K-3 Elementary Music Teacher

BelovED Community & Empowerment Academy Charter Schools • Jersey City, NJ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

BelovED Community Charter School is hiring a K-3 Elementary Music Teacher to teach general music to students in kindergarten through third grade and support the school’s broader music program. The teacher will plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons that incorporate singing, movement, instruments, creative expression, basic music theory, notation, rhythm, and performance skills. Lessons should align with New Jersey music education standards, foster an inclusive and supportive environment, and may use teacher-created or adapted materials.

The role also includes leading daily fifth-grade choir rehearsals, selecting age-appropriate repertoire for an end-of-year choral performance, and supporting selected band rehearsals or sectionals collaboratively with the Electives Department Chair. The teacher will collaborate on curriculum progression, interdisciplinary and school-wide initiatives, performances, and events. During the first weeks of school, the teacher will co-teach fifth-grade general music with the Electives Department Chair; afterward, students will rotate weekly between general music and choir in smaller cohorts.

The school describes itself as a diverse, high-achieving public charter school that supports teachers through career-long coaching, professional development, collaborative planning, curricular materials, formative assessments, abundant planning periods, and a designated lunch break. The position offers a base salary of $67,000–$87,000 for SY25/26, with competitive year-to-year raises and bonus and stipend opportunities. A master’s degree is not required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
• New Jersey Department of Education certification: CE, CEAS, or Standard.
• Demonstrated experience teaching elementary school music or equivalent experience focused on younger learners.

Nice To Haves

• Vocal music background and experience leading young singers.
• Familiarity with Orff, Kodály, or similar pedagogical approaches.
• Ability to play piano or guitar to accompany classroom activities.
• Classroom management, communication, and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate general music lessons for kindergarten through third-grade students, incorporating singing, movement, instruments, and creative expression.
• Introduce basic music theory, notation, rhythm, and performance skills.
• Develop original lesson plans or adapt existing resources to support student learning and align lessons with New Jersey music education standards.
• Foster an inclusive, supportive environment that encourages students’ enjoyment of making music.
• Communicate with families about classroom activities, student progress, and concerns.
• Lead daily fifth-grade choir rehearsals focused on vocal health, technique, and ensemble singing.
• Select age-appropriate repertoire for an end-of-year fifth-grade choral performance.
• Co-teach fifth-grade general music with the Electives Department Chair during the first few weeks of school, then support weekly rotations between general music and choir in smaller cohorts.
• Assist with selected full-band rehearsals or sectionals alongside the Electives Department Chair; independent band instruction is not required.
• Collaborate with the Electives Department Chair to plan continuity and progression in the music curriculum from grades K-3 to grades 4-5.
• Integrate interdisciplinary concepts into the music curriculum, including school-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
• Participate in coaching, department, and staff meetings.
• Prepare K-3 students for winter and spring Showcases.
• Prepare fifth-grade students for a dedicated end-of-year concert with the fifth-grade band.
• Support additional music activities, instrumental lessons, and events as needed.
• Take ownership of student learning, use formative assessments to target instruction, and seek support and resources to address student needs.
• Apply classroom and school rules consistently, use preventive discipline, and supervise students in classrooms and elsewhere on school grounds.
• Collaborate with special education and ELL staff to implement relevant programs and comply with state and federal regulations.
• Participate in professional development, planning meetings, and professional learning communities.

Benefits

• Participation in the New Jersey Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), with pension credits transferable to or from a traditional public school.
• Health care plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement plan, including 401(k) and IRA.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and public holidays.
• Family leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Training and development.
• Career-long coaching and professional development support.
• Abundant planning periods and a designated lunch break.
• Research-based curriculum, curricular materials, and aligned formative assessments.
• Access to full-time reading and math specialists or intervention teachers, social workers, and counselors.
• Competitive year-to-year raises and bonus and stipend opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level