Posted: 05-May-25
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Type: Contract
Categories:
Job Title: Middle School Performing Arts Teacher (Choir & Drama)/Long Term Sub
Reports To: Head of Middle School
FLSA Status: Temporary
Department: Middle School
Schedule: Temporary/Maternity Leave
Alexander Dawson School Overview:
Located at the foot of Red Rock Canyon in the Summerlin community of Las Vegas, Nevada, since 2000, The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain is a top-ranked independent school serving approximately 575 students from Early Childhood through grade eight. As the state's first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school, Dawson embraces a modern learning philosophy and student-centered educational program emphasizing academics, creativity, student safety and wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance. Our graduates are prepared to achieve their individual potential, savor life, and meet the challenges of the world.
Alexander Dawson Middle School:
Guided by the Mission of the School and driven by Alexander Dawson’s strategic plan, grades 5-8 of the Middle School are a time for inquiry and self-discovery. The middle school experience allows for risk-taking and the pursuit of deeper intellectual challenges, and Dawson students are prepared to take on such challenges with the support of master teachers who provide individual attention, promote the freedom to be curious, and empower every student to find their passions and voice. Learning and growth occur in every corner of the Middle School, from the accessibility of conversations with advisors, teachers, administrators, and coaches to the strength of a community that fully believes and invests in each child. Teachers create lessons and learning environments that balance the intersection of academic knowledge, competency skills, and habits of mind.
Shared Values & Competencies of Dawson Employees
Alexander Dawson educators are engaged and innovative academic leaders committed to modern learning. Those who see opportunities before problems, lead with questions, assume positive intentions, are professional and respectful in their relationships, and collaborate effectively with colleagues of varied backgrounds find success in this working environment. Additionally, this position seeks individuals who:
- Commit to shaping a just, inclusive community and understand how centering equity impacts all aspects of the job
- Adapt a nimble mindset when dealing with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events
- Act with intentionality, transparency, humility, and honesty
- Develop solutions when faced with problems, challenges, or dysfunctions, and make decisions with resolve and empathy
- Communicate with care and clarity with multiple stakeholder groups
- Build trusting relationships and demonstrate teamwork through attentive listening and a commitment to collaboration
- Believe they can learn from others and lead with questions to gain perspective
- Act ethically, morally, and legally to maintain compliance with organizational policies
- In addition to resourcefulness and adaptability, effective problem-solving fundamentals include a respect for differences and a willingness to brainstorm with others to reach creative solutions
Position Summary:
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain seeks a long-term substitute Middle School performing arts teacher for a portion of the 2025-2026 school year. It is the primary responsibility of this position to develop engaging, content-rich, subject-specific lesson plans; teach students music and theater as a form of self-expression and storytelling; and educate critically and creatively about the role of music in the human experience and the ability of drama to help shape our communities and society. Dawson is looking for a dynamic performing arts teacher who loves teaching middle schoolers and can inspire our learners to question the world with deep curiosity and exude a joy for savoring life. Our teachers are encouraged to bring their passions into the classroom and share with students enthusiastically and innovatively to produce extraordinary outcomes. Working closely with the performing/visual arts department and grade-level teams, this educator is responsible for designing curriculum and creating an environment where each student feels an integral part of the school community. In addition to teaching, the educator will communicate regularly and proactively with students, families, and colleagues; contribute positively to the overall school culture; fulfil duties as assigned (recess, carpool, lunch supervision, etc.); and serve on school committees as requested or desired.
This long-term substitute position begins August 1, 2025 and tentatively concludes September 30, 2025. The successful substitute candidate is required to attend a new faculty onboarding program on July 22-24, 2025.
Essential Functions: The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:
Instructional and Planning Responsibilities
- Teach performing arts classes to students in grades 5-8, including choir, advanced vocal ensemble, theater-acting, musical theater, and/or dance
- Serve as an advisor to approximately 10-12 students; meet daily with advisory to deliver lessons and do personal check-ins with students.
- Teach knowledge and techniques in music and performing arts through song, dance, stories, and stage performance
- Utilize a variety of instructional and assessment strategies, including direct instruction, guided practice, class discussions, role playing, and other research-based practices that facilitate the development of knowledge and skills in the arts
- Assess students in multiple ways to evaluate their abilities, strengths, and areas for growth. Provide feedback and coaching to students that is timely, specific, realistic, relevant, and encourages goal-setting and reflection
- Create a classroom environment that actively engages students, is developmentally appropriate, and is responsive to student needs and behavior; employ a relational discipline approach
- Support and value the School’s commitment to social-emotional learning by serving as a middle school advisor to 12-15 students
- Convey high expectations for student achievement through visible instructional goals, learning activities, and interactions
Production Responsibilities
- Responsible for planning, producing, directing, and choreographing multiple shows annually. These performances include (minimally): a middle school musical, winter and spring performances, and an annual Arts in Motion event (spring)
- Collaborate with the theater tech teacher to coordinate the curriculum in alignment with performances
- Review current and future equipment needs and recommend purchases
- Coordinate production schedules with the Academic Program Manager
Professional Responsibilities
- Attend and actively engage in divisional and school-wide meetings and school-sponsored events
- Embrace a continuous improvement mindset that continually and critically reflects upon teaching and learning
- Embrace cultural competency and commit to ongoing growth in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Maintain an effective system for recording student progress where outcomes are continually monitored and assessed
- Maintain positive and caring relationships with families, communicate regularly about student progress, and remain responsive to concerns
- Attend conferences and professional development opportunities regularly to remain current with industry trends and best practices
Qualifications, Education & Experience:
- Minimum three years of middle school performing arts teaching experience as a lead teacher
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Theater, Fine Arts, or Performing Arts; Master’s preferred
- A strong desire to help educate passionate performing artists
- Professional performing and/or directing experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring
- Experience with inquiry-based learning pedagogies that put students at the center of their learning
- A strong awareness of current brain research related to the use of technology
Work Environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.