Preschool/Lower School Music Teacher
4 days ago
Saint Louis
Job Description Summary The PreSchool/Lower School Music Teacher purposefully plans and provides fun and engaging music lessons for the Preschool – 5th grade general music program, which develops effective musical skills and instills an appreciation of music. This position requires the ability to teach general music and children’s choir. This position works collaboratively with other music teachers. Who We Are At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning. Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. Primary Responsibilities • Plans fun, engaging, age-appropriate music experiences that include singing, movement, and the use of rhythmic instruments, • Familiar with Kodaly and Orff instructional methods, • Incorporates effective classroom management strategies, including holding students to right actions in a caring, loving and supportive manner, • Partners willingly with colleagues and parents; communicates regularly through newsletters, reports, conferences, and meetings, where appropriate, • Plans and produces all preschool through grade 5 concerts and musical performances, including additional rehearsals for concerts: Sugar Plum, Christmas Sharing, Grandparents’ Day, Spring Concerts, and any other musical performance opportunities as directed by the Preschool and Lower School Principal, • Directs the after-school Principia Children’s Choir, • Incorporates technology into the program, where appropriate, • Actively collaborates with colleagues across levels and departments to support the implementation of school-wide initiatives, • Actively participates in various committee meetings, faculty and parent meetings, and professional development, • Engages in the Portfolio of Teaching process Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia: • Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development., • Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes., • Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals., • Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes., • Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results., • Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders., • Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment., • Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations., • Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect., • Student of Christian Science preferred, • Bachelor’s degree in Music Education or elementary education with a music focus, • Music teaching experience required, • Piano background preferred, • Model the character traits that Principia students are expected to embody We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position, starting at $35,062 annually for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience. In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: • Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded)., • Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles., • Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support., • Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. Equal Opportunity Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.