Berkshire Country Day School seeks a professional, experienced and versatile educator to teach music to Grades PreK – 8. The qualified candidate will have experience teaching music at the Lower School level, as well as an interest and excitement for teaching music and possibly concert band to Grades 5-8. A passion for the diverse traditions in music and the ability to vary classes by incorporating movement, song, instrumental instruction, music literacy, composition, and performance. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with other faculty and staff. Position may also entail leading chorus, band, and potentially collaborate with theater performances. In addition, the ability to offer individual or group instruction on musical instruments is a plus. Berkshire Country Day School offers a unique learning space in the Kim and James Taylor Music/Performance Room.

Berkshire Country Day School’s intentional approach of inquiry, discovery, and discussion, blends proven methods with emerging best practices to draw fully on the experiences and contributions of our entire school community. Our comprehensive curriculum leverages the talents of our educators and the natural resources of our extraordinary campus to inspire independence, academic excellence, and mutual respect. Students are challenged to think deeply about concepts and ideas, make learning personal and relevant, ask questions, and look for broader truths and understanding. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate an inclusive and equitable, student-centered approach to teaching and learning, skilled in differentiation, classroom management, and assessment. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy, and a firm grounding in best practices.

The successful candidate will be part of a close-knit teaching and learning community. A high degree of teamwork, collaboration, and communication are a must; a sense of humor is appreciated. Berkshire Country Day values high initiative, collaboration, creativity, and flexibility. Berkshire Country Day School serves students in Preschool through Eighth Grade. 

This position reports to the Associate Head of School.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Plan and prepare innovative, rigorous, and joyful instructional content
• Bring a deep knowledge and passion for music
• Plan and organize multiple music performances during the school year
• Have the content knowledge and personal flexibility to teach well students in a range of classes, up through the most advanced level
• Work collaboratively with a team of faculty, colleagues, administrators and parents
• Use and adapt to a wide array of teaching tools to deliver instruction as well as support and deepen student learning
• Maintain accurate student records such as grades and comments and communicate such data in accordance with the Academic Calendar and School expectations
• Support and act in accordance with the School’s mission and values
• Respond to parent inquiries promptly and appropriately as well as completing all grading, comments and notes on a timely basis

Requirements

• B.A and preferably an M.A. in Music, Music Theory, or a related field
• Teaching experience at the Lower and Middle School level
• Design and direct school performances, including seasonal concerts in band and chorus
• Maintain an organized and safe classroom space, and manage materials and instruments responsibly
• Ability to innovate and think creatively about education by developing students’ musical skills, including singing, rhythm, and instrumental performance
• Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, confidence, and risk-taking as well as differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs, abilities, and developmental stages of students from Pre K through Middle School
• Ability to collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate music into cross-curricular projects and school-wide events
• A growth mindset, creative approach, and excellent organizational and communication skills
• Training, demonstrated professional development, experience, or certification in teaching and learning
• Uphold the School’s professional standards including punctuality, courtesy and discretion
• Attends required in-service days, faculty meetings, admissions open houses, back-to-school night, parent conferences, and training sessions as designated
• Adheres to guidelines, procedures, and policies in the Employee Handbook 

About Berkshire Country Day School

Berkshire Country Day School (BCD) is a co-educational, independent school serving students age 2-grade 8 from Berkshire and Columbia Counties in Western, MA. A member of NAIS, BCD balances the wonder of childhood with academic preparation in a personalized environment that values the individuality of each student. BCD is located in Stockbridge, MA in the heart of the Berkshires. Our 26-acre campus has an abundance of woodlands, trails, streams and a pond in addition to the handful of tudor-style cottage type classroom buildings. At BCD we put people and relationships first, offering children a safe social and emotional space to grow into the confident adults they are meant to become. As the oldest independent school in the area, we are well-known for jump-starting lives that thrive on personal, academic and economic success rooted in values of citizenship, creativity, compassion and curiosity.

Connections working at Berkshire Country Day School