Music Teacher and Accompanist Leave Replaceme

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses—one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. The Fieldston Middle and Upper campus in Riverdale has approximately 400 students in 6th–8th grades and 600 students in 9th–12th grade.

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

About the role

We are seeking a Music Teacher and Accompanist leave replacement who is a highly experienced chorus teacher and pianist passionate about working with middle and high school-aged students. The candidate must be both a teacher and a skilled pianist, creating an inclusive space and placing the highest premium on belonging and inclusion. This is a part-time leave replacement position beginning September 1, 2026, through March 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension through the end of the school year. It is a 0.50 FTE (full-time equivalency) role. Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely.

Responsibilities

• Teaching 4 class periods per week of 7th grade chorus;
• Accompanying the upper and middle school chorus on piano approximately 10 hours per week;
• Performing as the accompanist at all music events such as chorus concerts, opera performances, assemblies, and other related music rehearsals as needed;
• Collaborating with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;
• Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians at scheduled conferences;
• Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm;
• Maintaining accurate student record-keeping including grades and attendance;
• Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth;
• Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;
• Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;
• Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards;
• Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in Music, Education, or a related area;
• A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;
• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community;
• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;
• Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills;
• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;
• The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks;
• A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (e.g., Google Workspace tools);
• The ability to work evenings and weekends as needed;
• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance;
• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

Pay

The hiring range for this role is $21,951–$53,908.