Vocal Music Teacher

About SEED:

The mission of SEED Schools is to provide students with a rigorous, college preparatory, tuition-free boarding school model that prepares them for success in college and careers.

The SEED School of Los Angeles County (SEED LA) opened in Fall 2022 as California’s first urban public, college preparatory boarding school, the fourth SEED school in the nation. Building a ninth-grade cohort each year, SEED LA will serve 9th-11th grade students for this 2024-2025 academic year. By the 2025-2026 school year, SEED LA will empower roughly 400 students in Grades 9-12 to achieve their full potential through our 24-hour learning environment. Our partnership with LA Metro provides a unique opportunity for students to advance their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while engaging in hands-on learning in the transportation and infrastructure fields.

Our innovative model integrates a rigorous academic program with a nurturing boarding program that develops the whole child. This boarding school model provides a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing urban youth and serves as a prototype for expansion nationwide. All SEED students live on campus between Sunday evenings and Friday afternoons. Our model has proven successful: over 90 percent of SEED graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities throughout the country and over 60 percent remain enrolled in college or have already earned college degrees.

The success of the SEED model has been showcased in media outlets and publications such as 60 Minutes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and in the documentary film, Waiting for Superman. President Barack Obama has hailed SEED as “a true success story".

More information can be found on the school’s website: www.seedschoolla.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The SEED School of Los Angeles County is looking for a Choral/Vocal Music Teacher to join its team. The Choral/Vocal Music Teacher will cultivate a rigorous, instructional culture where scholars will learn to understand that becoming a well-rounded musician will aid in our mission to prepare them to meet the demands of college and maneuver the world as a productive citizen. in our music classrooms, scholars engage with music nearly every day; engaging in activities that build their understanding that creativity and expression are pathways to knowledge, developing the critical thinking skills and collaborative spirit necessary for long-term success. Scholars ground daily performance and practice in evidence-based techniques. Scholars will interface with daily practice performing as singers, and active participants in their communities to be successful in college and career. Additionally, in our music classrooms we require scholars to do the thinking while engaging with meaningful content. 

Our instructional vision for music emphasizes that students need to experience creating music to be successful musicians and 21st-century citizens. They need to perform, not only as singers and instrumentalists but also in their lives and careers, understanding the importance of discipline and public presentation. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide Excellent College-Preparatory Instruction to all Scholars

• Foster a classroom culture and environment of high expectations for all scholars that is grounded in a belief that each scholar can learn and achieve at college-preparatory levels
• Effectively plan, design, and deliver instruction from the assigned grade level curriculum and provide supports to reach every scholar, regardless of prior academic background, disability, or English language fluency
• Engage in internalizing assigned curriculum, tied to specific grade level, content standards in teacher teams and individually to prepare daily lesson plans, instructional materials, and formative assessments aligned to rigorous college-ready standards (i.e., National Music Core Standards)
• Welcome and incorporate feedback from the coaching, guidance, and feedback provided by school leaders, instructional coaches, and content specialists 
• Collaborate across the Arts and special education teams to progress monitor in support of students’ IEP goals and Academic Performance Plans, in addition to executing the five varying co-teaching models with the SPED Inclusion Teacher
• Gauge scholars' prior knowledge of music to aid in teaching them beginning music theory, aural skills, and practical techniques, such as vocalization, harmonizing, singing, reading rhythms/notes, and sight reading/singing.

• Serve as a member of the Arts Team to curriculum map based on 9th - 12th arts scope and sequence and build scholars' interdisciplinary skills needed in a high school environment including but not limited to: critical thinking skills, creativity, and engagement/collaboration.
• Support in the development of the GRASPS Project Based Assessments for Honors and Advanced courses 
• Conduct vocal training, and lead group rehearsal of all the selections.
• Build scholars' repertoire across a variety of genres and introduce them to new musical discoveries
• Plan and execute performances for the scholars' to present to friends, family, and the community.
• Other duties as assigned/needed

Cultivate a Culture of Deliberate Instructional Excellence

• Exhibit a continuous improvement mindset to provide scholars opportunities aligned to the Profile of a SEED Graduate
• Embody the Core Belief Statements of SEED
• Ensure timely and high-quality submission of school requirements such as intellectual preparation/lesson plans, unit plans, and re-teaching plans
• Provide a coherent and supportive classroom culture aligned to the school-wide culture policy and keep documentation of all interventions taken to support scholar engagement, learning, and well-being
• Maintain accurate, current records for attendance and coursework, and submit timely completed report cards and school-wide assessment records

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

The Ideal Candidate will have: 

• A commitment to SEED’s mission and belief that with the right resources, any child can attend college and achieve their dreams
• A commitment to SEED’s core values of: COMPASSION, GRATITUDE, GROWTH, INTEGRITY, PERSEVERANCE, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY
• A commitment to equity, leadership, and a focus on data-driven results
• Minimum of 1-3 years Music teaching experience with a proven track record
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as a part of multiple teams
• Experience working with diverse student populations in an urban setting
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit to thrive in a start-up organization and to be able to create and implement systems that drives student achievement
• Certification
• Possess and maintain a valid California Teaching Credential or ability to obtain this credential in California by August 1, 2024, through one of the following pathways:
• California Single Subject Credential (Clear or Preliminary) in Music
• Non-California Credential transferring to California with proof of transferring credential in progress 
• Proof of California Credential in progress
• California University Internship Credential Eligible
• Active California teacher certification in the assigned subject area(s) and a valid English Learner Authorization (e.g. CLAD)  
• For Out-of-State or Non-Credentialed Applicants:
• Before applying, visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (https://www.ctc.ca.gov/) to assess teaching eligibility in a California public school as of July 2024

Benefits

Employee Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The teacher salary range is $72,000-$108,000, depending on education and years of experience. For teachers who have yet to obtain their credentials or those currently enrolled in a credentialing program or intern-eligible, the 2024-25 salary range is between $62,000 and $68,000.

The benefits package also includes paid sick leave, holiday pay, a generous 403b retirement plan, and health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The SEED School of Los Angeles County (SEED LA) is committed to the letter and spirit of equality, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  SEED LA does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, and other programs.