High School Orchestra Teacher- Part Time (0.4 FTE)

Description

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is seeking a part-time orchestra teacher for the 2025-2026 academic year. The orchestra teacher is a committed educator who will challenge students to perform at their best while engaging them to enjoy their musical talents. Dedication to the independent school setting is a must. Woodlands Academy believes that a multicultural perspective is an essential element of education and values diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff.

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is one of 25 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada. Sacred Heart education at Woodlands Academy is distinctive and emphasizes best practices for the education of girls and innovative practices for academic excellence. Established in 1858, the school forms global citizens and transforms young women through a dynamic of relationships that responds to the dignity of each member of the school community.

The teacher will report to the Associate Head of School for Academics and will join a highly collaborative, innovative, and experienced faculty. 

Responsibilities include: 

· Maintain Woodlands’ award-winning high school orchestra program by teaching class at 7:15am -7:55am daily and serving as its director

· Develop knowledge, skills, and talents of students in the field of music

· Direct a repertoire of age-appropriate and challenging music, allowing students to engage in active music-making while acquiring the skills necessary for performance 

· Select and arrange music to match the ability and instruments in the orchestra

· Assist the Music Director in arranging travel and accompanying students to a yearly national competition 

· Collaborate with other Fine Arts faculty to host several events/performances showcasing student work

· Support, implement, and model the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart Schools

· Demonstrate appropriate planning and preparation for instruction and assessment

· Develop and maintain a classroom atmosphere that inspires learning

· Motivate students to develop an interest in and an appreciation for the art of music 

· Uphold professional standards of personal presentation, discretion, punctuality, and clear, direct, open communication

· Engage in the life of the school (presence at assemblies, meetings, events, etc.) 

· Participate in school-wide, departmental, and mentor team meetings

· Perform all other duties, as assigned

Requirements

· Bachelor’s degree in music education or a related subject matter; master’s degree preferred

· Minimum two years’ orchestra experience with high school students, preferably in a single-gender setting

· Experience teaching instrumental music and serving as orchestra director

· Able to be flexible, helpful, patient, and creative

· Sound knowledge of current pedagogical theory and practice, and eagerness to continue learning

· The ability to develop and implement an effective and engaging curriculum as a highly competent teacher

· Knowledge of adolescent development and effective classroom practice for the high school classroom

· The ability to build positive relationships with high school students and their parents and be a powerful student mentor 

· The ability to draw people in for collaboration, curriculum development, and problem-solving and be a trusted and sought-after colleague 

· A high level of familiarity and competence across cultures and multiple perspectives

· A genuine understanding or willingness to learn/understand the culture, community, and the demands students feel on a daily basis

· The ability to differentiate classroom instruction for students with varied learning styles or specific learning challenges

· Familiarity and competence in music technology skills; should be proficient with current educational technology and willing to develop these skills further as needed

· Superb communication skills, including excellent verbal/written skills, in order to collaborate with Student Support Team, parents, students, and faculty

· Strong people skills in order to be empathetic to the needs of the students and their parents

· A willingness to be an active, enthusiastic member of the WA community

· Upon employment: completion of Virtus: Protecting God’s Children and other required trainings,  and successful completion of criminal offender record information and sexual offender registry information checks

How to apply:

Please complete the application materials listed on the Employment web page of the school’s website at https://www.woodlandsacademy.org/about/employment. All applicants must submit an application, cover letter, resume, and Personal Reflection on the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. 

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls, Catholic, college preparatory day and boarding school in Lake Forest, IL.  Visit the school’s website at www.woodlandsacademy.org and the website of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools at www.sacredheartusc.edu to learn more. 

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion*, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, status a veteran or being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, or any other classification under state of federal law. 

*The School reserves the right to use religion as a hiring criterion for selected positions and nature of a school as a faith-based institution as permitted by law.