Music Teacher - Primary School; K-3

The Primary School Music Teacher is responsible for providing engaging, developmentally appropriate, standards-based music instruction for students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This position promotes creativity, self-expression, collaboration, and appreciation for music while supporting students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. The teacher plays an important role in building positive relationships with students and fostering a safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive learning environment through consistent expectations, active engagement, and positive behavior supports.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Embrace and help grow the mission of Pleasant Valley which is to “engage, inspire, and empower each student towards academic excellence and citizenship”.
• Deliver engaging, standards-aligned music instruction for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
• Foster student creativity, self-expression, musical appreciation, teamwork, and confidence through developmentally appropriate music activities and instruction.
• Teach foundational music concepts including rhythm, melody, movement, singing, listening, and instrument use.
• Plan and implement lessons and activities that meet the needs of diverse learners and varying developmental levels.
• Differentiate instruction and activities to support students with IEPs, 504 plans, behavioral needs, and varying ability levels.
• Establish and maintain a safe, structured, inclusive, and positive learning environment.
• Teach, model, and reinforce appropriate behavior, participation, and classroom expectations during all instructional activities.
• Use positive behavior supports, restorative practices, and trauma-informed strategies to support student success and self-regulation.
• Observe, assess, and evaluate student participation, progress, and performance.
• Communicate regularly with students, families, administration, and staff regarding student progress and concerns as needed.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, special education staff, intervention staff, and administration to support student growth and achievement.
• Prepare students for performances, assemblies, concerts, or school events as assigned.
• Ensure the safety and proper use of musical instruments, instructional materials, and classroom equipment.
• Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, arrival, dismissal, assemblies, and other school settings as assigned.
• Participate in professional development, school improvement efforts, and district initiatives as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned by administration.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with appropriate Music endorsement.
• Must have a positive attitude and positive approach to meeting the needs of all students.
• Demonstrate strong classroom management using consistent expectations, positive behavior supports, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
• Ability to organize and safely manage large groups of students in active classroom settings.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, creativity, and strong communication skills.
• Organized and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively with students of varying academic, behavioral, developmental, and social-emotional needs.
• Demonstrates consistent attendance, reliability, and professionalism.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary
  
  Schedule:
  
  Determined by years of experience and total graduate semester hours. A teacher can increase their salary by moving down the salary schedule with more experience, by moving horizontally towards the advanced degree columns, or by doing both.
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and actively supervise students for extended periods of time.
• Ability to demonstrate musical activities and safely use classroom instruments and equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move instructional materials and equipment as needed.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to behavioral, medical, or safety situations.