POSITION STATEMENT
Middle & Upper School Instrumental Strings Music Teacher (Part-Time)

Start Date: August 2025

OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Early Childhood - 12th grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks a part-time Middle & Upper School Instrumental (Strings) Music Teacher  within a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, service learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and  expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style. Brooklyn Friends School does not discriminate based on these characteristics or any characteristic prohibited by law and provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants. If you need an accommodation related to any part of the hiring process, please send an email to hiring@brooklynfriends.org.

This short video gives you a glimpse into our contemporary experience.

THE POSITION
Reporting to the Head of Middle School, the Instrumental Music Teacher collaborates with the Heads of Middle & Upper School, performing arts colleagues, and the Performing Arts Department Chair to plan, create, support, and implement curriculum within our Instrumental Music Program grades 5-12. Applicants will ideally have experience and expertise in multiple string instruments including but not limited to violin, viola, cello, and bass  instruments as well as digital music and music theory. Demonstration of strong classroom management skills, an investment in continued professional growth, comfort using classroom technology, and a commitment to promoting a diverse community is expected. All music colleagues are expected to be active participants in the upkeep of our instruments and performance spaces. 

Primary Responsibilities Include:

This position reports to the Head of Middle School

• Teach a part-time schedule of (0.5 FTE) Middle and Upper School Instrumental Music courses
• Attend Performing Arts Department and weekly Learning Community Meetings
• Facilitate and organize performances during and outside of the school day
• Support the academic/social/emotional development of all students
• Collaborate well with colleagues to plan, create, and implement curriculum
• Communicate effectively with families with regard to all aspects of classroom life and child development
• Be responsible for ongoing student assessment
• Participate in the pit orchestra for the annual musical theater production
• Perform necessary routine tasks and daily maintenance of the classroom, including stewarding our collection of musical instruments and equipment
• Be responsible for ongoing student assessment
• Serves as an active community member that is highly collaborative and partners well with teachers, families, administration, and students 

Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:

• Bachelor’s degree or Graduate degree in Music/Music Education (preferred)
• 3-5 years teaching experience (preferred) 
• A skilled musician and experienced performer well-versed in jazz and a variety of musical styles and cultures
• Experience teaching wind, brass, and percussion instruments
• Experience teaching music ensembles, music theory, and composition
• Proficiency with incorporating technology into the classroom and experience with programs such as GarageBand or Soundtrap 
• Strong classroom management skills

• An investment in continued professional growth 
• Demonstrates strong communication skills (oral and written)
• Approaches work with flexibility, patience, grace, connection, and a willingness to learn 
• Demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion
• Brings a passion and desire to create a joyful learning environment

• Respect for the life of the child
• Shows compassion, integrity, and open-mindedness in all interactions
• Exhibits collegiality, approachability, flexibility, and adaptability
• Has the ability to partner and collaborate across professional statuses, i.e., with all colleagues (i.e., staff, leadership, families, student body, local and national independent school communities, and the neighborhood community)

Physical Requirements of the Job: 

• Must be able to work in an office environment including prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
• Must be able to stand, bend over, twist and reach to access file cabinets, navigate instrument storage spaces, bookshelves, and office and workstation spaces.
• Must be able to ambulate through a classroom setting, including walking up stairs.

Union Status: Union

Salary Range: $35,800 - $48,770 

Ultimately, in determining your pay, we will consider your educational level, experience, and other job-related factors. Your salary will also depend on the School's final determination of the number of classes being taught and the associated time commitment.

• Benefits: Colleagues may be eligible to participate in employment benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. Benefits are subject to change at any time, and are subject to applicable plan documents.

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Head of Middle School. Along with punctuating your interest and experience, your cover letter should also address how you feel that your professional journey aligns with our school’s Quaker values and pillars of social justice and civic engagement.
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (with emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you).
4. Letters of recommendation are highly encouraged. 
5. Completed online application.

Please email the above attachments (if possible as a single PDF) to hiring@brooklynfriends.org and performingartsposition@brooklynfriends.org and put Instrumental Music Teacher  in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted after materials have been reviewed. 

Brooklyn Friends School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

We appreciate your interest in employment at Brooklyn Friends School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination.

About Brooklyn Friends School

Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) is a thriving Preschool-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn with a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, service learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style.

Connections working at Brooklyn Friends School