Lower School Music Associate Teacher (2027-2028)

Riverdale Country School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Professional development

Sabbatical opportunity

Retirement plan

Transportation

Job summary

Riverdale Country School is hiring an Associate Teacher for the Lower School Music program. The role supports students through small-group instruction and may lead full-group lessons, while collaborating with the Music team on planning, instruction, and assessment.

The program emphasizes professional development and a path for early-career educators to grow within a supportive, inclusive community. This is a full-time on-site position with competitive benefits and a strong team culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; experience with younger learners preferred.
• Coursework in related field is recommended for this role.
• Commitment to work in equity, justice, and inclusion is valued.

Responsibilities

• Assist students through small-group instruction and occasionally lead full-group lessons.
• Collaborate with the Lower School Music team on planning, instruction, reporting and assessment connected to student learning.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and growth opportunities.

Skills

Student-centered

Equity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses. This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color.

We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school community.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Associate Teachers at Riverdale are members of a cohort program designed for individuals who are in the early stages of their careers as educators. Associate Teachers work alongside a Head Teacher and play an important role in the experience of our students and colleagues.

Lower School Music at Riverdale has classes of approximately 20 students and this strong teacher-to-student ratio supports faculty in cultivating deep relationships and a sense of belonging for each child. Our Music program focuses on opportunities to develop creativity and expression alongside teaching foundational musical skills.

Associate Teachers are predominantly involved in supporting students through small-group instruction while also having the opportunity to lead full-group lessons as well. As full-time faculty members, Associate Teachers are also members of the Music team that engage in frequent collaboration related to planning, instruction, reporting, and assessment directly connected to student learning.

In addition to the intensive and hands-on teaching experience, Associate Teachers also receive ongoing professional development. These opportunities are geared toward strengthening foundational teaching practices as well as supporting individuals in their pursuit of future career opportunities. Associate Teachers may remain at Riverdale a maximum of three years and are supported in their pursuit of other opportunities beyond their time at the school.

Required Qualifications:

Faculty members are expected to engage in all aspects of work with an open mind, a positive disposition, and a willingness to support the greater community. Additionally, Riverdale seeks candidates who are committed to work in the areas of equity, justice, and inclusion. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree is required for the position. Preference is given to those who have experience working with younger learners and have completed coursework in a related field of study.

$50,000 - $62,000 a year

If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.

Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.

Vacation: Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.