Altavistaschool is hiring: Long-Term Substitute Music Teacher in San Francisco

Opportunity starting January 5, 2025. Alta Vista Lower School seeks a dynamic long-term substitute to teach our music program to our junior kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms from January 5, 2025, to March 5, 2026. Our team is looking for an experienced, energetic individual passionate about creating safe and positive student environments by integrating and modeling social and emotional learning (SEL). The teacher should be able to foster a calm, responsive environment. Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential.

The role is full-time: Mondays & Fridays 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Tuesdays through Thursdays 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, excluding holidays, special events, and school vacation breaks. The position includes overseeing recess play several times a week and attending faculty meetings on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.

If interested, send a cover letter and resume mentioning that you are a long-term substitute music teacher candidate to the Alta Vista Lower School hiring committee lshiring.committee@altavistaschool.org.

The School

Founded in San Francisco in 2010, Alta Vista School implements an inquiry-based STEAM program serving approximately 300 students across two campuses.

Alta Vista School encourages students to go beyond a strong academic foundation to pursue their passions with the help of our community. Faculty, administrators, and families believe experiences and hands‑on activities are the best practice for meaningful learning. Alta Vista educators benefit from small class sizes and are intentional in their instruction. Teachers serve as guides for students as they explore, observe, predict, measure, and analyze for themselves in an inquiry‑based journey of discovery and knowledge‑making. Likewise, AVS teachers are serious about play. We love learning alongside our students, believing that children learn better in joyous, authentic settings. Most important to the AVS approach is a foundation rooted in the scientific method and a belief that science and technology, guided by the arts, can be leveraged to benefit all. At AVS, students learn to embrace technology and to apply principles of design‑thinking as powerful tools for innovation. Technology is thoughtfully integrated into each classroom.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Develop high-quality, innovative curriculum aligned with the mission of Alta Vista School.

Design and maintain vibrant classroom environments.

Work cooperatively and collegially with the school’s administration, the faculty and staff, and the parents to create and maintain an exemplary school environment.

Prepare for and actively participate in all school activities, faculty meetings, and conferences, including those with parents, during and after school hours as may be necessary.

Take full advantage of all opportunities to grow as a teacher.

Cultivate collaboration, transparency, inclusion, curiosity, fun, innovation, and excellence in a dynamic learning community.

Possess a passion for elementary education and have the ability to spark student motivation and love of learning.

In-depth knowledge of music curricula and best teaching practices.

• Ability to conduct dynamic and flexible instruction to address a variety of learning needs and interests.

Collaborate with the drama teacher to oversee the design and execution of after school Drama Club performances.

Facilitation of 1 - 2 after‑school classes per week.

Willingness to examine one's own teaching with a critical eye in order to continuously improve one’s practice.

Evaluate student progress regularly using assessment tools.

Provide students with opportunities to question, investigate, and wonder.

Commitment to teaching music from diverse cultural traditions and creating inclusive learning environments that honor and celebrate students' varied backgrounds and identities.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience teaching elementary or middle school students

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master’s Degree
• Teaching certification

Skills/Abilities and Attributes

• Experience teaching music at the elementary school level.
• Teaches Orff instruments, singing, recorder, music theory and literacy, movement, music history, improvisation, songwriting, and composition
• Leads whole school singing and movement activities, relating to thematic content, in bi‑weekly community meetings.
• Strong communication skills and professional ethics are essential.
• Team‑oriented, with a strong ability to multitask and work in a fast‑paced environment to multiple deadlines
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently
• Excellent time management with an ability to balance multiple projects and timelines, and to meet deadlines
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to express ideas clearly and actively listen to others
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Regularly lift or carry 1–20 lbs.
• Regular pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, and kneeling.
• Regularly climbing stairs.
• Regularly sitting or standing for 4–8 hours.
• Requires physical presence; all work performed on campus.

Pay Range: $200–$400 per day (based on experience)

If interested, please send a resume and cover letter detailing your educational philosophy and why you believe you would be a good fit at Alta Vista to lshiring.committee@altavistaschool.org.

NOTICE: This position is not limited to those duties in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or deleted to meet the needs of Alta Vista School. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position

Alta Vista School values a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, AVS does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status legally protected by Federal, State, or Local law.