K-3 Elementary Music Teacher

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

8d•$67,000 - $87,000

About The Position

BelovED Community Charter School is hiring an elementary music teacher to provide general music instruction for grades K-3, lead fifth-grade choir, and support band activities. The teacher plans and delivers engaging, age-appropriate lessons incorporating singing, movement, instruments, and creative expression; introduces foundational music theory, notation, rhythm, and performance skills; and aligns instruction with New Jersey music education standards. Teachers may create or adapt curricular materials and are expected to foster an inclusive, supportive environment that encourages joyful music-making. The role includes leading daily fifth-grade choir rehearsals, developing vocal health, technique, and ensemble skills, and selecting age-appropriate repertoire for an end-of-year choral performance. During the first weeks of school, the teacher co-teaches fifth-grade general music with the Electives Department Chair. After that transition, students rotate weekly between general music and choir in smaller cohorts. The teacher may also co-teach select band rehearsals or sectionals alongside the Department Chair; independent band instruction is not required. The teacher collaborates with the Electives Department Chair on curriculum progression, integrates interdisciplinary concepts and school-wide DEI initiatives, and participates in coaching, department, and staff meetings. The role prepares K-3 students for winter and spring showcases and fifth-grade students for an end-of-year concert with the fifth-grade band, while supporting additional music activities, instrumental lessons, and events as needed. The teacher communicates with families about classroom activities, student progress, and concerns. BelovED describes a school-wide team, career-long coaching and professional development, collaboration through professional learning communities, abundant planning periods, a designated lunch break, curricular materials, aligned formative assessments, and access to reading and math intervention teachers, social workers, and counselors. The position offers flexibility to use self-created materials and adapt or integrate resources for student needs and teaching style. The listed base salary for SY25/26 is $67,000-$87,000, with year-to-year raises and bonus and stipend opportunities. Teachers participate in New Jersey’s Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), and pension credits can be transferred between traditional public schools and charter schools.

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.
Classroom management, communication, and planning skills.

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.

Responsibilities

Commit to the school’s values and mission and maintain high expectations for every student’s achievement and development.
Take ownership of student achievement and learning progress, address problems proactively, and use available school resources and peer or leader support.
Plan and deliver vibrant, engaging, measurable-goal lessons within the school’s sequenced, standards-aligned program; use provided or self-created curricular materials.
Administer school-provided formative assessments regularly and use results to target instruction to student needs.
Model and communicate behaviors consistent with the school’s high-expectations culture and caring climate; apply rules consistently, use preventive discipline, and supervise students in classrooms and elsewhere on school grounds.
Participate in professional development, planning meetings, and a professional learning community, and collaborate with grade-level peers.
Work with special education and ELL staff to implement programs and comply with state and federal regulations.
Plan and teach age-appropriate general music lessons for grades K-3, incorporating singing, movement, instruments, and creative expression.
Teach basic music theory, notation, rhythm, and performance skills, and align lessons with New Jersey music education standards.
Develop original music lesson plans or adapt existing resources to support student learning and foster an inclusive, supportive music-making environment.
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 repertoire for an end-of-year choral performance.
Co-teach fifth-grade general music with the Electives Department Chair during the initial weeks of school, then support the weekly rotation between general music and choir in smaller cohorts.
Assist as needed with select full-band rehearsals or sectionals, co-teaching alongside the Electives Department Chair; independent band instruction is not required.
Collaborate with the Electives Department Chair on continuity and progression in music curriculum from K-3 to grades 4-5.
Integrate interdisciplinary concepts, including school-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, into the music curriculum.
Participate in coaching meetings, department meetings, and staff meetings.
Prepare K-3 students for winter and spring showcases and fifth-grade students for an end-of-year concert with the fifth-grade band.
Support additional music activities, instrumental lessons, and events as needed.

Benefits

Health care plan including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Retirement plan options listed as 401(k) and IRA, in addition to participation in New Jersey’s Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF).
Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and public holidays.
Family leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Training and development.
Year-to-year competitive raises and bonus and stipend opportunities.
Career-long coaching and professional development support.
Abundant planning periods and a designated lunch break.
Curricular materials and aligned formative assessments.
Access to reading and math specialists or intervention teachers, social workers, and counselors.