Vocal Music Teacher (middle & high school) and Director/Music Director of HS Musical

Northwest Academy is seeking a Vocal Music teacher for middle & high school who will also be the Director /Music Director of the high school musical for the 2026-27 school year and beyond.

About Northwest Academy:

Northwest Academy is an independent middle and high school located in downtown Portland. We offer our community of learners a progressive, arts-integrated, and place-based curriculum that is student-centered, rich with rigor, creativity and self-expression, and civically and culturally relevant. We value an inclusive, caring culture that supports and challenges all students appropriately; that is guided by their unique developmental needs and challenges; that develops their curiosity, responsibility, and resilience; and celebrates their burgeoning independence and individuality.

Benefits And Advantages of Becoming an Educator with Our Community:

Northwest Academy encourages and supports our educators in having a meaningful work and life balance. Teachers enjoy a low student-to-teacher ratio, have approximately 4 out of 9 classes for prep time scheduled per week, and take part in an inclusive and collaborative community of colleagues, staff, and administrators.

Employees receive several different medical plans to choose from, a dental and vision plan, identity theft protection, a non-matching 403b retirement option is available immediately upon hire along with a 3% matching 403b account after working 1200 hours. Northwest Academy also offers opportunities for Creative Production Grants to support individual artistic endeavors.

Position Details:

The Vocal Music Teacher and Director/Music Director of the high school musical teaches:

• two daytime middle school courses (Vocal Music Foundations and Vocal Music Explorations)
• two daytime high school courses (Vocal Music and Advanced Vocal Music)

Each course has three, 65 min. class meetings per week.

Additional responsibilities include serving as the Director and Music Director of the high school musical in the Arts After Hours program.

Qualified candidates will have extensive experience in vocal music direction and teaching music theory at the middle and high School levels, as well as experience in teaching using safe, progressive practices to students with developing, changing voices. Candidates should have a desire to become part of a close-knit community in downtown Portland with interest in contributing to the school outside of scheduled class times.

The Vocal Music Teacher and Director/Music Director will model exemplary musicianship and instructional practices, create a nurturing learning environment, and maintain clear and organized communications with other faculty, students, families, and administration.

Full-time equiv.:           1.0

Position Title:                 Vocal Music Teacher & Director/Music Director

Department:                    Performing Arts

Reports To:                       Deans of Studies

Responsibilities:

• Teach students to sing with well-formed vowels and a clear, free, focused, in-tune sound while demonstrating understanding of differences of instruction among various types of learners
• Conduct rehearsals and performances using music of high quality that varies in style and genre
• Develop a scope and sequence that is appropriate to developmental milestones and capabilities of students, including music theory and vocal health and safety
• Create a safe and respectful classroom community by encouraging positive classroom behavior for an optimal learning environment
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities such as any field trips or site visits as related to the job, such as performances as part of community service and outreach
• Collaborate with other faculty to create smooth running music and theatrical productions. This includes the Director, Technical Director, Choreographer, and Light and Sound Designer of the High School musical
• Organize best use of time with provided accompanist, if applicable, and ensure communication and dissemination of music and schedules they may need
• Teach all classes as assigned—providing effective and inclusive classroom instruction and management through evidenced-backed practices such as positive discipline or culturally sensitive pedagogy
• If unavailable for a class, communicate clearly with the school to make adequate substitute plans
• Design and implement high-quality curriculum consistent with the school’s mission and values (progressive, arts-integrated, and place-based) and with standards established with the department’s program through collaboration with colleagues
• Differentiate and accommodate within the classroom to meet the needs of all students, as well as provide additional out-of-class instruction and/or resources when necessary for remedial or accelerated work
• Provide students with formative assessments and feedback in a timely manner with a focus on student learning and growth—as well as on developing students’ growth mindsets
• Have positive, supportive, and appropriate interactions with all students and effectively supervise them to promote a safe and healthy school environment
• Complete in a timely and professional manner required reports and forms—including grades, disciplinary matters, and health and safety issues—with a focus on fairness, equity, inclusion, honesty, and transparency
• Communicate professionally and maintain collaborative relationships with students and families, colleagues, and external stakeholders (tutors, colleges, community partners) to the benefit of students and the school
• Exhibit a growth mindset about teaching practices and work toward professional goals and development
• Actively participate in the following in-school activities: faculty and staff meetings (in-service and professional development, division meetings, department meetings, grade-level meetings, professional learning communities), student life (advisory, clubs, lunch events, dances, retreats), and additional academic enhancements (office hours, field trips, student conferences, mentoring student projects, college recommendations)
• Be available for substitute teaching during designated time periods
• Positively represent the school at community or public events, including: Board/faculty events, Back-to-School Night, Open Houses and other faculty/parent events, and chaperoning overnight class trips/retreats and/or evening/weekend student events
• Uphold all school policies, regulations, and expectations
• Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned in support of the work of the administrative/leadership team, the Head of School, and the Board of Trustees

Other Job Functions:

• This position requires non-daytime hours for performances and after-school rehearsals
• Usually conducts at least 6–8 concerts or shows per year
• Participate in various meetings (e.g. conferences, in-service training, retreats, Back-to-School Night etc.)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Music Education and/or significant professional teaching experience
• Basic piano playing skills as an accompanist is a plus

Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

• Working knowledge of the voice for Middle School and High School singers
• Conduct music accurately and expressively with self-confidence
• Sing unself-consciously to illustrate and to demonstrate correct technique, pronunciation, and style

Physical Demands:

Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally. The school is spread out across five buildings, covering multiple blocks in downtown Portland, so teachers may have to move between buildings during five-minute passing periods or attend meetings around campus. The school does not provide parking for staff members, so metered street or lot parking may be needed.

Interested candidates can find instructions for applying for this position on the Careers at Northwest Academy and reply to Careers@nwacademy.org.

Northwest Academy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to welcoming and celebrating a diverse student and faculty population. We believe every employee has the right to work in an environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is the policy of the school that employment decisions for all applicants and employees will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other characteristics protected under local, state, or federal law. No employee will be retaliated against for raising concerns under this policy. We seek each employee’s contribution and assistance in helping us maintain equal employment opportunity.

About Northwest Academy

Northwest Academy is an accredited co-ed college preparatory day school located in Portland’s downtown cultural district. After three years of research and preparation, Northwest Academy offered its first elective programs in Visual, Performing, and Media Arts in 1996. The high school opened in 1997, and the middle school opened in 2002. The school now provides over 210 students in grades 6 through 12 with a rich combination of academic and arts curricula.

Connections working at Northwest Academy