SY 26-27: Lower School Lead Music Teacher

WITH TRAINING  IN STRING ORCHESTRA INSTRUCTION

MISSION

Bridge Boston Charter School is an inclusive and joyful community that combines a dynamic academic and social-emotional learning program with an innovative full-service model in order to meet the needs of the whole child and ensure our Scholars can achieve their greatest potential in high school and beyond.  

VISION

In collaboration with our families and community partners, we shape curious, creative, and resilient 21st-century Scholars who are equipped to make a bold difference in our world.

OVERVIEW

Bridge Boston Charter School is a tuition-free, K1-8 public school serving 335 students in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and the surrounding community– many of whom have experienced social, emotional, and developmental barriers to learning. Bridge Boston’s robust social-emotional program is designed with an eye to supporting students who have experienced trauma in their homes and communities.

CORE VALUES

Joy: We try to bring a positive energy to everything we do and create opportunities to celebrate our individual and collective success.

Achievement:  We strive for excellence and hold each other and ourselves accountable to the highest of standards. 

Generosity: We look for opportunities to help one another and lift up other members of our community.

Unity: We are one team and resolve our differences respectfully so we can move forward as a united front.

Acceptance: We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone feels known and valued. 

Resilience: We confront challenges and adversity head-on and never, ever give up.

Bridge Boston also has a Foundation Board that is a 501c non-profit for fundraising to support the school. 

Learn more about Bridge Boston here.
 

ABOUT THE MUSIC PROGRAM - The El Sistema-inspired music program is central to the community at Bridge Boston. As the  school pursues high academic standards, it also maintains a commitment to allow students to experience the arts, beauty, and joy.  The music program strives to expose children in such ways. Starting in first grade, every Bridge Boston student participates in our  instrumental music program, not just those students perceived to have musical talent or interest. Through daily ensemble-based  rehearsals, students learn not only how to play, listen to, and appreciate music; they also learn how to persevere through challenges,  to hold themselves to high standards, and to achieve in ways that they may not have expected.

THE POSITION 

The job of a Bridge Boston music teacher can be summed up as follows: relentless pursuit of student growth. At Bridge, we place an equal value on academic and social-emotional growth. Our students thrive academically when they have teachers who build caring and trusting relationships by taking the time to understand and holistically meet their learning needs. 

WHO IS A SUCCESSFUL TEACHER AT BRIDGE?

Here’s what we’ve seen from our most successful teachers at Bridge: 

• Curiosity about student learning - They are driven to use data, student work, and observations of learning to figure out how to give their student what they need to grow as scholars and as human beings. 
• Love for the content - They love the puzzle of figuring out how to make academic content engaging and accessible to all students. 
• Cultural sensitivity and humility - They know that strong relationships are the foundation of teaching and learning, and therefore recognize that there’s constant work to be done to build trust with all their students, families, and colleagues. 
• Continuous learning - They are reflective and inquisitive about what is and is not working for their students, and they’re open to learning and trying new things through professional development and coaching. 
• Professionalism & Collaboration - They understand that being a good teammate and role model is as important to our overall success as a school as being an effective instructor. 
• Positivity - Even when faced with extraordinary challenges, they work hard to stay open minded, strengths based, solutions oriented, and proactive. 

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Instructional Leadership in Grades 1-4

• Effectively develop and lead standards-based & curriculum aligned instructional music lessons in Grades 1 - 4 that will ultimately ensure Bridge Boston Scholars are academically ready and prepared to meet and/or exceed state and national standards,
• Adapt and build upon existing curriculum to plan lessons in Grades 1 - 4 that are engaging and motivating for our students and that leverage best practices learned from PD and coaching, 
• Continue to develop specialized music instruction to support upper school music instruction, including but not limited to viola, cello, and double bass
• Work collaboratively to ensure that unit and lesson plans are aligned with school music program’s vision and priorities,
• Work collaboratively with teaching teammates to create and share lesson plans in a timely manner,
• Proactively communicate with our students’ families to ensure that they understand what their child is learning and how they can support their child’s academic growth and achievement. 

Classroom Culture & Management

• Establish and maintain high standards of student behavior needed to achieve optimal learning atmosphere in the classroom
• Hold students accountable for meeting high behavioral expectations, while still working relentlessly to build positive relationships and implement restorative practices with young people
• Provide a functional and attractive environment in the classroom conducive for learning
• Use our Morning Meeting SEL block to plan and deliver explicit social-emotional learning lessons
• Adhere to & promote Bridge’s systems and policies for maintaining a positive and productive school culture.

Assessment

• Administer assessments in a variety of forms (e.g. daily exit tickets, unit assessments, literacy & math diagnostics, etc) in accordance with our instructional vision and priorities,
• Use scholar work and assessment data to inform instruction and targeted intervention that drives student achievement; and
• Evaluate students’ academic and social growth, keep appropriate records, prepare student reports and communicate regularly with families regarding their child's progress.

Professional Growth & Responsibilities

• Actively engage with grade level, division level, and school-wide professional development and coaching by demonstrating a willingness to continuously grow through practice and feedback
• Communicate proactively and constructively with peers and supervisors about ways to improve the overall school experience for students and staff
• Supervise students and maintain high expectations for behavior during out-of-classroom activities (e.g. hallway transitions, assemblies, lunch and recess, etc)
• Submit attendance, behavior and academic reports in a timely manner
• Arrive on time for all assigned duties and responsibilities
• Participate in required family engagement activities such as curriculum nights, parent-teacher conferences, school music concerts, and other cultural events
• Adhere to Bridge Boston’s Staff and Employee Handbook policies

Qualifications 

• Must have completed MTEL by the end of their first year with Bridge Boston or have MA teacher certification 
• Proficiency in a string instrument and a master’s degree in music education strongly preferred 
• At least 3 to 4 years’ experience teaching music in an elementary or middle school  
• Excellent organizational skills, personal skills and the willingness to be a team player 
• Superior written and verbal communication skills 
• Real commitment to life-long learning 
• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity; believes in the value of diversity  
• CPR and First-Aid certification or a willingness to obtain them 

• Developing and implementing a string orchestra-centered music curriculum and musical repertoire
• Delivering dynamic and creative instruction 
• Identifying students who are not meeting benchmarks and planning appropriate interventions 
• Assisting in planning three school-wide music concerts 
• Serving as an advisor for a group of students 
• Collaborating with other teachers and administrators 
• Accepting other duties as assigned 
• Representing Bridge Boston in the local and national El Sistema network