OrchKids Teaching Artist

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra•Baltimore, MD

11h

About The Position

The OrchKids Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator who leads classes to students in grades 1-12. Each Teaching Artist helps guide the musical development of the program’s instrumental players through small group classes (2-4 students), ensemble sectionals, and/or private lessons. The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered and social emotional learning, evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, high artistic quality and performance, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. This methodology aims to promote synchronicity and community as well as simultaneously cultivating high artistic instrumental skills (i.e. technique, learning challenging repertoire) and fostering creativity. OrchKids supports the professional development of all our teaching artists by providing compensated and mandatory training on topics including trauma-informed teaching, classroom routines and practices, implicit bias and racism within the context of Baltimore City, and other pedagogical resources. Support and feedback is also provided through teacher observation, reflection meetings, and regular communication with Program Managers, Director of Education, and Associate Director of Programs.

Requirements

Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students
Strong classroom management skills
Considerable experience teaching beginner – intermediate level students, preferably with experience teaching in a group setting
In-depth knowledge of beginner to intermediate musical pedagogy and repertoire on their instrument of expertise
Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively with the OrchKids team
Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

Instrumental lessons: May be leading group classes (5-10 students), small-group classes (2-4 students) and/or private lessons in accordance with the OrchKids curricular and educational philosophy as outlined in OrchKids orientations and teacher professional development sessions.
Ensemble sectionals: Lead sectional rehearsals on ensemble days with groups of students (number of students vary based on section size) as well as playing side-by-side with students in sections during full ensemble rehearsals. Sectional lesson plans should follow the recommendations of the String or Wind ensemble directors.
Serve as a consistent and compassionate mentor to OrchKids students.
Hold students to high artistic standards, cultivating both their technical and ensemble skills
Embrace OrchKids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles.
Assist with the implementation of systems, standards and evaluations related to student progress and assessments.
Perform administrative duties essential to running one’s own classroom, including photocopying, room setup/breakdown, lesson planning, etc.
Supervise students during transitions and breaktime.
Attend required concerts, meetings, events, and professional development sessions.
Actively incorporate into classes the perspectives, strategies, language, routines, and other pedagogical tools conveyed through the OrchKids professional development sessions.
Participate in annual teacher observation, feedback, and reflection conversations and processes as carried out by the Education team[1]
Plan outside of lesson time, which includes but is not limited to: Creating lesson plans, reading and reviewing the weekly teacher newsletter announcements, completing all necessary planning outside of class time (additional compensated time included in scope of work)
Supply requests/maintenance/managing classroom needs
Communicate with the team and respond to student nomination requests for external musical opportunities
Respond to emails within 48 hours
Complete all required student surveys and assessments by their due date [2]
Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with OrchKids staff
Submitting a substitute request and complete substitute lesson plans if there is a necessary absence.