Lead Teaching Artist

Summary:

The SFJAZZ Lead Teaching Artist collaborates in the creation of curricula, develops and leads middle and high school residencies, facilitates professional development workshops for teaching artists, and develops content for in-school, extracurricular and other SFJAZZ Education programs. The Lead Teaching Artist is also responsible for supporting Teaching Artists with curriculum and classroom facilitation, leading Professional Development workshops with classroom teachers and school administrators, regularly observing and evaluating on-call Teaching Artists, cultivating site partnerships, and engaging the organization across departments to execute program goals. This Lead Teaching Artist position will be primarily responsible for stewardship of the Jazz In Session program-which provides support to middle and high school jazz band programs-with other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:

Programming & Curriculum Development

• Collaborate with SFJAZZ staff and classroom/band room teachers within our partner schools to support a standards-based
  curriculum in jazz music performance and literacy. Curriculum development will embody the pedagogical philosophy of SFJAZZ in amplifying and celebrating jazz music in all its forms.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of curricular plans, pedagogical methodology, teaching tools etc., using the most recent trends and research on relevant practices and diversity initiatives to ensure all students are celebrated and included.
• Design and gather curriculum guides, instructional materials, lesson plans,
  assessments tools and other learning resources that support students of all levels and backgrounds.
• Provide instruction for Jazz In Session residencies as needed throughout the school year.
• Develop and modify curricula designed to help students explore and immerse themselves in jazz music study, appreciation and performance.
• Lead regular check-ins with classroom teachers and school administrators and respond to changing requests from program sites.
• Review/edit lesson plan archive on an ongoing basis.

Teaching Artist Support

• Support on-call Teaching Artists with curriculum and content development for in-school, extracurricular and other programs as required
• Lead pre-residency meetings with school site staff and on-call Teaching Artists to establish expectations and outline goals for the residency
• Support on-call TAs with classroom management strategies and solutions
• Problem-solve any school site or Teaching Artist issues, including placement, program quality and delivery, under the guidance of the School Programs team
• Collaborate on maintaining and updating on-call Teaching Artist expectations
• Participate in on-call Teaching Artist hiring and onboarding process, including interviews and assessing candidate teaching demonstrations
• Facilitate annual Teaching Artist orientation, including creating and updating documents, policies, procedures, etc.
• Conduct regular in-class observations/assessments of TA's classroom management skills, ability to meet learning objectives, and conduct follow-up debriefs with Teaching Artists
• Participate in on-call TA performance review processes including classroom observations, evaluations and
  progress reports
• Attend school site meetings throughout the year, mandatory professional development sessions, and department meetings as scheduled by SFJAZZ Education staff
• Facilitate professional development sessions on best curriculum-building and teaching practices, particularly on how to integrate the history and evolution of jazz and Black American music into age-appropriate content

Stewardship of School Partnerships

• Cultivate school site partnerships and engage the organization across departments to execute program goal
• Maintain timely communication with SFJAZZ Education staff and program sites via email, phone, and in person
• Work collaboratively with the School Programs team to align partner needs with programs
• Conduct classroom visits for possible partner schools
• Assess and determine SFJAZZ School Programs alignment with potential school site partners

Qualifications:

• Minimum four (4) years experience developing residency-length music education curricula and teaching creative content to middle and high school students from a variety of backgrounds
• Direct experience supporting educators through mentorship, coaching, and leading professional development workshops
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and collaborative work ethic
• Minimum of five (5) years professional experience as a jazz music educator and performer
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of African Diaspora, jazz history and repertoire, and performance practice
• Knowledge of age-appropriate teaching methods and best practices in the context of music education
• Experience with collaboratively overseeing a team of on-call Teaching Artists
• Experience in jazz composition and arranging techniques
• Must pass fingerprinting and TB test before hire
• Bilingual in Spanish is desirable
• Experience with culturally responsive, trauma-informed or healing-centered teaching practices is desirable

SFJAZZ School Programs

From field trips to our unique SFJAZZ Center Auditorium, to hands-on learning in their very own classrooms and mentorship with jazz professionals, SFJAZZ School Programs give students access to the living history of jazz music. SFJAZZ supports SFUSD and OUSD public and charter schools through interactive, in-person residencies developed in partnership with classroom/band room teachers, and extends our reach beyond the Bay Area. All programs are offered free of charge.

Working Conditions:

SFJAZZ has a flexible work policy. This position is required to be on-site in the office or at school sites
a minimum of 3 days/week, combined with assigned in-school teaching hours. SFJAZZ produces events and performances all times of the day/week. Evenings/weekends may be required.

Additionally, you will have the benefit of 8 weeks off, with 2 weeks in the wintertime and 6 weeks off in the summertime. Specifically, you will be off work the last week of December and the first week of January for the winter break, and the second week of June to the third week of July for the summer break. This position primarily works within the School District system; your schedule will closely reflect the monthly schedule of teachers in that system, with the winter and summer weeks off.