2025-26 Elementary and Head Middle School Orchestra Director - 1.0 FTE at Whittier Middle School and Elementary TBD

We want YOU here!

Join the Sioux Falls School District Fine Arts team and inspire a lifelong love of the arts! Through engaging, enriching, and empowering experiences, we help students develop their creativity, confidence, and artistic skills. Whether creating, performing, responding, or connecting, our educators foster meaningful artistic growth that lasts a lifetime. If you're passionate about the arts and making an impact, we'd love to have you on our team!

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION LEVEL:

Bachelor's degree and endorsements in the areas of teaching assignment. Certification, alternative certification or licensure: current, valid South Dakota teaching certificate.

EXPERIENCE DESIRED:

Middle school orchestra student teaching/teaching or elementary strings

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires constant hand-eye and mind-eye coordination, hearing; intermittent repetitive motions with the wrists, hands and fingers, sitting, walking, talking, and keyboarding. The position requires frequent lifting, bending, stooping, pulling, speaking, turning, grasping and carrying.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Proficiency in string and keyboard instruments. Strong organization, communication, and interdisciplinary skills. Demonstrated ability to follow Board policy.

CERTIFICATION

This position requires a valid South Dakota teaching certification with one of the following endorsements: Elementary Music Education OR K-12 Instrumental Music Education.

Please note, endorsement requirements may vary based on specific course assignments.

Questions about SD teaching certification:South Dakota Department of Education

Interested in becoming a contract teacher but don't hold a traditional teaching degree?

The South Dakota Department of Education offers an Alternative Certification program! Individuals will take 15-credits plus praxis exams while they perform their duties as a contract teacher for a South Dakota school district. Alternative Certification is available for most positions 5th grade through high school. Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree, unless pursuing a CTE Instructor position.

If you are interested in pursuing a teaching position under Alternative Certification, you MUST obtain your Alternative Preliminary Certificate BEFORE applying for teaching position. You can apply for the preliminary certificate by completing the 'Initial Educator Application' here: SD Educator Portal

Learn more about Alternative Certification: SD DOE Alternative Certification

YOUTH SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING

South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-71 requires certified educators to complete at least one hour of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training every five years. Compliance is verified through district accreditation reviews. You will be required to provide your most recent certificate of completion prior to starting employment with the Sioux Falls School District.

Visit https://doe.sd.gov/suicideprevention/ to view the list of approved trainings and detailed instructions for completion. These trainings listed are the only accepted trainings per SDCL 13-42-71. Please carefully review the options before selecting a training as unapproved trainings will require you to retake an approved course.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

Orchestra Director

1. Prepares two major concerts per orchestral group each year and up to six ensemble concerts per year.
2. Organizes and coordinates an area elementary/middle school festival.
3. Prepares students for participation in string contest.
4. Prepares students for participation in other school sponsored performances.
5. Supervises and maintains the building string ensemble music library and contributes to the maintenance of the district library.
6. Rehearses orchestra sectionals, symphony orchestra and individual/small group instruction.
7. Rehearses string ensemble twice a week for a minimum of 80 minutes.
8. Works closely with the band directors on the scheduling of rehearsals and performances of wind players.
9. Organizes the use of guest clinicians/soloists/conductors.
10. Maintains a current inventory of orchestra instruments including the name/address/phone/parents of user.
11. Meets with the Fine Arts Coordinator on curriculum, calendar, schedules, equipment, maintenance, music library and district budget needs.
12. Works with the other members of the department to coordinate all activities of the orchestra department.
13. Organizes a tour to the area elementary schools.
14. Organizes parent appreciation and student recruitment activities.
15. Coordinates rehearsal/performance room usage with the other music directors and the Fine Arts Department Chair.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

View the complete job description here: Middle School Orchestra Director

Classroom Teacher

1. Ability to Plan and Prepare Instructional Tasks

• Plan instructional tasks that are meaningful and related to learning goals

2. Provide Instruction to Students

• Implement District curriculum
• Maintain a strong instructional focus utilizing the elements of effective instruction
• Communicate a high level of expectation
• Communicate clear learning goals to students
• Adapt instruction to meet the needs of all students
• Address various learning styles
• Sequence content at an appropriate pace
• Use appropriate level of questioning to promote understanding
• Relate lesson content to prior and future learning
• Require students to summarize information in written and/or verbal form
• Appropriately recognize and reinforce individual student effort
• Represent knowledge/information non-linguistically through a variety of methods
• Organize students in cooperative or ability groups when appropriate
• Require students to analyze and apply knowledge
• Display enjoyment, humor, and enthusiasm for teaching and expect students to enjoy learning
• Conduct ongoing assessments for learning

3. Provide Effective Classroom Environment

• Establish appropriate classroom rules and procedures that are clearly understood by all students
• Effectively and consistently enforce rules and follow procedures
• Redirect students naturally and immediately without disrupting others
• Be well-organized and have all materials, equipment, etc., ready for immediate use
• Carry out smooth and effective transitions (e.g., from one activity to another, as students enter and leave the room)
• Maximize time on purposeful instructional tasks
• Begin and end class period with focus on learning
• Establish a positive learning environment

4. Participate in Professional Growth Opportunities and Demonstrate Professionalism

• Participate in ongoing professional growth
• Participate in school/professional and/or community organizations or events
• Complete routine assigned tasks and comply with District requirements
• Promote the education profession
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, parents and students
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences in accordance with District policy

5. Follow District and building policies and procedures

6. Support of District goals

7. Report student progress to parents and students

8. Perform other duties as assigned

View the complete job description here: Classroom Teacher - General Education

PAY INFORMATION

Starting at $52,233 to $58,823 per year, based on experience Extra Duty/Extra Pay

View the complete salary schedule here: 2024-2025 Teacher Salary Schedule

Extra Duty/Extra Pay Salary Schedule coming soon!

Please note, this is based on the 2024-2025 salary schedule. 2025-26 salary schedule coming soon!

Pay Day: Last working day of each month.

HOURS & FTE

Monday through Friday, 7:45 am to 4:15 pm

1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week, 9 months

CALENDAR
2024-2025 New SFEA Staff Calendar

2025-2026 calendar coming soon!

Estimated Start: August 2025

BENEFIT INFORMATION
Benefits (only for positions 20 hours per week or more)

CURRENT DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

All current District employees interested in applying must complete an application.

Post-Offer Criminal Background Check Required
Relay Services for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial 711, then the desired number

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Salary : $52,233 - $58,823