Lead Teaching Artist
OVERVIEW
SFJAZZ Education School Programs provide a robust array of in-school residencies as well as performances for students in San Francisco and Oakland public and charter schools. The Education department is seeking an additional Lead Teaching Artist (jazz instrumentalist) to support the ongoing creation and implementation of these programs. The Lead TA collaborates in the creation of curricula, develops middle school residencies, facilitates professional development workshops for all teaching artists, and ideates, curates and develops content for in-school, extracurricular and digital education programs. SFJAZZ School Programs include School Day Concerts, Jazz In the Middle, and Jazz In Session. The Lead Teaching Artist is also responsible for leading regular check-ins with classroom teachers and school administrators, cultivating site partnerships, and engaging the organization across departments to execute program goals.
Description of School Programs:
Jazz In the Middle (JIM)
Jazz In the Middle (JIM) is a language arts-integration program combining jazz and poetry. SFJAZZ teaching artists work with classroom teachers over the course of two-week or semester-long residencies, leading activities and discussions around the following themes while adjusting curriculum to meet the needs of individual classes/students:
- Blues & Poetry: This residency links the history of blues and poetry to language arts curriculum. Students explore the foundations and history of American jazz, blues, poetry, and spoken word by creating their own performance to present on the final day of the residency.
- Freedom & Jazz: Students explore the foundations of American jazz and roots music to discover how these forms reflect our common heritage, making critical connections between music and social/cultural movements.
- Jazz & the American Experience: Students explore the resilience of the American spiritthrough the evolution of jazz. Through a series of musical and improvisational exercises, students create stories linked to the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, WWII, and the Civil Rights Era.
In addition, Jazz In the Middle presents a Poetry Festival Student Showcase each spring where students who have participated in the JIM program receive additional coaching time with Poet Mentors to prepare for their performance at the SFJAZZ Center’s Miner Auditorium.
Jazz In Session (JIS)
Jazz In Session collaborates with schools in strengthening existing music instruction programs by making jazz education accessible to the Bay Area public school community through band director professional development workshops, repertoire support, free concert tickets, in-school performances, and tailored support by leading Bay Area clinicians.
School Day Concerts
School Day Concerts provide free performances tailored to students in grades K-12 with leading jazz artists and educators at the SFJAZZ Center's beautiful Miner Auditorium, and direct to public schools throughout San Francisco and Oakland.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with SFJAZZ staff and classroom teachers across both San Francisco Unified and Oakland Unified School Districts to develop and implement a standards-based curriculum across our School Programs
- Teach diverse groups of students, demonstrating culturally-responsive classroom management methods
- Respond to changing requests from program sites
- Maintain timely communication with SFJAZZ Education staff and program sites via email, phone, and in person
- Attend school site meetings throughout the year, mandatory professional development sessions, and department meetings as scheduled by SFJAZZ Education staff
- Create and execute evaluation processes for programs, Teaching Artists and School Programs staff
- Lead regular check-ins with classroom teachers and school administrators
- Cultivate site partnerships, and engage the organization across departments to execute program goals
- Support hourly Teaching Artists with curriculum development, classroom management, and content development of in-school, extracurricular and digital programs
- Provide feedback to School Programs Coordinators regarding Teaching Artist performance
- Problem-solve site/artist issues as appropriate under the guidance of the School Programs team
- Refine artistic management tools as needed
- Troubleshoot issues related to artist placement and program quality as needed
- Work collaboratively with the School Programs team to align partner needs with programs
- Duties consist of approximately 30% teaching, 40% preparation and development of programs, and 30% administrative support (ie. data tracking and evaluation).Minimum Qualifications
- Experience teaching creative content to middle and high school students from a variety of backgrounds
- Professional experience as a jazz instrumentalist and performer
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of African Diaspora and jazz history
- Extensive knowledge of jazz repertoire, performance practice and cultural aesthetics
- Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans and classroom tools
- Knowledge of age-appropriate teaching methods and best practices in the context of arts education
- Experience with supporting a cohort of teaching artists
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Reliability, punctuality, flexibility and collaborative work ethic
- Artistic excellence and dedication to education
- Must pass fingerprinting and TB test prior to hire
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working collaboratively in remote/hybrid situations
Background in social justice and critical race theory - Experience with trauma-informed or healing-centered teaching practices
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Arts integration programming experience and collaboration with classroom teachers
- Familiarity with remote or distance learning platforms
EDUCATION
Advanced Degree (or equivalent) in Jazz Studies, World Music, Performance, Music History, Music Education, etc, preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS
We offer a competitive salary based on qualifications, excellent benefits, and a flexible environment with some hybrid and remote work. This position requires frequent travel throughout San Francisco and Oakland. Salary Salary range for this position is $75k-$90k/year, commensurate with experience. This is a full time, benefits eligible job (30 hours/week). SFJAZZ offers several medical, dental and vision plans as well as Life insurance and a generous 401K matching plan after 90 days.
SFJAZZ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY OF STAFF. We particularly welcome those who bring the gifts of diversity to our organization. People of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY
Please send your resume and cover letter in Word (doc) or PDF format to jobs@sfjazz.org with “Lead Teaching Artist” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please include any current or relevant teaching experience along with audio/video links demonstrating your musicianship and teaching skills. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.
Title: Lead Teaching Artist
Department: Education
Reports to: Director of Education
Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt (30 hours/week)