Music Teacher

Job Title: Music Teacher & Song Leader

REPORTS TO: Director of Jewish Life

FTE: The schedule of this role is flexible, approximately 0.5 to 0.8 FTE based on candidate background and availability. More teaching time may be available for candidates who have expereince and interest in teaching in Jewish educational programming.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt 

ABOUT PJA: As a Jewish Day School, we strive to ensure an academically rich environment which honors the whole child. Portland Jewish Academy (PJA) nurtures and inspires Jewish engagement, kavod (respect), and responsibility for the world in which we live. 

Guided by our middot (values) and our mission, we share a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. With Jewish life at our center, we aspire to ensure a genuine sense of belonging in all members of our community. We honor and teach the importance of the vast expansiveness of human diversity.

As a school community, we are committed to creating and sustaining an accessible, supportive, welcoming, and compassionate environment for all. We recognize and respond to individual and institutional prejudices, both overt and subtle. We demonstrate our commitment to tikkun olam (repair the world) through anti-bias curriculum, admission and employment practices, and social action. We are committed to ongoing professional learning to align our practices with our values. We recognize that the advancement of these goals is a process, and we choose to bring courage, reflection and curiosity to this work.

Our unique curriculum combines interdisciplinary learning, community involvement, and foreign language acquisition - all with a values-based approach. We offer our students many opportunities for partnership and collaboration throughout the school community. Students at PJA are encouraged to think critically, independently, and creatively.

This position is benefits eligible, including a fully paid Medical plan option, optional dental and a generous Paid Time Off plan including a paid spring break. PJA is not only a great place for kids to learn, it's a wonderful work environment. We have the most gifted teachers, dedicated administrators, and the best support staff in Portland. Come be a part of our team!

JOB SUMMARY: The PJA Music Teacher & Song Leader will develop and implement mission and developmentally appropriate music curriculum for K-8 students. As a Jewish school, the ideal candidate will have a background in both Jewish and secular music, however we are open to all candidates with a music background who are willing to learn. General duties include:

• Plan for and lead music classes for grades K-5 weekly 
• Co-produce, rehearse, and lead school performances 
• Provide instruction on various instruments, such as: ukulele, recorder, Orff instruments, percussion, etc. 
• Teach a middle school music exploratory. Offerings have included: choir, rock band, guitar instruction.
• Attend occasional staff meetings and professional development days 

MUSIC TEACHER ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: (These examples represent the essential functions of the position. They are not, however, inclusive of all the duties the position may be assigned to perform.)

Classroom Instruction: Design instruction focused on building understanding through inquiry, play, and exploration. Encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process by connecting to student’s prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests. Plan and implement a program of instruction that adheres to PJA’s philosophy, goals and objectives and meets student needs. Utilize a variety of instructional strategies to make subject matter accessible to all students.  

Curriculum Development: Utilize deep working knowledge of subject matter, curriculum frameworks, and student development to organize subject matter to facilitate students' understanding. Develop and sequence long-term and short-term instructional plans to support student learning. Establish and articulate goals for student learning. Plan and implement a differentiated program of study designed to meet individual student needs. Maintain current fluency in all relevant subject matter.

Assessment: Assess student progress on a regular basis using multiple methods of assessment, and use data to inform instruction. Involve all students in self-assessment, goal setting and monitoring progress. Review data individually and with colleagues, to monitor student learning. 

Collaboration: Collaborate with colleagues and engage in the broader professional community to support student learning. Work with other teachers and share responsibility for supervision of all students during the school day. Learn about and work with families to support student learning. Communicate regularly with families about learning and teaching. Coordinate and attend parent meetings.  

Creating & Maintaining a Classroom Environment: Create and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning by building meaningful relationships with students. Design an environment that reflects PJA’s mission and middot, and functions as a socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically safe community. Use instructional time to optimize learning through effective classroom routines, procedures, norms, and supports.

Professional Learning: Reflect on teaching practice to support student learning. Establish professional goals and engage in continuous and purposeful professional growth and development. Continue professional growth through attendance at workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or coursework at institutions of higher learning. Attend staff, department and committee meetings as required.

Other Duties as assigned/needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates may bring any combination of experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. This would typically include:

• Bachelor’s degree in education required. Master’s preferred.  
• Three years’ professional teaching experience preferred.
• Oregon or out of state licensure with appropriate endorsements or equivalent preferred. 
• Fluency in evidence-based instructional methods and resources in: student-centered inquiry-based instruction, core academic content areas, and social emotional learning.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff, parents/guardians, and students.
• Ability to follow school policies and procedures
• Ability to maintain appropriate work habits including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Ability to care for and work with students for extended periods of time in a variety of settings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to move about the PJA/MJCC campus including climbing stairs 
• Ability to sit at a computer and keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis 
• Ability to communicate clearly with students, parents, and groups of individuals 
• Ability to attend off-site meetings that may require reliable form of transportation

PJA is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Portland Jewish Academy (PJA) is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, compensating, and promoting the best-qualified individuals for positions at all levels in the organization. We provide Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made based on how an individual's skills and qualifications meet the responsibilities of the position for which they have applied. An individual will be free from discrimination based on characteristics protected by law such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related physical, mental, or sensory disability, or other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local laws. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated. PJA will make reasonable accommodations, including modification of organizational policies and procedures in appropriate cases for qualified individuals with disabilities if it can do so without undue hardship.