Friends Seminary educates students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, adhering to the values of the Religious Society of Friends. We strive to build a diverse school where students exercise their curiosity and imagination as they develop as scholars, artists and athletes. In a community that cultivates the practices of keen observation, unhurried reflection, critical thinking, and coherent expression, we listen for the single voice as we seek unity. The disciplines of silence, study, and service provide the matrix for growth: silence opens us to change; study helps us to know the world; service challenges us to put our values into practice. At Friends Seminary, education is rooted in the Quaker belief in the Inner Light – that of God in every person. Guided by the testimonies of integrity, peace, equality, and simplicity, we prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be.
Founded in 1786, Friends Seminary, the oldest continually operating coeducational, independent Quaker school in New York City, seeks applications for a Lower and Middle School Dance Education Teacher to serve as a leave replacement from January 2025 - June 2025. They will be responsible for collaborating with faculty and staff to teach in support of the School’s mission, curricular goals, and students. The ideal candidate will possess creative problem-solving skills, a sense of humor, enthusiasm for innovative curriculum, a positive attitude toward growth, a gentle curiosity, an ability to observe and express without judgment, and strong interpersonal skills that allow one to cooperate and collaborate effectively with others.
Responsibilities
Teach Dance Education classes in the Lower and Middle School divisions.
Collaborate with departmental colleagues on Dance Education curriculum and pedagogy.
Execute motivating lessons for students which reflect knowledge of curriculum, students’ interests and abilities, and students’ social and emotional needs.
Demonstrate a passion for lifelong learning on a daily basis.
Attend faculty meetings and other planning meetings as necessary.
Prepare student reports which include narrative descriptions of students' achievements and needs.
Communicate respectfully with families and demonstrate sensitivity to cultures, values, configurations, and beliefs.
Support the mission and philosophy of the School.
View curriculum as well as classroom and School culture through a lens focused on the core values of equality, diversity, and community engagement.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
3+ years of experience preferred.
Knowledge of child development, best practices, and current trends in education specifically related to lower and middle school aged children and the Dance Education discipline.
Demonstrated classroom management skills, including allocating time, space, and materials for most effective learning.
Experience in differentiated instruction.
A proven commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all learners.
Creativity and innovation in both curriculum and instruction.
Versatility and flexibility both within and outside of the classroom, encouraging students to think creatively, work collaboratively, embrace failure, and communicate effectively with others.
Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Comfort and experience with educational technology such as Canvas, Google Suite apps, and other digital learning platforms.
Skill in creating a learning environment that is challenging, motivating, and developmentally appropriate.
Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; master’s degree preferred.
Compensation
Annual salary range for 2024-2025 based on years of teaching experience and level of degrees earned: $80,000 - $161,000+
The compensation for this position will be prorated since the duration of the role is half of the school year.
Benefits
Friends Seminary offers excellent benefits including paid time off, health, dental, vision, 403(b) with a School-paid match; wide-ranging opportunities for professional development, including tuition support and summer grants; and a talented and dedicated team of teaching colleagues and supportive administrators. Successful candidates will join a dynamic and forward-thinking teaching community of over 150 educators.
Contact information for three to five personal references
A statement of educational philosophy
When submitting your materials, kindly be sure to reference your first and last name, the position for which you are applying, and where you heard about the position in the subject line. i.e. [last name], [first name] - Dance Education Teacher - LS/MS - Friends Seminary website. You will receive a confirmation email when you submit your application. No phone calls, please.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We urge all applicants to identify and express their individuality and the ways in which they might enrich and diversify the School community.
Moreover, all successful applicants, whether for a faculty or administrative staff post, must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in their professional lives. Applicants for a faculty position should highlight ways their curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom culture may advance these goals. Applicants for an administrative staff position should highlight ways they seek to promote these goals in their office work, programming, or operational endeavors.
Friends Seminary educates students from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade, adhering to the values of the Religious Society of Friends. We strive to build a diverse school where students exercise their curiosity and imagination as they develop as scholars, artists and athletes. In a community that cultivates the practices of keen observation, unhurried reflection, critical thinking, and coherent expression, we listen for the single voice as we seek unity. The disciplines of silence, study, and service provide the matrix for growth: silence opens us to change; study helps us to know the world; service challenges us to put our values into practice. At Friends Seminary, education is rooted in the Quaker belief in the Inner Light – that of God in every person. Guided by the testimonies of integrity, peace, equality, and simplicity, we prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be.