Music Teacher: Kindergarten - 5th Grade

Arbor School of Arts and Sciences; Tualatin (OR); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate K-5 music teacher to inspire young minds through music and movement. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to integrate music with thematic learning and foster a vibrant school culture. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, leading assemblies and engaging students in diverse musical experiences. With a commitment to inclusivity and creativity, this role is perfect for someone eager to make a meaningful impact in a supportive educational community. Enjoy competitive benefits and a chance to shape the musical journey of children.

Benefits

100% employer-paid group medical insurance

403B retirement plan with employer match

Full tuition remission for children of faculty

Qualifications

• Willingness to train in Orff Schulwerk methodology.
• Ability to support student singing and creative movement.

Responsibilities

• Integrate music curriculum with thematic classroom activities.
• Lead all-school assemblies and support student presentations.

Skills

Orff Schulwerk certification

Student engagement in singing

Creative movement

Collaboration with faculty

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Education

Orff Schulwerk training

Job description

Arbor School of Arts and Sciences, a nonprofit, independent K-8 school with 190 students, is seeking a K-5 music teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. Arbor School is situated on a wooded 21 acre campus 20 minutes south of downtown Portland, Oregon. The ideal candidate for this position will be a dynamic and flexible individual who is drawn to supporting the development of young children within a school community dedicated to developing intellect, character, and creativity, and will:

• Demonstrate readiness to integrate music curriculum with thematic curriculum in collaboration with classroom teachers.
• Value and build upon Arbor’s culture as a “singing school” by supporting singing in various contexts beyond Music classes.
• Demonstrate interest in co-leading weekly all-school assemblies -- leading songs, supporting student presentations.
• Relish the opportunity to work with a close faculty in a positive, dynamic, and collaborative environment.

Qualifications:

• Orff Schulwerk certification (minimum, level 1) or willingness to train
• An investment in imagining, supporting, and enriching all-school events
• The ability to invite and develop student singing in various contexts
• The ability to engage students in a variety of forms of dancing and creative movement

At Arbor, we aim to foster collaboration, empathy and civil discourse within student partnerships and cross-grade groupings, modeling this within our teaching teams and parent collaborations -- believing that what makes us different as individuals will make us stronger as a community. We hold inclusivity and equity as central values and work to continuously expand our own cultural competence.

Music instruction at Arbor is based on the Orff Schulwerk approach through which Primaries (K-1) and Juniors (2-3) launch a voyage of musical exploration that builds interest and skill, mining favorite chants and rhymes for rhythmic and melodic patterns to extract, read, play, and notate. At the Intermediate (4-5) level, study of the soprano, alto, and tenor recorder begins, and children grow in independent musicianship through home practice and learning to read from a score. Barred instruments, ukuleles, recorders, drums, and other instruments are available.

Arbor students enjoy two or three music periods every week, as well as singing frequently in class groups and at school assemblies -- drawing from the broad selection of favorites we have compiled in the Arbor songbook. Integration with academic themework deepens and enriches classroom studies. Throughout the grades, students arrange and perform their own orchestrations for dramatic productions and school-wide celebrations.

This position is full time during the academic year and comes with a competitive salary and benefits, including 100% employer-paid group medical insurance, 403B retirement plan with employer match, and full tuition remission for children of faculty. Salary commensurate with experience.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to [e-mail], attention Isaac Enloe.