MS Jazz Band Director

Position / Title: Middle School Jazz Band Director
Bargaining Unit:   ETA	Department/Location: MS Activities
Calendar Days: N/A	Reports To: Building Administrator/Assistant Athletic/Activities Director
JD Revision Date: 04/15/2024	Supervises: N/A

 
Function / Position Summary
To build and maintain a middle school jazz band program, focusing on best-practice, student-focused instruction to provide supplemental music education opportunities for students and foundational knowledge and experience in the genre of jazz music.
 
Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Implement researched-based instructional strategies that engage all students, differentiating to accommodate a range of ability levels, and acknowledging a variety of cultural backgrounds in order to support student learning and growth.
• Seek administrative counsel regarding budgets and spending procedures.
• Communicate effectively with parents, students, administrators, teacher colleagues, and community leaders.
• Maintain high expectations for student achievement and behavior and motivate students to work to their highest potential.
• Demonstrate prompt and regular attendance.
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Cultivate a positive, harassment free, instructional culture which motivates students through the use of effective communication and constructive feedback.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Apply and enforce student discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, appropriate student handbook, and band syllabus/handbook conduct regulations.
• 18 hours of before- or after-school rehearsals
• 2 school-based performances and/or district or regional festivals
• Supervise students before and after events and while waiting for rides.
• Manage Finances and Administrative Paperwork for the Organization.

 
Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, emphasis in Instrumental-Band preferred
• Illinois Professional Educators License with K-12 music endorsement preferred

-OR-

• Comparable coursework and/or previous experience teaching jazz band

Experience / Knowledge

• Strong musical skills required.
• Previous experience teaching jazz band preferred.
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback, and to conduct conferences as needed with parents, students, administrators, or other teachers.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints.
• Display courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships; demonstrate a commitment to teamwork.
• Ability and willingness to learn and refresh job skills through professional development in order to meet the changing needs of this position.
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent unscheduled interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism.
• Spanish language skills preferred.
• 3-5 years of comparable experience preferred.

 
Physical Demands

• Must be physically able to maintain the demands of a middle school jazz band program (i.e. performances, equipment moves, etc.).
• Occasionally requires working in warm temperatures, including under stage lights.
• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, or carry heavy materials or equipment, including chairs, music stands, keyboards, and other related equipment.
• Must work in noisy and crowded environments.
• Public contact requiring appropriate business-like apparel.

 
Terms of Employment

• This is an Appendix F stipend position in accordance with the school year calendar.
• For Non-ETA Coaches/Sponsors: this position is for this year only.
• Terms of employment will be determined in collaboration with the middle school principal and/or the middle school assistant athletic/activity director.
• Stipend Position