Cello Instructor Merit School of Music

DESCRIPTION

Merit School of Music seeks a part-time Cello Instructor to teach group cello classes through our Merit Music in Communities (MMIC) program at James Ward Elementary School and Nobel Elementary School in Chicago, and across Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201-U in Crete-Monee, Illinois.

The instructor will work in one or more of these settings. At James Ward, they will lead two groups of 4 to 10 cello students in an after-school program. At Nobel, they will lead three groups of 4 to 10 students, both during the school day and after school. At Crete-Monee, they will co‑teach two 60‑minute group classes at each of five elementary schools alongside a violin instructor during the school day, for 10 hours per week total.

In all three settings, students receive weekly group instruction and can progress through Merit’s full continuum of instruction as they advance at their site. Merit may offer additional teaching opportunities in the future.

Merit School of Music is a nationally accredited community music school headquartered in Chicago’s West Loop, with additional branches in Chicago’s Old Town and South Shore neighborhoods. Merit’s primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and grow through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 45 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has served as a springboard for them to achieve their full musical and personal potential.

Our 125+ passionate, experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging 2,500 to 3,000 students annually through programming at three branches and in 25+ schools and community centers across the Chicago region.

Merit students, who reflect Chicago’s socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and equips young people with the tools they need to excel in life; virtually 100 percent of Merit graduates attend conservatories or colleges, with 50 percent choosing to study music at the postsecondary level.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. At the same time, Merit strives to be an organization that genuinely reflects Chicago’s richly diverse community. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti‑racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

The Cello Instructor reports to the Strings and Orchestras Program Director.

Responsibilities of the Cello Instructor include, but are not limited to:

Teaching and Instruction – 85%

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in a group class setting, commensurate with Merit’s curricula, teaching philosophy, mission, and values.
• Communicate with on‑site Merit Strings and Orchestras Program faculty to coordinate instruction, support student development, and determine individual student needs and goals.
• Provide Merit staff with assessments and student recommendations for additional Merit programming.
• Support students in progressing through Merit’s continuum of instruction.

Administrative Duties – 15%

• Complete student attendance records.
• Correspond with Merit staff, school administration, and students/families in a timely fashion.
• Attend Merit faculty meetings and/or department meetings as scheduled.
• Other projects as assigned.

Must-Have Characteristics

• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent experience and training.
• Proven success teaching elementary through middle…