The Miquon School, a Progressive, non-sectarian independent school serving grades N-6 is seeking a full-time teacher to teach music starting mid January, 2025 as a sabbatical leave replacement.. Salary commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits include tuition remission, deferred compensation, sabbatical opportunities and health care.

This position reports to the Director of Teaching and Learning. We are a community that is diverse along ethnic, economic, and religious lines and Miquon seeks applicants who represent and broaden that diversity. 

The Role

The Music Specials Teacher contributes to the daily life of the students and the school. They support student growth in their enjoyment, appreciation, and performance of music through a variety of planned music experiences which include singing, moving to music, playing instruments, and preparing the 6th graders for their choral performance at their graduation.

The successful Music Teacher would have experience with the Responsive Classroom methodology as well as music teaching philosophies such as Conversational Solfege, Kodaly, Music Learning Theory, or Orff.

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Has experience with music content instruction; basic skills to use various instruments such as piano, guitar, and  especially recorder.
• The ability to teach and perform singing in the classroom and for school-wide performances.

• A deep understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, Progressive education, pedagogy, and values as well as a passion for learning.
• Nurture the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of our younger students.
• Design and implement a classroom environment that honors play as the way children learn about themselves, others, and their world.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing curriculum.
• Collaborate with grade level teachers and specialists around a theme-based curriculum.
• Foster strong relationships with students, families, and the wider Miquon Community
• Approach students from an asset-based perspective and collect anecdotal information about students’ interests and skills through observation and listening.
• Update families on their child’s progress and the curriculum through emails, narrative reports, and weekly classroom news postings.
• Enhance the school’s commitment to diversity and belonging through a developmentally appropriate lens to ensure students see themselves reflected in the classroom environment and curriculum.
• Engage in professional development opportunities to support continued growth in teaching and learning.
• Bring creativity, joy, and energy to the classroom and school community

• A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Music Education

In addition to the above listed requirements, we enthusiastically welcome other talents to enrich our community. Although we have many resources available to our teachers and our own scope and sequences for curricular areas, we do not adhere to a single textbook or published program throughout the school. The opportunity exists to create and implement a curriculum that will:

• Be soundly based in developmentally-appropriate practice and evolving research on learning and brain function.

• Embody the values of community, diversity, and democracy that are espoused at Miquon.

• Make extensive use of Miquon’s natural campus and the environment.

About Miquon

Founded in 1932 in a tradition of Progressive education that is strongly upheld today, Miquon is an independent, coeducational elementary school just outside Philadelphia for children in Nursery (age 3) through the 6th grade. The school enrolls approximately 150 students in nine mixed-age groups, typically 18-22 children in size.

Miquon is dedicated to honoring childhood, using innovative student-centered teaching practices, and developing children's knowledge of and appreciation for the environment. Time spent outside on our nearly 11-acre campus including woods, fields, and a creek is an integral part of every child’s Miquon experience. We value independent thinking, varied individual and collaborative approaches to learning, authentic assessment methods, and creative, child-focused approaches to curriculum development.

The Miquon School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation in the employment of staff, admission of students, granting of financial aid, or the administration of school policies. 

Application Procedure

Please send your statement of educational philosophy, resume, and a cover letter addressing your skills and experience in the areas listed above to resumes@miquon.org. Resumes will be reviewed immediately and will be considered until the position is filled.

Bachelor's degree

About The Miquon School

The Miquon School is a small progressive elementary school for children in Nursery (age 3) through 6th Grade. We are located on 10+ wooded acres in a valley just outside of Philadelphia. Founded in 1932, we remain dedicated to preserving childhood, using innovative student-centered teaching practices, and developing children's knowledge of and appreciation for the environment. The Miquon School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation in the employment of staff, admission of students, granting of financial aid, or the administration of school policies. We are a community that is diverse along ethnic, economic, and religious lines and actively seek staff members who represent and broaden that diversity.

Connections working at The Miquon School