Job Title: St. Joseph Montessori School Music Specialist /Band Director
Location: 933 Hamlet St., Columbus, OH 43201
Job Status: Full Time
Reports to: Head of School
St. Joseph Montessori School (SJMS) was established in 1968 as a preschool preparation program for St. Joseph Academy, operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Academy consisted of grades one through twelve. Recognizing the value of the Montessori approach to education, parents requested and were granted the extension of the program into the elementary school.
Although declining enrollment forced the closing of the 100-year-old high school in 1977, a cooperative effort between the Sisters and the parent body resulted in the transition of SJMS into a private Pre-K-8 Diocesan Montessori school with nonprofit status and an elected parent Board of Trustees.
In 2021, SJMS opened its first Toddler program, accepting students as young as 18 months of age. In 2023, St. Joseph Montessori School became the first American Montessori Society Accredited Montessori School in Central Ohio and is 1 of 222 AMS accredited schools worldwide.
We offer an alternative educational program to families in Central Ohio, serving families from 44 different zip codes. Our school is located in a vibrant and historic residential neighborhood minutes from Downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University. We have made many additions to the school, such as adding a new library, a greenhouse, and multiple classrooms to accommodate our expanding population.
The Montessori Method allows students to learn and receive individualized lessons in small group settings with a low student-teacher ratio. Students learn to become independent, confident, and curious learners. They thrive in a peaceful environment while developing a responsibility for themselves and the natural world.
School Mission:
St. Joseph Montessori School provides a Montessori Catholic learning community that honors the whole child and their immense potential.
Job Overview:
St. Joseph Montessori School seeks an organized, enthusiastic and hard-working person to take our music programming to the next level. Working hours are 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (4:45 PM on Wednesdays).
Overview of the Program: The SJMS Music Program is a growing and vibrant part of our community. The SJMS Music Program includes: 4th-year (Grade) Euklele, Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, Toddler-8th Grade General Music, and a Hand Bell Choir. Nearly 60 students participate in Band at SJMS and several are enrolled in private lessons. The band enjoys the support of our community and is considered an essential part of the overall student experience.
New for the 25-26 school year is a 4th-Year Euklele program; after completion of the program they will be ready to progress to beginning band in 5th - year.
Private lessons are a wonderful way for students to continue their music advancement and a wonderful opportunity for additional income for our music specialist. Private lessons are held at the school and after school hours. It is the responsibility of the music specialist to schedule and plan for private lessons. This is not a requirement, but seen as an enrichment opportunity for our students, convenient for parents, and a source of additional income for the specialist.
The Music Specialist is expected to complete planning and instruction for children ages 18 months to 14 years old. The responsibilities include vocal music, movement, music theory, instrumental, bell choir, and includes an opportunity to deliver individual music lessons.
The Music Specialist is responsible for two all-school performances each year; Cookies and Carols in December and the Spring Concert.
Key Responsibilities for Music Teacher:
- Support the Mission of the School
- Plan and prepare lessons in relation to individual students' needs and developmental level
- Acquire appropriate teaching materials and resources
- Motivate pupils, encourage, and track progress
- Create and maintain a network of communication with classroom teachers, other specialists, and administration to ensure work continuity
- Facilitate ongoing communication with parents
- Ensure up-to-date knowledge and awareness of ways in which to assess students
- Assess pupils' abilities, providing feedback, and complete progress reports with school-wide report formats
- Prepare and facilitate student participation in OMEA adjudicated events including Solo and Ensemble and Large Group contests.
- Oversee student instrument rentals and music supply purchases in conjunction with Buckeye Brass
- Teach Eukele to our 4th year students
- Learn Transparent Classroom–an online record keeping system designed for Montessori School
Qualifications for Music Teacher:
- Ohio Department of Education Teaching License. Either hold a 4-Year Resident Educator License - Music OR a 5-Year Professional Teaching License - Music
- The Music Specialist/Band Director is expected to have a general knowledge of all instrument families, including fundamental embouchure, fingerings, technique, and pitch tendency considerations
- Demonstrable knowledge of music curriculum and the ability to implement it
- In addition to daily teaching responsibilities, the Music Specialist/ Band Director will also organize and attend Christmas and Spring concerts, OMEA Adjudicated events, Summer Band Camp, Honor Bands, and any other duties required to maintain an exemplary Band program including evening and weekend time commitments
- Ability to support and promote a team environment
- Ability to interact collaboratively with students, parents, colleagues, and administration
- Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
- Confident in leading a classroom of students with appropriate management techniques that embrace Montessori pedagogy
- Enthusiasm, initiative, high energy level, sense of humor, and flexibility
- Must enjoy working with children age 18 months - 14 years
- Physical ability to work around children, including sitting on the floor, standing, crouching, and climbing stairs
- Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25-50 pounds on an occasional basis
- Willingness to complete Religious Education Level 1 certification
- Required to complete FBI/BCI Background Check, Protecting God’s Children 3-hour workshop, FEMA Training, CPR/First Aid Certification, Religion I course of study (Diocese of Columbus requirement), State of Ohio Science of Reading, and other professional development as assigned.
Compensation and Benefits
St. Joseph Montessori School offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package that includes; 90% employee-paid health care, HRA Card, dental and vision options, 3% retirement match after one year of service. Salary is based on educational background and work experience. Generous tuition discount for the children of SJMS faculty and staff.
Diversity and Inclusion:
St. Joseph Montessori School is committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment not only enriches our company culture but also drives innovation, creativity, and success. We value and respect the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings to our team.
In our pursuit of diversity, we actively seek to create a workplace that is representative of different races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, ages, and socio-economic backgrounds. We recognize that diversity goes beyond visible differences and encompasses a wide range of identities and life experiences. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate.
Our commitment to inclusion means fostering a workplace where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best work. We strive to create an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, open communication, and mutual respect. We understand that embracing differences leads to a stronger, more dynamic team that can tackle challenges with a variety of perspectives and solutions.
We actively work to eliminate biases and barriers that may hinder equal opportunities for all employees. Our policies and practices are designed to create a fair and inclusive environment, ensuring that everyone has the chance to thrive and advance within the organization.
By embracing diversity and inclusion, we believe we can build a stronger, more innovative company that reflects the world we live in. We invite individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to join us in our mission, knowing that their unique contributions will help us achieve our goals and create a workplace that truly values and respects diversity.
At St. Joseph Montessori School, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment. We value the unique perspectives and backgrounds each teacher brings to our team. We believe that a diverse faculty enriches the educational experience for all students and promotes a culture of understanding and respect. We are committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. We will recruit, select, promote, train, compensate, and discipline individuals in full compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability to provide fair and equal treatment to all employees and job applicants.
To Apply:
Email Resume, Cover Letter, and a list of 3 References to Brian Lower at blower@cdeducation.org
