Upper School Dance Teacher; SY

Position Description (What you will do):

The Hockaday Fine Arts department embraces all creative expression, styles, and practices. Classes are hands‑on, experience‑based, and student‑centered. Through the Performing Arts and Visual Arts, Hockaday students discover and develop personal voice as they make, direct, choreograph, and curate individually and in collaboration with their peers and mentors.

This position will teach dance classes to students in the Upper School, as well as provide Hockaday students with leading edge expertise in dance by teaching technique classes and preparing them for productions and performances. Opportunities to teach additional courses in the area of the person’s expertise/interest may also be available depending on departmental needs.

Qualified candidates will possess a mastery of subject, pedagogical versatility, and commitment to students. Passionate about dance, they model the joy of learning, and they embrace professional development opportunities as they seek the best for those students and for themselves. In addition to teaching and co‑leading an advisory, the faculty member will sponsor clubs as needed and be available for student extracurricular activities.

• Teach 4 sections of Upper School Dance. Each section meets for 85 minutes three times per 7‑day rotation
• Serve as a co‑advisor to a group of Upper School students
• Teach various dance styles for beginner to advanced level classes in Middle and Upper School
• Produce a fall and spring performance for Upper School students enrolled in dance
• Co‑choreograph and assist in production of annual 8th Grade musical for approximately 80‑95 students
• Co‑choreograph and assist in production of annual Upper School musical for approximately 40‑55 cast members. Rehearsals take place after school hours during the winter
• Support participation in off‑campus dance festivals, performances, and ISAS Fine Arts Festival
• Organize field trips and outings to engage students in dance experiences outside the classroom
• Assist in recruiting guest artists for master classes and choreography residency
• Develop and execute engaging lesson plans creating an environment which allows students to think critically and independently
• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students
• Partner closely with colleagues to align curriculum, share insights, and design engaging lessons through team meetings, division meetings, and department meetings
• Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and parents
• Contribute to the life of the Upper School including participating in all assigned duties, chaperoning, and engaging in professional development

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in Dance is preferred
• Successful teaching experience in Dance with middle and high school age students
• Advanced knowledge of dance instruction and curriculum
• Experience in teaching choreography, dance history, composition, and various dance styles such as ballet, contemporary and jazz are required
• Experience developing curriculum is preferred
• Experience and interest in developing innovative uses of technology in the classroom as well as comfort with its administrative use
• An interest in serving as a club sponsor and/or athletics coach
• A genuine appreciation of middle and high school age children, solid knowledge of the milestones of their development, and understanding of appropriate classroom management techniques
• Commitment to being a supportive, respectful, and energetic colleague and mentor
• The ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School‑required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks

• You’ll join a mission‑driven, joyful community that believes deeply in the limitless potential of girls
• We are a community grounded in the Hockaday Cornerstones—Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics—and you’ll bring these values to life in your daily work
• We are…