Music Specialist

Department: Faculty

Reports To:  Assistant Head of School

Hours/Type of Role: Full-time, Exempt

Start Date:  August 17, 2026

Since 1972, Giddens School has held an unyielding commitment to social justice and equity as a central guide to our work with children. As a school community, we have the foundation to push ourselves forward and engage justice and equity within and beyond the school walls. The years ahead present Giddens School with exciting and ambitious strategic initiatives. 

Our children are the future. At Giddens School, we prepare them to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities to make a difference in the real world. It’s our mission to develop academically and emotionally confident children who will advocate for themselves and others. Our extraordinarily independent school helps students to discover themselves and become who they can be.

We believe the best learning happens in a diverse, inclusive, and caring school environment. We care deeply about equity and authentically nurturing a diverse community. It’s not enough to talk about it- we walk the walk in daily life at Giddens.

Giddens School is looking for a creative, positive, and dynamic Music Specialist to teach music to ECE and Elementary students and be an active member of a collaborative teaching team. Our ideal candidate will:

Essential Responsibilities 

• Have deep knowledge of elementary music content and pedagogy 
• Create a fun and enjoyable learning environment that inspires students to develop a love of music, including choral performance and instrumental music 
• Provide students with learning opportunities that allow them to develop the skills and understanding to create, perform and listen to music which includes, but it not limited to:
• Vocal instruction
• Pitch, rhythm, music notation and how to read music
• Teach students about instruments and provide instruction to help students learn how to play an instrument (ukulele, recorder, string, wind, etc)
• Foster an appreciation of music
• Teach an articulated and aligned program that develop skills from our youngest students up through our oldest students
• Instill students with a deep commitment to justice through curricular choices, performance pieces, and the social-emotional wellbeing of student performers
• Plan and prepare students for school-wide performances, such as choral concerts, instrument ensembles, assemblies and celebrations
• Give feedback and assess students for learning
• Lead our bi-monthly community All School Sings and other community events
• Value our school mission and enrich instruction with a commitment to diversity through respect for all children and cultures. 
• Initiate growth and change in intellectual and professional development, seeking feedback and other learning opportunities.
• Engage students in inquiry-based and experiential learning with clear outcomes that allow for student-led curiosity and discovery. 
• Demonstrate cultural competency and culturally responsive teaching
• Foster effective relationships with all stakeholders, between teacher and students, and among students, and support a sense of safety and belonging.
• Focus on continual personal growth using the Giddens Teaching Standards framework. 

Application Process: 

Please submit a cover letter and resume to employment@giddensschool.org 

Equal Opportunity Statement: 

Giddens School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The school’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. 

Qualifications and skills:  

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of music and have excellent experience in teaching and working with students in the field of music
• Demonstrate personal skills and creative talents in music, including proficiency in a musical instrument, piano or guitar preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead children in sing and in front of an audience
• All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the school’s mission, values, and philosophy, especially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion  
• A desire to work in a diverse community 
• At least three years of teaching experience in an Early Childhood Education-12 setting, elementary experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Music and/or Music Education, Master’s degree preferred
• Deep knowledge of the developmental needs of elementary students 
• Ability to meet school’s standards when completing a background check

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. 

About Giddens School

Since 1972, Giddens School has held an unyielding commitment to social justice and equity as a central guide to our work with children. This 50-year commitment, along with our country’s painful reckoning with the long history of anti-Blackness and the recent increase in bias incidents facing others in marginalized communities, has galvanized these efforts. As a school community, we have the foundation to push ourselves forward and engage justice and equity within and beyond the school walls. The years ahead present Giddens School with exciting and challenging strategic initiatives. Giddens kids are prepared for the real world—how to understand, navigate, shape, and thrive in it. We have designed our values, curriculum, admissions process, learning approach, and family support with social awareness and community at the core. Our educators know that developing a moral compass is as powerful as building a strong academic foundation. We educate the whole child by innovatively integrating emotional learning, academics, and social justice perspectives to help students become engaged, connected, and empowered to contribute and participate. We believe the best learning happens in... a diverse, inclusive, and caring school environment. We care deeply about equity and authentically nurturing a diverse community. It’s not enough to talk about it- we walk the walk in daily life at Giddens. Our children are the future. At Giddens School, we prepare them to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities to make a difference in the real world. It’s our mission to develop academically and emotionally confident children who will advocate for themselves and others. Our extraordinarily independent school helps students to discover themselves and become who they can be.

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