Job Description - General Music Teacher ECE-8
Full-Time from August 4, 2025 - June 2, 2026
Become a Music Teacher with Education Through Music-Colorado (ETM-CO)
ETM-CO is currently seeking a full-time General Music Teacher to join a thriving nonprofit to provide direct music instruction to students in an under-resourced school in Denver, CO.
About Education Through Music-Colorado
Our mission is to partner with under-resourced schools to provide music as a core subject for all children, and utilize music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence. ETM-CO believes that every child deserves access to high-quality music education, taught by qualified and well-trained music teachers.
The music teacher is an integral part of this partnership between ETM-CO and the school. The music teacher implements the ETM-CO mission in the classroom as well as participates in the school’s community. We strive to create sustainable music programs. Once we have laid the foundation for a strong music program, we expect that the music teacher will be hired by the school.
Each music teacher’s program is designed in consultation with Education Through Music’s program staff and based on Colorado Academic Standards for music. Since each program and student population is unique, it is the teacher’s role to design and implement a standards-based curriculum, and they are supported in this endeavor by the ETM-CO Instructional Supervisor (mentor). Lesson planning is required and will be reviewed on a regular basis. We provide all ETM-CO Music Teachers with ongoing professional development, training, and mentoring. Full-time unlicensed employees may apply for tuition reimbursement to pursue alternative licensure.
All ETM-CO Employees are expected to do the following when performing their respective jobs:
- Represent the organization in a professional manner, with fidelity while supporting the mission, vision and values of the organization
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision
- Interact professionally with other employees, vendors and school stakeholders
- Work effectively as a team contributor on assignments
- Work independently while understanding the necessity for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees, vendors and school stakeholders
Job Responsibilities Include:
- Teaching a standards-based music curriculum to students in ways that are relevant and appropriately rigorous
- Engaging diverse learners
- Envisioning and rebuilding a music program for the school and students
- Full-time: Planning and producing two concerts/performances each year for each student.
- Supporting the school’s model and vision for arts education. This might include arts infusion, student performances for community events, and after-school programs.
- Engaging in a regular process of lesson planning, feedback, revision, and goal-setting
- Participate in school and district-led meetings, trainings, duties, events, and other tasks
- Collaborating with ETM-CO staff, school administrators, colleagues, and parents
- Participating in marketing and development initiatives as directed by ETM-CO, that may include: submitting exemplary student work, sharing stories/anecdotes, donor observations, directing students in performances outside of school
Job Requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree is required. Applicants who possess a BA or Master’s Degree in Music, Music Education or Fine Arts are given priority*
- Previous classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred
- Proficiency in musical literacy and performance on voice/instrument
- Sufficient music content knowledge in order to pass the Colorado PRAXIS music proficiency exam
*ETM-CO welcomes musically proficient applicants who hold or are pursuing certification, and seeks placements to support the career advancement of our teachers. Non-licensed teachers without a music degree will be asked to demonstrate proficiency with a score of 161 or higher on the PRAXIS 5113 test.
Essential Functions:
- Training and/or experience with relevant pedagogical approaches or tools, such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, Dalcroze, Music Learning Theory, Modern Band, Jazz, Technology, Recording, Band instruments, String instruments, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Classroom instruments.
- Excellent musicianship and musical literacy, and ability to teach group voice, guitar, ukulele, piano, and classroom instruments.
- Capacity to facilitate safe, responsive, and rigorous musical learning for groups of students.
- Excellent professional communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate with parents, students, and staff.
- Proficiency with lesson planning tools, including but not limited to Google Drive, Google Docs, Pages/Word.
- Comfort with learning or using technology to benefit student learning.
Commitment to Equity:
- Reflect on and confront biases
- Engage in learning, conversations, and actionable practices to promote: anti-racism, social justice, equity, and decolonizing the music curriculum
- Demonstrate experience in and/or commitment to Culturally Responsive Pedagogies, Trauma-informed practices, Adaptive practices, and Universal Design for Learning
- Cultivate an empowering, safe classroom environment that supports students’ social-emotional needs and a high standard of musical learning
- Build relationships with students and parents/guardians, inviting them as partners in their music education
- Demonstrate initiative for professional growth by: seeking feedback, engaging in coaching, collaborating with colleagues, participating in professional development opportunities, contributing to the field of music education
Finalists will be asked to teach a lesson geared toward the students and content of the desired position.
Note:
- Prior to receiving an official offer, finalists will be asked to immediately undergo a fingerprinting and background check with the FBI and CBI and have those directly sent to ETM-CO. Only those with a clear background check are eligible for hire by ETM-CO
Job Type: Full Time from August 4, 2025 - June 2, 2026
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday, following the School’s teaching day
- Follow the 25-26 Calendar for Denver Public Schools
- Professional development outside of teaching hours
- Extracurricular ensembles are optional, a stipend is provided
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
- Musicianship and Musical Literacy (Required)
Experience:
- Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
- Lesson planning: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
- Spanish (Preferred)
- English (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- Denver, CO 80239: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
