Woodlands Academy is seeking a full-time music teacher for the 2023-2024 academic year. The music teacher is a committed educator who will challenge students to perform at their best, while engaging them to enjoy their musical talents. Dedication to an independent school setting is a must. Woodlands Academy believes that a multicultural perspective is an essential element of education and values diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff.
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is one of 25 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada. Sacred Heart education at Woodlands Academy is distinctive and emphasizes best practices for the education of girls and innovative practices for academic excellence. Established in 1858, the school forms global citizens and transforms young women through a dynamic of relationships that responds to the dignity of each member of the school community.
The teacher will report to the Principal and will join a highly collaborative, innovative, and experienced faculty.
Responsibilities include:
Maintain Woodlands’ award-winning high school music program by leading choirs and instructing three credit courses including AP Music Theory
Serve as musical director for musical theatre production and serve as an accompanist in various capacities
Direct a repertoire of age-appropriate and challenging music, allowing students to engage in active music making while acquiring the skills necessary for performance
Advising approximately 8 -10 girls (academic counseling, community building, parent communication, conferencing.);
Engage in the life of the school (presence at assemblies, meeting, events, etc.)
Support, implement, and model the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart Schools
Demonstrate appropriate planning and preparation for instruction and assessment
Develop and maintain a classroom atmosphere that inspires learning
Motivate students to develop an interest in and an appreciation for the art of music
Develop knowledge, skills, and talents of students in the field of music, including sight-singing, score reading, vocal production, harmonization, and diction skills
Uphold professional standards of personal presentation, discretion, punctuality, and clear, direct, open communication
Write college letters of recommendation for students when appropriate
Participate in school-wide, departmental, and mentor team meetings
Bachelor’s degree in music education or a related subject matter; master’s degree is preferred
Minimum two years’ choral experience with high school students, preferably in a single-gender setting
Experience teaching vocal performance is preferred
A familiarity and competence in music technology skills; should be proficient with current educational technology and willing to develop skills in technology areas as needed
Able to be flexible, helpful, patient, and creative
A sound knowledge of current pedagogical theory and practice, and eagerness to continue learning
The ability to develop and implement an effective and engaging curriculum as a highly competent teacher
Knowledge of adolescent development and effective classroom practice for the high school classroom
The ability to build positive relationships with high school students and be a powerful student mentor
The ability to draw people in for collaboration, curriculum development, and problem solving and be a trusted and sought-after colleague
A high-level of familiarity and competence across cultures and multiple perspectives
A genuine understanding or willingness to learn/understand the culture, community, and the demands students feel on a daily basis
The ability to differentiate classroom instruction for students with varied learning styles or specific learning challenges
Superb communication skills, including excellent verbal/written skills, in order to collaborate with Student Support Team, parents, students, and faculty
Strong people skills in order to be empathetic to the needs of the students and their parents
A willingness to be an active, enthusiastic member of the WA community
Successful completion of criminal and sexual offender registry background checks
Why you should join our community:
Make an impact on the lives of young women as a member of an enthusiastic and encouraging community of educators
Thrive in a creative domain while pursuing professional passions in an environment committed to lifelong learning
Engage in meaningful work in a secure workforce with colleagues who lift each other up
Experience work-life balance in a compassionate workplace strengthened by generous time-off
Woodlands Academy offers generous health/dental/vision plans, group life and long-term disability, voluntary life, and voluntary short-term disability plans, 403(b) with 5% contribution of annual salary, and flexible spending accounts (benefits for full-time employees working 30+ hours per week only), tuition remission
Special holiday breaks, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Break
Opportunities to volunteer
How to apply:
Please complete the application materials on our Employment page here. All applicants must apply with a cover letter, resume, and Personal Reflection on the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. We also strongly suggest applicants submit three written references.
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls, Catholic, college preparatory day and boarding school in Lake Forest, IL. Visit the school’s website at www.woodlandsacademy.org and the website of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools at www.sacredheartusc.education to learn more.
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Woodlands does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religion*, marital status, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, veteran status, or being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or other characteristics or statues in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
*The School reserves the right to use religion as a hiring criterion for selected positions and nature of a school as a faith-based institution as permitted by law.
