Long-Term Substitute - Orchestra Faculty 2026
About The Position
The Northwest School is an independent day and boarding school. We serve students in grades 6 to 12 on an urban campus in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. We provide an interdisciplinary liberal arts education that nurtures compassionate, globally aware and environmentally conscious individuals who find joy in learning and are ready to inspire and innovate in our interconnected world. Northwest fosters a warm, inclusive community dedicated to our school values. We believe that a diverse community enriches our institution, making it more creative and dynamic. The Northwest School is committed to building a faculty and student body that reflects the diversity of the broader society. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Our arts classes are taught by professional artists, dancers, and musicians, who believe that a well-rounded education depends upon an understanding of the creative process that only participation in many art forms can produce. Northwest seeks one part-time (. 75 FTE) performing arts teacher to teach three orchestra courses through mid-June 2026: Middle School Intro to Springs: 6th grade introductory orchestra course; students have no prior playing experience. Middle School Orchestra: 6th-8th grade orchestra class, all students must have prior playing experience. Upper School Orchestra: 9th-12th grade orchestra course; all students must have prior playing experience to join this experience.
Requirements
- All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the school’s mission, values, and philosophy, especially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; social justice, environmental sustainability, and global perspective.
- A bachelor’s degree in Music or Music Education and minimum 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job. This includes demonstration of the ability to teach a wide range of skill levels and instruments in an Orchestra.
- Demonstrated success with culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Experience teaching a diverse student body through a social justice lens.
- Basic piano proficiency skills required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience and interest in teaching different grade-levels and/or subject matter.
- Experience developing and implementing new curriculum.
- Minimum of 2 years of teaching experience at a secondary (6th-12th) level.
Responsibilities
- Teach three sections of Orchestra to middle and upper school students
- Collaborate with other performing arts teachers
- Coordinate curricula with other departments and grade-level teachers
- Coordinate and host after school performances and support performing arts events
- Cultivate positive family partnerships
- Participate fully in the life of the school, which includes collaborating effectively and collegially with a teaching team, grade-level, and department; engage regularly in formal, ongoing professional development beyond school based in- service; support colleagues and the school by substituting for absent teachers; participate in meetings, committees, and community gatherings; and know, understand, and uphold the mission, philosophy and values of the school.
- All teachers contribute to the school mission and community with activities such as supporting student social-emotional learning, interest groups (clubs), social events, and grade level trips.
- This list is not exhaustive, and to participate fully in the life of the school, teachers may need to participate in ways beyond what has been listed here.
Benefits
- The Northwest School offers an excellent benefits package which includes medical, dental, optional vision, long-term disability, and life and accident insurance coverage, fully paid for employee only coverage.
- A retirement program matches up to 6% of an employee's salary after one year of service in a 403(b) plan.
- An intentional, mission focused school culture, generous time off, lunch, access to the on-site fitness facility, an exceptional commitment to professional development, and a unique urban location are also benefits of working at the Northwest School.
