Music Teacher for Early Childhood Music

Saint Mark's Cathedral; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle seeks a part-time Music Teacher for Joyful Noise: Early Childhood Music to lead two weekly 45-minute classes for babies/toddlers and preschoolers with parent/caregiver participation, aiming to inspire a love of music and faith language.

The teacher collaborates with the Choir School Director and Cathedral Administrator to develop developmentally appropriate lesson plans, foster caregiver engagement, maintain a safe inclusive space, and manage class logistics and

Qualifications

• Proven ability to engage babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in music activities.
• Strong communication with children, parents, and staff.
• Experience in early childhood music or education settings preferred.
• Comfort with and respect for Episcopal faith language and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead two weekly 45-minute classes for Baby/Toddler and Preschool with caregiver participation.
• Develop developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with goals of the Choir School.
• Engage caregivers to support music-making and liturgy participation.
• Adapt activities for diverse developmental needs and maintain class safety.

Skills

Strong musical skills

Excellent communication

Experience with young children

Relational / empathetic

Education

College-level education or commensurate experience

Safe Church training

Job description

The Music Teacher for Joyful Noise - Early Childhood Music will approach the entirety of their work with grace, good humor, and an unwavering commitment to serving children and their families in lifegiving ways. We seek a highly relational person with proven initiative and a demonstrated ability to work well with young children and their parents. The Music Teacher for Early Childhood Music will initially lead two weekly interactive 45min. music classes: one designed for babies & toddlers (ages 0 to 3) and one for preschoolers (ages 3-5), both with parent/caregiver participation. The Music Teacher will facilitate engaging music activities, songs, and the use of various instruments that promote language development, motor skills, social interaction, faith formation and fundamental music concepts. This role offers a unique opportunity to inspire a love of music and foundation in faith language in young children and build meaningful connections with families in our community.

Responsibilities

As guided by the Choir School Director and Canon for Intergenerational Ministries, the Music Teacher for Joyful Noise Early Childhood Music Classes will:

• Class Facilitation: Lead two weekly 45min children’s music classes. These two separate age-appropriate classes would be a Baby/Toddler class and Preschool class with parent/caregivers. Classes will incorporate a variety of age-appropriate songs, rhymes, chants, instruments, and musical activities with attention to the liturgical year and music of the cathedral liturgies.
• Curriculum Development: In collaboration with Choir School Director and Canon for Intergenerational Ministries, plan and prepare developmentally appropriate 45minute lesson plans and activities that align with the goals and objectives of the Choir School and cathedral formation priorities. Curriculum should foster creativity, exploration, and active participation. Not all activities need to be religious in repertoire and content but ongoing connection to spirituality and faith should be foundational.
• Parent/Caregiver Engagement: Foster a supportive and interactive environment where caregivers actively participate in the music-making experience with their children, promoting bonding and positive parent-child interactions. Parents should be equipped with tools to assist in engaging their children in liturgies such as kinesthetic action and the flow of a typical liturgy.
• Adaptation and Differentiation: Modify activities and teaching strategies to accommodate the varying developmental needs, interests, and abilities of individual toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers.
• Class Management: Maintain a safe, organized, and inclusive classroom environment, managing transitions, behaviors, and group dynamics effectively while ensuring the well-being and comfort of all participants.
• Administrative Tasks: Responsibility for class registration and work with Cathedral Administrator to track class fee collection. Communication with parents/caregivers about class schedule and expectations.
• Cleanup: Following each class, return the classroom to a clean and organized state ready for use by other groups.

The Music Teacher for Joyful Noise - Early Childhood Music Classes is designed to be part-time, 4 hours per week. The role will be on-site parts of one or two days each week. The class schedule will be determined in collaboration with Choir School Director and Canon for Intergenerational Ministries. Certain leave benefits are provided according to cathedral policy and state and local laws. Health and dental benefits are not extended to positions scheduled for this part-time role.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

• Missional Alignment: understands and supports the cathedral’s mission, vision and values.
• Relational Connectivity: strong interpersonal and communication skills, commitment to building relational trust with the cathedral community.
• Teachable & Studious: ability to humbly receive feedback and instruction, desire to learn and pursue continuing education/training.
• Self-Directed: ability to manage complex projects and work independently.
• Team Player: works well in collaboration with others, commitment to investing in people.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for working with young children and a genuine love for music and early childhood development.
• Comfort with and respect for the Christian faith, Episcopal practice and language of inclusion and belovedness of all in the sight of God.
• Previous experience working with young children in a teaching or caregiving role, preferably in a music or early childhood education setting.
• Strong musical skills and knowledge, including proficiency in singing and leading group activities. Certification or training in early childhood music education (e.g., Musikgarten, Music Together, Kindermusik, Orff-Schulwerk) is a plus but not required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and connect with both children and adults in a positive and supportive manner.
• Patient, positive, fun, and enthusiastic demeanor, with the ability to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for families.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum college-level education in field related to the scope of this work or commensurate job experience is preferred.
• At least two years of music instruction experience preferred.
• Satisfactory completion of Safe Church training and background screening.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing
• Walking
• Climbing/balancing
• Occasionally lifting 25 or more pounds
• Reaching—with arms and hands
• Stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling
• Talking
• Hearing
• Vision—close, peripheral, depth, ability to adjust/focus