Guitar Teacher - HS, Part-time in Austin, Texas at Austin Waldorf School Inc

Job Title: Guitar Teacher - High School

Department: High School

Reports to: High School Director

Classification: Exempt, Benefits-ineligible, Part-time (two periods a week (on two afternoons)

Supervisory responsibility: None

Salary: Salary offered depends on qualifications and years of teaching experience

About the Role

The Guitar Teacher (or “Teacher”) inspires students through music instruction and performance while supporting the educational philosophy of the Austin Waldorf School. The position cultivates students' musical abilities, artistic expression, listening skills, discipline, and appreciation for music through developmentally appropriate instruction. The Teacher contributes to the cultural life of the school by performing, accompanying, and participating in school festivals, assemblies, and community events.

With or without reasonable accommodation, the Teacher must meet the qualifications and requirements herein and be able to perform the Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Demonstrated proficiency as a guitarist.
2. Experience teaching guitar to children or adolescents.
3. Excellent musicianship and performance skills.
4. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
5. Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and families.
6. Commitment to the mission of the school.
7. Bachelor’s degree in a music-related subject, education, or in a related field.
8. Strong classroom management skills.
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
10. Successfully complete pre-employment background checks.
11. Incumbent must be authorized to work legally in the U.S., as AWS is unable to sponsor an applicant/employee.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent guitar performance skills.
• Strong understanding of music theory.
• Ability to teach beginning through advanced students.
• Effective classroom management skills.
• Ability to inspire and teach students of varying ages and abilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Professional judgment and discretion.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a collaborative educational environment.

Essential Job Functions

Music Instruction

1. Provide engaging guitar instruction to students in accordance with Waldorf educational principles.
2. Teach students proper guitar technique, posture, rhythm, melody, harmony, and music reading as appropriate for their developmental stage.
3. Differentiate instruction to meet the varying skill levels and abilities of students.
4. Foster a love of music through encouraging, age-appropriate lessons.
5. Develop lesson plans that integrate musical artistry with the broader Waldorf curriculum when appropriate.
6. Encourage creativity, improvisation, and ensemble playing.

Performance and Accompaniment

1. Accompany student singing, eurythmy, dramatic productions, assemblies, and school celebrations as requested.
2. Perform at school concerts, festivals, and community events.
3. Collaborate with faculty to support music for seasonal festivals and classroom activities.
4. Assist in preparing students for musical performances and presentations.

Student Development

1. Create a classroom environment that encourages respect, confidence, and artistic growth.
2. Model professionalism, musicianship, and enthusiasm.
3. Observe student progress and communicate appropriately with parents and faculty.
4. Encourage consistent practice habits and musical responsibility.

Collaboration

1. Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to integrate music into the curriculum.
2. Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and school events.
3. Support the mission and philosophy of Waldorf education.
4. Maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Maintain music instructional materials and instruments in good condition.
2. Recommend music resources and equipment purchases.
3. Maintain attendance and other records as required by school policy.
4. Assist with planning concerts and music-related school events.

Other General Duties

1. Strong organizational and time management skills.
2. Professional judgment and discretion.
3. Flexibility and adaptability in a collaborative educational environment.
4. Maintain accurate attendance, grading, and reporting records.
5. Follow School policies and procedures and the instructions and guidance of supervisor.
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced classroom management skills that enable the Teacher to effectively deliver complex guitar teaching concepts in an understandable and engaging manner, adapting lessons to meet varied student needs.
2. Strong communication skills that are essential for explaining material clearly and fostering open dialogue with students and parents.
3. Classroom management skills to ensure a productive and respectful learning environment.
4. Familiarity with educational technology to allow the Teacher to incorporate digital resources that enhance learning and engagement.
5. Expertise in differentiated instruction to help tailor teaching approaches to support all learners, promoting equity and academic success.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Teacher must meet the following mental and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.
2. The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
3. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Teacher must be able to hear spoken words from students, parents, co-workers, and others.
4. Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing.
5. Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.
6. Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
7. Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, grasp, stretch, push and pull, and remain sitting or upright for extended periods of time in one room.

How to Apply

If you are qualified and interested in joining a warm, hospitable, and growing community such as ours, please email your updated resume and letter of interest along with three professional references, to awsrecruitment@austinwaldorf.org.

Place the job title and your full name in the subject line of your email message and address it as shown below. If you are applying for multiple jobs, please send a separate message for each job.

High School Director

Austin Waldorf School, Inc.

8700 South View Road

Austin, TX 78737

awsrecruitment@austinwaldorf.org