Vocal Music Instruction/Choir Director – Part Time

Logic and Rhetoric Vocal Music Instructor/Choir Director

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt - Part-Time

REPORTS TO:        Fine Arts Director

Purpose

The purpose of this position is to instruct students in 6th through 12th grades in the foundations of musical performing arts using classical methods and a biblical worldview in order to prepare students with excellence to celebrate God’s truth, knowledge and wisdom through music.

Summary

The Choral Music Instructor provides instruction to two distinct student groups:  Logic School (6th through 8th grades) and Rhetoric School (9th through 12th grades). This includes Voice Class Instruction for 6th – 8th  and High School Choir.

Logic School:  The teacher capitalizes on middle school students’ natural tendency to question and test what they are learning. Building upon the foundational knowledge acquired in Grammar School (stage 1 of the trivium), the teacher is expected to lead students as they challenge the truth, goodness and beauty of God’s world through methods consistent with the second stage of the classical approach to learning known as the logic stage. The instruction is deliberately structured to encourage development of critical and abstract thinking skills.

Rhetoric School:  The teacher provides instruction in an educational environment where students defend a love for God’s created order as they explain the truth, goodness and beauty of His world through methods consistent with the third stage of the classical approach to learning known as the rhetoric stage. The focus here is on teaching students how to form clear, eloquent arguments, and to communicate and defend these ideas via a written and oral thesis at the end of the senior year.

Regardless of the age group taught, the Choral Music Instructor will lead, instruct, disciple, and mentor students in a manner consistent with the School’s Statement of Faith and the Portrait of a Geneva Teacher. The teacher will purposefully partner with parents in the education and spiritual development of their children. The Choral Music Instructor will partner collegially with other School employees and will actively pursue intellectual and professional development.

Supervision Received and Exercised

The Choral Music Instructor receives direction from the Fine Arts Director. The instructor must exercise judgment that is in keeping with the School’s philosophy of education, beliefs and values, and with the approved curriculum. The Fine Arts Director or designee will offer instruction, advice, direction and mentoring. The work is reviewed regularly and consistently.

The Choral Music Instructor exercises functional supervision over students and classroom environment.

Work Schedule

This is a part-time, academic year position (20 hours per week). However, as an exempt employee, the employee is expected to work beyond the workday to perform duties outlined in the job description and as assigned. Preparations for theatre productions and Fine Arts Department competitions will typically occur outside of this schedule and may require significant time commitments. Faculty meetings are also required.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Job Functions

Spiritual Leadership

• Study the Bible, God’s only written Word
• Skillfully articulate the personal/ethical implications of a lifelong faith commitment
• Measure knowledge against the standard of God’s revealed truth in Scripture
• Actively participate in the explicitly religious components of the student and community programs
• Demonstrate an overt commitment to the life of a church and its core traditions
• Respect the School’s Christian mission and values, and aid students in Christian formation by exemplifying Christian living, both in and out of the classroom
• Be a positive role model for students by supporting Geneva’s Beliefs including the School’s Statement of Faith and Statement on Identity, Sexuality and Gender and exemplifying the Portrait of a Geneva Teacher 
• Perform duties as a minister and steward of the Christian faith

Lesson Planning, Preparation and Presentation

• Demonstrate understanding of pedagogical knowledge, skills and objectives in a classical, Christian school  
• Establish a classroom environment that follows the classical methodology with a biblical worldview 
• Implement the approved educational program 
• Develop, maintain and implement lesson plans, learning activities, schedules, etc. that fulfill the requirements of the School’s curriculum program and show written evidence of preparation, as required 
• With Fine Arts Director’s approval, review, revise and write a syllabus and curriculum, modifying plans based on student progress and assessment 
• Establish clearly articulated standards for student academic performance
• Meet all FACTS and Overview entry deadlines for lesson plans and homework and update as needed 

Student Learning

• Convey information to students in ways that support the classical methodology and are appropriate for teenagers 
• Use clear language and appropriate vocabulary, avoiding teen colloquialisms and speech 
• Deliberately articulate and demonstrate how the subject relates to other subjects, thus demonstrating God’s integrated universe 
• Provide just, reliable, understandable grade/reward structures 
• Schedule and assign instructional activities and homework with clear goals, providing timely feedback on the results 
• Assess students’ learning and monitor students' academic progress and personal growth toward stated objectives of instruction 
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student achievement through formal and informal testing 
• Explain to students the grades received and ensure understanding of how improvement might be possible 
• Provide private and public positive reinforcement for individual and group successes 
• Maintain student learning results by providing instructional feedback, reviews, coaching, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, etc. 
• Maintain records of students' educational progress by documenting accomplishments, attendance and behavior using FACTS 

