Part-Time Strings Teacher

The Nightingale-Bamford School seeks an innovative music educator to join our Performing Arts Department as a part-time teacher of strings to work with groups of students in grades 5-8 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Applicants should have a passion for music education and experience in working with middle school aged students. Collaboration is central to the work we do within the Performing Art Department at Nightingale-Bamford, therefore candidates must be prepared to work closely within a team. The candidate will partner closely with the director of the strings program to plan and implement a curriculum that incorporates musical knowledge and appreciation beyond instrumental study. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to best practices in pedagogy, excellent organizational skills, a passion for teaching Middle School aged students, strong written and verbal communication skills, an ability to meet deadlines, be detail oriented, and have a willingness to pursue professional development. Our faculty members are expected to value diversity as a source of strength, to commit to equity and inclusion, and to contribute to the school community outside of the classroom. 

This is a part-time, 20 hour per-week, 10 month, non-exempt position starting on August 25, 2025.

This role reports directly to the Director of Performing Arts and the Head of Middle School.

Job Responsibilities:

• Teach small group classes (5 to 15 students) of mixed string instruments - cello, viola, violin - and assist with leading student ensembles 
• Specialization in cello is preferred.
• Foster a classroom culture that is structured, productive, and inclusive
• Create intentional lesson plans tailored to each group of students that center their growth and development as musicians
• Provide leadership opportunities for students through lessons and projects
• Select student repertoire that represents a diversity of voices, is appropriately challenging, and is connected to curriculum
• Prepare students for bi-annual concerts
• Assist with running “strings lab,” where students can come for extra help and practice 
• Collaborate with the director of the strings program to help plan the arc of the curriculum from fifth to eighth grade and ensure a smooth transition between grades
• Attend Departmental (monthly) and Professional Community (weekly) meetings
• May be asked to perform a division duty for the Middle School if the schedule allows

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Music required
• Comfort in teaching cello, viola, and violin at a beginner/intermediate level
• Expertise with getting students started on their instrument, including teaching note-reading and establishing good playing technique
• Comfort with a diversity of musical styles and openness to exploring new genres
• Demonstrated experience or willingness to learn best practices in classroom management
• A flexible and creative approach to teaching music that encourages students to engage with music beyond the classroom walls
• Experience with group string instrument instruction
• Comfort with conducting / directing student ensembles
• Commitment to building and/or refining an equity lens

Personal and Professional Qualities: 

• Collaborative and eager to partner with department members and others in the community
• Flexible and adaptable
• Willing to engage in dialogue around equity and justice in education
• Committed to professional growth
• Curious and open to new ideas
• Belief in the value and potential of arts education

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 

• A shared understanding of the mission of the School and a demonstrated commitment to the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Must demonstrate cultural competence and be able to understand, appreciate, and work with constituents across varied backgrounds and cultures. 
• Excellent attention to detail, professional attitude, good judgment, a high level of integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with varied constituents. 
• Superb oral and written communication skills. 
• High level of initiative 
• Appreciation of the sense of joy inherent in Middle School.

SALARY

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, this position's hourly rate is $60 per hour. When extending an offer, Nightingale considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

HOW TO APPLY 

Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and resume online at https://www.nightingale.org/careers. 

ABOUT THE NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL 

Founded by two bold, visionary educators in 1920, The Nightingale-Bamford School’s mission is to inspire girls to go beyond barriers. Tied to this mission is a broader vision of students who are joyful learners who have the intellectual depth and courage to be critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and agents of their own lives. Nightingale educates girls’ minds and hearts and, in so doing, infuses their lives with meaningful relationships, teaching them to value difference as a means of growth and empowering them to question the status quo with confidence, empathy, resilience, and reason. Nightingale’s commitment to social justice and anti-racism requires that all community members engage actively and thoughtfully in work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates with broad and diverse backgrounds. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

It is the policy of the School to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School’s employment practices and decisions adhere to the principles of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.  

This commitment to equal opportunity applies to and is reflected in all School activities, including, but not limited to, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, staffing, training, promotions, compensation practices, employee benefits, social programs, discipline, and termination of employment. The School maintains zero tolerance for violations of this policy and expects all employees to abide by and support this policy without reservation. The School prohibits retaliation against any employee who in good faith makes a report under this policy.