Job Description

Summary

The Performing Arts Department at Albuquerque Academy seeks a passionate, energetic, versatile, and academically grounded Dance teacher to join our faculty, teaching students of all abilities in grades 6-12. We are looking for someone who is patient, engaging, and inspires a love of Dance in all students, works well with colleagues, and enjoys thinking about the art of teaching Dance. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between rigorous classical technique and the rich diversity of global movement traditions. We are looking for an educator who doesn't just teach steps but fosters a deep cultural and kinesthetic understanding of dance as a global art form.

Diversity is a core value at Albuquerque Academy, and we seek candidates who demonstrate an abiding commitment to equity and belonging.

All teachers at Albuquerque Academy approach their work in accordance with the values in our mission and in a spirit of kindness, professionalism, generosity, and civility to all members of the community. An education at the Academy focuses on the whole child, and teachers and administrators are expected to teach well and also to function as adult mentors for students, in and out of the classroom. Our community norms, listed below, underlie our school culture, and all community members are expected to commit themselves fully to them.

• Value and respect the diverse contributions of each person in the community.
• Assume positive intent and inquire if you are left with questions or concerns.
• Engage in face-to-face direct conversations; be clear, open, and honest in your conversations.
• Be present and participate.

Strong candidates are attracted to our mission and see themselves as engaged community members. They will need to create and implement relevant curriculum and varied assessments for their four classes. Outside the classroom, our teachers work with students in ways that foster their growth and development into effective community members. The teacher’s daily activities include classroom teaching, advising, being available to students for assistance, supporting extracurricular activities, and serving the school community in a variety of other ways. The teacher reports to the department chair and to the division head.

Faculty positions in the Performing Arts Department require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience is strongly preferred. Familiarity with Classical Ballet, Modern Dance and Global Dance curricula is required. The Albuquerque Academy Performing Arts Department offers courses from entry level dance for 6^th graders to advanced dance studies for students planning on dance majors in college.

Albuquerque Academy seeks to maintain a diverse and energetic faculty to work with over 1100 highly capable students, including over 50% students of color. We encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities. The position is open until filled, and applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest and resume along with their online application. Please explain why Albuquerque Academy is the right fit for you and detail how you inspire a love of learning and passion for Dance.

Essential Functions

• Teach classes from entry-level to high-level in Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, and Global Dance Styles, focusing on alignment, terminology, injury prevention, and movement.
• Design thoughtful lessons and activities for four sections of dance. Teaching assignments may vary from year to year.
• Choreograph original works for student showcases that highlight both classical and global fusion aesthetics.
• Provide academic and artistic guidance to students pursuing professional careers in dance and performance studies.
• Assist in evolving the dance program to reflect a decolonized and inclusive approach to movement history and practice.
• Support extracurricular dance ensembles and work with the theatre and music programs on collaborative projects, including choreographing for musical theatre productions.
• Help students demonstrate their thinking clearly and systematically.
• Be available to students outside of class throughout the school day for additional help.
• Design formal and informal assessments that measure student progress. Employ a variety of formative and summative assessments to gauge student progress toward mastery.
• Give timely feedback and grades on written work, projects, tests and movement assessment.
• Collaborate with parents and other teachers to offer individualized support of each student’s learning goals.
• Communicate effectively with students and families about classwork, learning goals, and student progress including writing comments home to parents at least once a semester.
• Use the school’s learning management system to keep students informed about their responsibilities, grades, and expectations.
• Foster and maintain a culture of mutual respect, equitable practice, and joy, in and out of the classroom. Demonstrate cultural competence and communicate and collaborate effectively across differences.
• Set high expectations for student learning, academic achievement, and character development.
• Serve as adviser, engaging in the advising curriculum.
• Continue to advance personal understanding of pedagogy by reading, attending conferences and workshops, and participating in the school’s professional growth and development plan.

Other Responsibilities

• Attend lunch, provided free to faculty, to help to monitor the dining hall.
• Attend full-faculty, divisional, and departmental meetings, as well as other meetings as needed.
• Attend and support divisional or school activities including other duties such as chaperoning dances, monitoring supervised study hall, proctoring standardized tests, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in Dance/Performance Studies is required.
• Advanced studies, professional experience, and/or a master’s degree are preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• A deep respect for the origins of global dance forms and a commitment to teaching them with authenticity and integrity.
• Eagerness to work with the music and theater departments for cross-disciplinary projects.
• Deep knowledge of the course content in a Classical Ballet, Modern, and Global Dance, and the ability to convey that knowledge to students clearly and coherently.
• Expertise in choreography for small and large groups across all of the course offerings, and an ability to choreograph and work with students in a musical theatre setting.
• Demonstrable and effective classroom management skills.
• Ability to work well with people, especially adolescents.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Capacity to work independently and on a team.
• Excellent communication and public-relations skills.
• Strong organizational skills and time-management skills.
• Computer skills including desktop publishing, and Microsoft Office software, learning management systems, and online teaching techniques.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Experience

• 2-5 years prior teaching experience is preferred.
• Prior experience with adolescents is preferred.

Working Environment

• Generally, teaching is performed indoors in a classroom or office setting.
• Hours are generally from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, from mid-August to early June.
• Coaching, extracurricular, or other chaperoning/sponsoring duties may take place outdoors and may extend into pre-school hours, the late afternoon/evening, or weekends.

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. Must be able to traverse school facility and lead students to safety in the event of an emergency. Involves long periods of standing/sitting.  Frequently involves carrying textbooks and classroom supplies, communicating/speaking, retrieving files and supplies, writing, using a computer, and reading for preparing daily teaching and grading.

EEO/ADA Compliance

Albuquerque Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Academy will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

About Albuquerque Academy

Albuquerque Academy is a leading independent, coeducational, day school serving approximately 1,200 students in grades six through twelve. The Academy’s resources are committed to a mission comprising accessibility, affordability, excellence, caring, and outreach as we serve the greater Albuquerque area. As part of this mission, the school has attracted some of the finest students and educators in the country to its extensive facilities on a natural 312-acre site within the city limits of Albuquerque. For further information about the Academy we encourage interested candidates to go to the school’s web site at www.aa.edu .

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