Dance Teacher

About the role

As the Dance Teacher at KIPP Harmony Academy, you are a catalyst for student success, creativity, and confidence. You will ignite a passion for movement and the performing arts while helping students master essential dance technique, choreography, and performance skills alongside critical social-emotional competencies. As the architect of a joyful and rigorous dance program, you will plan, implement, and reflect on instruction to prepare students for success both on stage and in life. Collaborating closely with your grade-level teams, the enrichment department, and the Principal, you will play an active role in fostering a culture of excellence and high expectations, ensuring every student thrives and the mission of KIPP Harmony Academy is realized.

Position Responsibilities

• Hold high expectations for all students and work relentlessly to foster their artistic, physical, and personal growth through dance.
• Set class and individual goals, using ongoing assessment of technique, creativity, and performance to track progress and adjust instruction as needed.
• Design and implement data-driven assessments that inform instructional decisions and support continuous growth in dance skills and expression.
• Apply deep knowledge of dance technique, choreography, and movement styles to deliver engaging and effective instruction across multiple genres.
• Demonstrate mastery of grade-level dance standards, benchmarks, and curriculum, ensuring alignment in all instructional plans.
• Develop long-term plans, units, and lessons using backward design, with a focus on student mastery and culminating performances.
• Plan lessons that foster creativity, body awareness, and discipline, and that meet the diverse learning needs of students.
• Differentiate instruction to effectively address the unique needs of each student, including those with varying physical abilities.
• Implement and reinforce school-wide culture and management policies both in the dance studio/classroom and across the school.
• Foster a positive learning atmosphere that encourages student self-efficacy, independence, and confidence in self-expression.
• Plan and direct school-wide dance performances, showcases, and assemblies that celebrate student growth and achievement.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues to support student success.
• Incorporate students' backgrounds, cultures, and experiences into choreography and instruction, valuing their unique contributions.
• Communicate proactively and effectively with parents, students, staff, and guests through various channels.
• Uphold the school’s vision, mission, and values by actively engaging with families and communities through open communication and events.
• Engage in professional development by collaborating with colleagues, reflecting on instructional practices, and continuously seeking ways to improve.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, attending extended professional development and modeling professionalism in behavior and attire.
• Adhere to all school policies, complete clerical tasks as needed, and take leadership roles in school-wide initiatives and committees.

Qualifications

• Dance Education certification (PreK–12), or willingness to become certified
• Eligible for hire by Baltimore City Public Schools
• Two years of dance teaching or professional/performance experience (Strongly Preferred)
• Passion for working with students from historically resilient communities
• Experience teaching in a predominantly African American environment (Preferred)

Desired Qualities

• Artistry That Empowers: Deep mastery of dance technique and choreography, talent for making movement come alive for students, and a guiding presence that helps students connect what they learn in the studio to creative and physical expression that lasts well beyond the school day.
• Data-Driven Excellence: Driven by student success, using data like a compass to adjust instruction in real time, engaging in a continuous cycle of planning, delivering, assessing, and reflecting, always focused on helping students reach their next milestone.
• Joyful and Inclusive Studio: Creating a space where every student feels seen, heard, and respected, regardless of prior dance experience, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning, and fostering independence and promoting student voice through movement.
• Reflective Leadership and Growth: Seeing every challenge as an opportunity, a lifelong learner who seeks feedback and refines their practice, uses self-awareness to strengthen relationships with students and colleagues.
• Planned and Prepared: Approaching each day with intention and purpose, thoroughly preparing lessons to ensure every student can achieve success, creating dynamic, impactful learning experiences that resonate with students.

Additional Information

As a Baltimore City Schools employee, you'll receive a competitive salary with opportunities for growth. Benefits include health insurance (Kaiser, BlueChoice, CareFirst), dental and vision coverage, prescription medication, and retirement plans through the State of Maryland or City of Baltimore, plus optional 403(b) savings plans. Additional benefits include life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance counseling, dependent child tuition waivers, and higher education tuition reimbursement.

Application Steps

• Submit an Online KIPP Application
• Complete a Phone Interview
• Complete the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) Application
• Submit a Sample Video Lesson and On-site Interview
• Participate in an On-site Interview

Statement of Non-Discrimination

KIPP Baltimore is committed to the ideal of diversity in its student body and in its faculty and staff. KIPP Baltimore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnicity. We are strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.