Music Teacher (Middle School)

Earn a $140,000 salary and join a team of master teachers at The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and on 60 minutes for its revolutionary teacher salaries and its outstanding results. TEP aims to achieve educational equity for students from traditionally underserved communities by utilizing world-class teachers, while re-imagining the teaching profession as a place in which teachers prioritize their own growth - as pedagogical experts, intellectual seekers, and community leaders.

Watch the video below to learn more about TEP's investment in teachers.

About the Role (Responsibilities)

TEP is deeply committed to music instruction, as evidenced by the fact that TEP students learn music every day, across every grade level. As one of the three pillars of our program (Academics, Arts, and Athletics), TEP treats Music as a full-fledged academic subject, and not as an elective meant to supplement.

TEP middle school students study general music in 5th grade; this includes singing instruction, basic instrumental instruction, rhythm and musical notation, and music history. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades specialize in one of the following tracks: chorus, band, or modern ensembles. Students in each track spend their daily music period engaging in formal voice or instrumental instruction and practicing in their ensemble, while also continuing to develop their music literacy skills. TEP’s gold-rated music program emphasizes performance through regular ensemble concerts for the TEP community.

About You (Qualifications)

• Deeply aligned to TEP’s mission of providing a world-class education to historically under-resourced student communities (90% of TEP students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 22% of TEP students receive Special Education services, and 25% of TEP students are Multi-Lingual Learners)
• Classroom experience: Minimum of 3 years of lead teaching experience, at least 2 of which must have been in classrooms that support Special Education students in 4th through 9th grade classrooms in a public charter school, traditional public school, or private school setting
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement a comprehensive and engaging music education curriculum aligned with state standards
• Specialized knowledge of brass instruments is strongly preferred
• Passion for music education, student development, and preparing students for music performance and competitions
• Knowledge of music theory and music history , and ability to incorporate both into lesson plans and instruction
• Experience working with musical instruments in a structured music department or school music program
• Effective classroom management, organization skills, and communication skills
• Certification requirements : Music Teachers do not need to possess a New York State Teacher Certification to be hired at TEP Charter School. However, prospective Music Teachers that do not yet have New York State teaching certification must identify and present a pathway to obtain New York State teaching certification on their application

Why TEP (Benefits)

At TEP, growth isn't just for our students—continued growth is also a central priority for our teachers. That's why we're redefining the teacher experience, offering a rewarding career that includes an annual salary that matches TEP’s high expectations.

• Compensation : Master Teachers earn an annual salary of $140,000, with the opportunity to earn a significant annual bonus up to $35,000 based on whole school performance
• Redefined Work-Year : 3 extended rest breaks and 3 professional development institutes focused on learning and collaboration
• Unmatched Educator Talent : Be surrounded by a collaborative community of experienced, passionate educators who care about educational equity
• Time Off : Approximately 10 weeks of vacation per year (all school vacations)
• Employee Wellness : We value your well-being through our Staff Food Program, Staff Retreats, and Wellness Programming
• Healthcare : World-class medical, dental, vision, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Life Insurance policies
• Family Focus : Parental leave and dependent care account so you can care for your loved ones
• 403b Retirement Plan : We care about your ability to save for your future
• Learning & Development : A culture that provides and encourages professional growth and development, including professional development and tuition/continuous learning reimbursements

Application Process

TEP is designed and structured around the belief that great teachers are the key to achieving educational success for students. As such, we require applicants to demonstrate their qualifications throughout the application and hiring process. The requirements for each applicant include:

• Resume: Applicants must submit an up-to-date resume
• Cover Letter: Applicants must submit a well-written cover letter highlighting their specific interest in joining the TEP community
• Submission of Teaching and Learning: Applicants must submit a portfolio of student work, assessment data for a class of students, or an original curricular tool that they have personally developed

The requirements forthe Submission of Teaching and Learning are specified in detail below:

SUBMISSION OF TEACHING AND LEARNING : Submit one of the following three options:

Option A: Portfolio of Student Work that demonstrates the progress of at least two specific students that you have taught. The portfolio must contain a minimum of two work products for each student (for a minimum of four work products) completed at different points in time during the period when each student was in your class. The portfolio must be accompanied by a written narrative that analyzes and reflects upon the progress that each student demonstrates. There is no minimum or maximum length for the narrative.

Option B: Assessment Data for at least one entire class of students that you have taught. The assessments may be standardized national, state, or city assessments or your own self-created assessments. The assessment data can be provided in any form that you choose (official documents with students’ last names crossed-out, or documents that you create to summarize student assessment performance). The data you provide should ideally show progress over time; as such, it is recommended (though not required) that you provide data for at least two assessments taken at different points in time. The assessment data must be accompanied by a copy of the assessments themselves. If a specific assessment is unavailable, provide a copy of a similar assessment. The assessment data must also be accompanied by a written narrative that provides background on the assessments, explains how the assessments measure student performance, and analyzes the results of your class. There is no minimum or maximum length for the narrative.

Option C: Original Curricular Tool of any form that you have personally developed. The requirement here is deliberately open-ended because we are interested in seeing anything that you have developed that you believe has meaningfully supported your students' learning. This may take the form of written materials, a unique instructional methodology, a technological innovation, etc. The curricular tool must also be accompanied by a written narrative that provides background on the tool, how the tool functions, and speaks to the impact of the tool within your classroom. There is no minimum or maximum length for the narrative.