Classroom Management

• Understand, embrace, interpret and apply Geneva School policies, procedures, and regulations affecting School operations and programs in accordance with the Logic and Rhetoric cultures 
• Establish, articulate and maintain standards of student behavior to achieve a classroom climate conducive to learning and respect 
• Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students 
• Maintain a safe, organized, clean, and stimulating environment in the classroom 
• Manage student behavior in accordance with Fine Arts, Logic, and Rhetoric School Handbooks 
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities 
• Prioritize tasks, including non-urgent, but important matters 
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required 
• Know and understand safety procedures including training in first aid and CPR
• Understand and implement the demerit and House Point systems 
• Maintain personal classroom practices and deportment that foster an atmosphere of support and predictability for the students 

Communication

• Establish meaningful emotional/psychological engagement with students, finding occasional appropriate ways to be involved in students’ outside-the class lives without compromising privacy (for example: attending occasional athletic events or plays) 
• Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with parents, students, colleagues, and community members  
• Maintain godly relationships with parents, other staff members and the community  
• Communicate proactively with parents through email, notes, phone calls and conferences to inform them about the class and/or to discuss student progress 
• Support parents by providing academic information, suggesting available educational and social resources, addressing concerns, and answering questions and requests with Fine Arts Director input and support 
• Answer all emails and phone calls in a timely fashion and be available for appointments with parents

Professionalism

• Demonstrate commitment and loyalty to the School and the teaching profession through speech, punctuality, dress, attitude, and attention to duties
• Present a consistent, predictable and reliable demeanor to students
• Collaborate with staff, co-workers, and administration in a cooperative, professional atmosphere
• Accept constructive feedback to affect personal and professional growth
• Develop and maintain professional competence and continuous improvement through active participation in professional development activities and/or professional organizations
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and staff development activities, as required
• Comply with the policies in the Geneva School Employee Handbook
• Perform other duties as assigned

Essential Requirements

• A disciple of Jesus Christ and as such, one who models a love for God through obedience to His Word.  Such obedience is evidenced through convictions, lifestyle and worldview.
• A full and unreserved supporter of Geneva’s Beliefs including the School’s Statement of Faith and Statement on Identity, Sexuality and Gender.
• Experience as a mentor of students, comfortable in working with teenagers in a discipleship-oriented setting
• Hold Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
• An experienced choral instructor from an educational or ministerial setting for a period of time sufficient to develop and hone the basic skills of teaching and in order to learn if the profession meets their interest, ability and calling

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Fluent in reading music
• Proficient in at least one instrument, piano preferred
• Foundational understanding and fluency in music theory and music performance
• Adept in using music technology
• Proficient use of technology (i.e., Email, word processing, smart phone applications)

Required Abilities

• Exhibit consistent Christian maturity
• Exercise wisdom, diplomacy and integrity while maintaining professionalism
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Apply behavioral and academic standards justly with patience and consistency
• Demonstrate commitment to the well-being of others
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to students, families and fellow employees
• Take independent action where required and handle unique problems
• Prioritize tasks during a consistently high demand and deadline-sensitive school year
• Understand, interpret and apply Geneva School policies, procedures, and regulations affecting school operations and programs
• Make decisions in emergency situations with or without the input of the Fine Arts Director
• Meet job requirements which may extend beyond the school day and school calendar year

Preferred Experience and Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience with the philosophy of classical Christian education
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in music, choral performance/directing or its equivalent
• Five years music teaching experience in an educational setting
• Experience using Kodaly and choreography in music 6th - 12th grades
• Experience with FACTS (used for lesson plans, grade book, communications, etc.) and ParentSquare (used for general communications with students and parents)

Work Environment

• Classroom on open school campus

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Regular walking with ability to observe all students’ movements in the classroom, on the fields, and other campus locations
• Occasional lifting of 5 to 20 pounds
• Visual Acuity, Auditory and Speaking with or without/correction necessary to complete the essential job functions
• Ability to access other school classrooms and offices on campus
• Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting as needed for monitoring students and maintaining classroom
• Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.