Music Teacher

Due to anticipated enrollment growth across all divisions, The First Academy is seeking a joyful, professionally skilled Music Teacher to cultivate a love of music and worship among students in our Lower School, Preschool, Hybrid Home+School, and Distinct Abilities Learning divisions. The ideal candidate will be a mission-driven educator who views music as a gift from the Creator, reflecting His beauty and order. We are looking for a versatile specialist who can manage a diverse classroom—including students with unique abilities—by implementing multisensory and adaptive instructional strategies. Whether leading a K4 class in rhythmic movement, teaching 4th graders the fundamentals of music theory, or directing a 5th-grade choral program, the successful candidate will inspire students to use their voices and instruments to glorify God and serve their community.

Core Instructional Competencies

Inclusive & Adaptive Pedagogy: Designing lessons that accommodate students with unique abilities (neurodiversity/physical needs) through the use of assistive technology, sensory-friendly instruments, and visual schedules.
Multisensory Instruction: Utilizing the Orff-Schulwerk or Kodály methods to teach rhythm and pitch through movement, chanting, and hands-on instrument play.
Worship Leadership: Orchestrating student-led worship for Lower School chapels, helping children understand the role of music in spiritual formation.
Music Literacy & Technology: Introducing the grand staff and basic composition using age-appropriate tools, moving from concrete rhythmic patterns to abstract notation.
Performance Management: Coordinating school-wide programs, including the Christmas program and spring concerts, ensuring a high standard of excellence and student participation.
Classroom Culture of Honor: Creating a Christ-centered environment where every student feels safe to take creative risks and where peer encouragement is the standard.

Professional Qualifications

Required Education: Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A Master’s degree in Education or the specific subject area is preferred.
Subject Expertise: Degree emphasis in the area of instruction or a directly related field is strongly preferred.
Communication Skills: Possess solid, professional communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with students, parents, and colleagues. This includes the ability to present complex information clearly and engage in constructive dialogue.
Organizational Skills: Exhibit strong organizational skills, including efficient time management, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to finish tasks in a timely manner and manage multiple classroom responsibilities simultaneously.
Collaboration: Proven ability to effectively partner and collaborate with colleagues, administration, and parents to support the holistic development of students.
Confidentiality: Absolute ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all sensitive school, student, and personnel matters, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
Work Ethic: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, professionalism, reliability, and punctuality.
Instructional Technology: Experience with and aptitude for using current educational technology to enhance classroom instruction, student engagement, and professional tasks.
Learning Management Systems (LMS): Such as Canvas or Google Classroom.
Productivity Suites: Including Google Suite for Education and/or Apple iWork Suite.
Hardware/Equipment: Expertise in operating devices such as MacBooks, iPads, and Interactive Whiteboards, or similar classroom presentation technologies.
Certification Requirement: Hold or be eligible to obtain a valid teaching certificate:
Licensure by a regional accreditation agency (e.g., ACSI) is highly preferred.
Valid/Professional State Teacher’s Certification (e.g., Florida Teacher’s Certification)
Eligibility for a Temporary State Certificate within 30 days of employment, with the expectation that a permanent certification is secured within three (3) years.
Teaching Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of successful classroom teaching experience in the subject area is recommended.
Demonstrated Ability: Possess demonstrated expertise and ability to manage, instruct, and motivate students, or provide equivalent proven subject expertise through related professional work experience.