Lower School Music Teacher

St. Michael's Prep; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Michael’s Prep, located in Austin, Texas, seeks a dynamic Lower School Music Teacher for Pre-K 3 through 3rd grade.

This full-time, 10-month role begins in August 2026, with responsibilities including teaching general music, coordinating with three music educators to produce annual performances, and supporting seasonal grade-level shows. Ideal candidates bring knowledge of music pedagogy, proficiency in at least one instrument (keyboard and/or guitar preferred), and comfort with classroom

Qualifications

• Knowledge of music pedagogy and child development across early childhood and elementary grades.
• Proficiency in at least one instrument; keyboard and/or guitar strongly preferred.
• Growth mindset with a positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.
• Willingness to integrate and learn new technology platforms and applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational and time-management skills.
• A collaborative and inquisitive approach to teaching and learning.
• Orff or Kodaly certifications preferred.
• At least two years as a classroom teacher.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Responsibilities

• Implement music lessons that emphasize the joy in learning.
• Conduct music classes following a curriculum that develops diverse musical skills and cultural appreciation.
• Direct school performances and special events throughout the school year.
• Manage classroom behavior using social-emotional learning approaches and inclusive strategies.
• Collaborate with other teachers to integrate music into core curriculum and school initiatives.
• Use varied instructional techniques to meet diverse learning needs.
• Maintain instruments and equipment, ensuring proper care and safety.
• Assess student progress through observation and performance-based assessments.
• Maintain records and communicate student growth to families.
• Participate in shared faculty duties as assigned by the Head of Lower School.

Skills

Music pedagogy

Child development

Keyboard

Guitar

Communication

Time management

Collaboration

Orff/Kodaly cert

Team teaching

Classroom teaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Technology platforms

Job description

Salary Details Please see our website for more information: https://www.smcprep.org/careers

Posted: 29-Jul-26

Location: Austin, Texas

Type: Full Time

Salary: Based on Experience

Categories Visual/Performing Arts

Required Education 4 Year Degree

Why St. Michael’s Prep?

Located in the hills of southwest Austin, Texas, St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School is an outstanding co-educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Austin, Texas. The Lower School is comprised of PreK 3-4th grades, the Middle School houses grades 5-8, and the Upper School contains grades 9-12. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition, a welcoming and diverse community, excellent academic programs and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally, we are a technology rich school. Thus teachers and staff are expected to demonstrate meaningful skill with technology and an enthusiasm for technological growth in order to create authentic learning experiences for their students. Teachers at St. Michael’s Prep further serve as role models that inspire students to critically think, reflect, explore and apply their faith concretely to their lives. We are one community, on two campuses, with three divisions, united in our commitment to put students first as we educate them in mind, body, and spirit

• Our values : Integrity, Courage, & Excellence
• Our mission: St. Michael’s Prep cultivates a transformative, Independent school experience rooted in Catholic spirituality where we seek excellence in every pursuit and form virtuous leaders who positively impact the world.

We are anchored by the Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and promote inclusion by advocating for a society based on love and justice, where all people have inherent dignity. We are passionate about cultivating a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment, celebrating and supporting differences.

We employ and optimize practices that promote growth of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

Pre-K 3 through 3rd grade Music Teacher

St. Michael’s Prep seeks a dynamic, experienced, collaborative, and creative individual as our Lower School Music Teacher. The ideal candidate will possess an understanding of music theory and composition. Key responsibilities of this role include teaching Lower School general music, working with a team of three music educators to create and manage our annual school-wide performances, and supporting the production of seasonal grade-level performances. This is a full time, 10 month assignment beginning in August 2026.

Responsibilities

• Implement music lessons that emphasize the joy in learning
• Conduct music classes following a curriculum that develops musical skills and appreciation for diverse musical genres and cultures while engaging all students
• Direct school performances and special events throughout the school year
• Manage classroom behavior through the application of social emotional learning best practice approaches (Responsive Classroom) and process based learning to create a positive, inclusive learning environment that fosters a feeling of significance, belonging, and fun for all students
• Collaborate with other special area teachers and classroom teachers to integrate music into core curriculum and support school-wide initiatives and events
• Use a variety of instructional techniques and practices to meet the learning needs of all students
• Maintain instruments and equipment, ensuring proper care, storage, and safety of all musical materials and technology
• Assess student progress through observation, participation, and performance-based assessments
• Maintain accurate records and communicate with families about student growth
• Perform assigned duties such as carpool, lunch, and recess duties
• Participate in shared faculty responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Head of Lower School

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for positions at our school are experienced in and continue to develop expertise in social-emotional learning, project-based learning, STEAM integration, technology-rich and differentiated instruction. Ideal candidates thrive in a collaborative environment designing and delivering innovative and creative cross-curricular instructional units to students with diverse learning styles and needs.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of music pedagogy and child development across early childhood and elementary grades
• Strong musical ability with proficiency in at least one instrument; keyboard and/or guitar skills strongly preferred
• Possess a growth mindset with a positive attitude and a willingness to approach learning new skills in flexible and creative ways
• Willingness to integrate and learn new technology platforms and applications in meaningful and appropriate ways
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Organizational and time-management skills to juggle multiple classes, rehearsals, and performances
• A collaborative and inquisitive approach to teaching and learning with excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work on a team
• Orff or Kodaly certifications preferred
• At least two years as a classroom teacher
• Bachelor’s degree required

St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers equal employment opportunity to all applicants for employment and all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military service, application for military service, or any other status protected by applicable law.

About St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School

St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School is accredited through the Independent School Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED). Located in the hills of southwest Austin, Texas, St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School is an outstanding co-educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Austin, Texas. The Lower School is comprised of PreK 3-4th grades, the Middle School houses grades 5-8, and the Upper School contains grades 9-12. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition, a welcoming and diverse community, excellent academic programs and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally, we are a technology rich school. Thus teachers and staff are expected to demonstrate meaningful skill with technology and an enthusiasm for technological growth in order to create authentic learning experiences for their students. Teachers at St. Michael’s Prep further serve as role models that inspire students to critically think, reflect, explore and apply their faith concretely to their lives. We are one community, on two campuses, with three divisions, united in our commitment to put students first as we educate them in mind, body, and spirit. Come join our community!