• Position: Ten-month, part-time, salaried teacher with all applicable benefits
• Curriculum: Well-rounded, four-year, middle school Dance curriculum
• Student Load: Teach one grade level (approximately 20 students) per quarter
• Weekly Schedule: Teach three classes a week (about 3 hours total) plus planning time (about 1 hour total)
• Additional Duties: Other duties determined by the Head of School as needed
• Start Date: August 15, 2023

Mission and Values: Orchard House School educates and inspires middle school girls in a responsive, academically engaging community that fosters each girl’s intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, emotional integrity, and physical well-being.

Diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion are central to Orchard House’s mission. As part of our broader effort to ensure that our hiring process and our community reflect that mission, we are actively seeking candidates to help us build a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and views. All applicants should be enthusiastic about these principles and eager to carry them forward in their curricular and relational work.

Reports to: Head of School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Responsibilities (Dance):

• Envision, design in detail, develop, and execute a four-year, well-rounded, middle school (grades 5-8) Dance program
• Support the philosophy and objectives of the Arts program and the mission of the school
• Promote and instill an appreciation of dance forms and choreographers, creative movement process, exercises that promote strength and flexibility, proper and safe dance techniques and movements, and dance terminology
• Challenge students through lessons, projects, and performances
• Create opportunities for growth in self-confidence and promote a positive body image
• Encourage reflection, constructive criticism, creativity, and improvisation
• Allow students to explore dance and movement in both collaborative and independent settings
• Require students to learn extended dance combinations
• Incorporate and explore music, movies/documentaries, websites, works of art, and a range of props and accessories in dance classes

Job Description (Dance): 

The Dance teacher is responsible for the following essential duties:

1. Teaching one grade level per quarter (approximately 20 students)
2. Using teaching techniques (explanation and demonstration) that support the mission and philosophy of the school
3. Establishing a learning environment that inspires learning
4. Attending faculty and departmental meetings
5. Communicating with parents through conferences and other means
6. Completing student reports and evaluations in a timely and mission-consistent manner
7. Following personnel policies as described in the Employee Handbook and supporting student behaviors as described in the Family Handbook
8. Participating fully in the life of the school in terms of academics (providing high-quality instruction to students), professionalism (continually focusing on professional growth and renewal), and culture (engaging in collegial activities and supporting all members of the school community)

Essential Skills:

1. Bachelor’s Degree (required) with Dance as a major; Master’s Degree (preferred); Endorsement in Dance is optional
2. A minimum of two years of teaching experience preferred
3. Experience in a school environment
4. Knowledge of middle school girls’ education
5. Strong communication and organizational skills
6. Strong instructional planning and preparation skills; ability to evaluate all students’ progress consistently and effectively
7. Ability to teach in a manner that supports different learning styles
8. Ability to hold students to high but not necessarily uniform standards
9. Completes all reports and communicates with parents, faculty, and the administration in a timely manner
10. Willingness and ability to assess student work in multiple ways and in a timely manner
11. Ability to incorporate technology in the classroom
12. Ability and willingness to incorporate interdisciplinary learning
13. Flexibility; commitment to refining familiar teaching strategies and to exploring and developing new teaching strategies
14. Commitment to active learning and hands-on experiences that maximize student engagement and group work
15. Strong orientation towards personal/professional growth and success
16. Strong orientation towards teamwork, institutional success, and community success
17. Passion for teaching and for working with middle school students

Work Environment:

• Classroom (in-person)
• Other (field trips)

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree (required) with Dance as a major; Master’s Degree (preferred); Endorsement in Dance is optional
2. A minimum of two years of teaching experience preferred