K-2 Music Teacher Leave Coverage January 2026

National Association of Independent Schools; Corte Madera (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Marin Country Day School is seeking a passionate Music Teacher for grades K-2 to inspire young learners with diverse music education. The role emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and cultural competency while offering a strong professional development program. This is a leave replacement for the second semester of 2026, providing a unique opportunity to nurture musical talent in a supportive community.

Benefits

Robust professional development program

Diverse and supportive faculty community

Access to year-round gardens and farm-to-table meals

Qualifications

• Experience directing performances and teaching diverse music genres.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff.
• Commitment to professional growth and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Teaches music classes to K-2 students and directs performances.
• Develops respectful relationships and creates an inclusive classroom.
• Collaborates with student support services for individual learners.

Skills

Cultural competency

Curriculum development

Technology integration

Environmental sustainability

Collaboration

Innovative teaching

Education

Bachelor's Degree from a four-year accredited college

Masters and/or music credential preferred

Tools

Orff methodology

Kodaly methodology

Piano

Guitar

Job description

Title: Music Teacher, Grades K, 1, 2 (Leave Replacement)

Reports To : Lower School Division Head

Status : Second Semester 2026 (January-June)

About Marin Country Day School:

MCDS School is an independent, K-8, co-educational day school enrolling approximately 590 students from across the Bay area, drawing equally from San Francisco and Marin.

Our mission at MCDS is tocreate an inclusive community of learningthat inspires curiosity , empathy , and action .

We actively seek diversity in our administration, faculty, and student body. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: age, family structure, gender, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, physical ability, and learning style. As our Statement of Community and Inclusion indicates, “Ours is a Community that would be uncomfortable without diversity and, therefore, has been intentional about creating and nurturing a diverse group of adults and children who share the core values of respect, responsibility, and compassion.”

At MCDS, every employee is integral in creating a learning community in which all seek to improve as practitioners, learners and team members, and we support our outstanding faculty and professional staff through our strong professional development program.

Position Description:

Marin Country Day School seeks a gifted educator passionate about teaching music to our elementary students (3-5) using a rich and rigorous curriculum. We seek an inspiring music educator with a demonstrated background and/or interest in cultural competency, curriculum development, technology integration, and environmental sustainability. Also, we seek an educator who believes in teaching with the interests of the whole child in mind. Our approach and philosophy center around collaboration, thoughtful innovation, team building and leveraging diverse and multiple perspectives.

Principle Responsibilities

• Teaches music classes to students in kindergarten, first, and second grades
• Directs plays and performances
• Co-Directs Lower School Assemblies in collaboration with 3-4 Music Teacher and Lower School Division Heads
• Develops warm and respectful relationships with students
• Creates a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that honors and nurtures each child’s identity
• Identifies and responds to individual students’ learning differences and creates enrichment opportunities
• Collaborates with Student Support Services to meet the needs of individual learners
• Works collaboratively with Classroom Teachers, Specialist Teachers Learning Specialists, Lower School Division Heads and Lower School Counselor
• Participates in regular team and/or department meetings, weekly faculty meetings, and Student Study Team meetings (SST)

• Supervises students at recess, carpool, etc. and participates in assemblies and other special events

Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree from a four-year accredited college
• Masters and/or music credential preferred
• A strong background in Orff and Kodaly methodologies preferred
• Strong piano and/or guitar skills for accompanying students
• Experience playing and teaching diverse and inclusive genres of music, including classical, jazz, folk, pop and world music
• Background in teaching creative movement and dance
• Experience directing performances
• Experience directing a children's chorus optional
• Relevant teaching experience and passion for working with this age group
• Commitment to professional growth, reflective practice, and growth mindset
• Strong ability to work collaboratively

Opportunities :

• Robust professional development program
• Faculty and Staff of Color Affinity Group called Fusion
• Active SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) and White Anti-Racist groups
• Ability to design innovative curriculum in collaboration with colleagues
• Strong and supportive professional community with a growth mindset

Perks of working at MCDS:

MCDS is set back in the beautiful hills of Marin County, with a gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay. We are surrounded by all sorts of wildlife varying from swans on the grass field to frogs jumping from one succulent to another. Our staff enjoy year-round gardens that produce amazing vegetables. We are fortunate enough to enjoy these vegetables throughout the academic school year through the farm to table meals our Chefs and kitchen prepare daily for all students and staff.

The setting and meals are just a few of the amazing parts of Marin Country Day School. The inclusion, warmth and passion exuded from faculty, staff, families and the children are unique to Marin Country Day School and it makes this a very special place to work.

MCDS is an equal opportunity employer and promotes the principles and practices of diversity throughout the school community.

Music Teacher leave coverage is per day and ranges from $300-$325 per day DOE.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and statement of philosophy to [e-mail].