring "Immersive Themes" to life (e.g., Kenyan safari sounds or Indigenous traditional songs).
• Lead Community Performances: Orchestrate marquee musical celebrations, including the K-2 Sing-Along and the K-5 Spring Concert.
• Foster Resilience & Belonging: Utilize Laurel’s Center for Research on Girls (LCRG) "Pillars of Resilience" to help girls see mistakes as "next steps" and ensure every student feels a deep sense of ownership in their learning.

Administrative & Community Responsibilities

• Transparent Reporting: Provide meaningful feedback to families via checklists and comments, highlighting strengths and strategic recommendations for growth.
• Admissions Ambassador: Host prospective students in the music classroom, participate in Open Houses, and serve on the application review rotation.
• Relational Supervision: Engage in the full life of the school through "relational" duties such as lunch, recess, and afternoon dismissal.
• Collaborative Culture: Attend all faculty, staff, and departmental meetings; meet all deadlines for student comments and grades.

Requirements

• Educational Excellence: Ideally holds a graduate degree with 3+ years of teaching experience at the Primary level.
• Certification: Possess (or be able to acquire) a State of Ohio teaching certificate or non-tax certificate.
• Communication & Mindset: Excellent written/verbal skills and a "solutions-driven" attitude. Must thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Bonus Skills: Experience in outdoor learning environments or working with the Orff-Schulwerk approach is a significant plus.