3rd-5th Grade Music Teacher

Title: 3rd-5th Grade Music Teacher

Reports to: Lower School Division Head

Status: Academic Year Full-Time/Exempt

MCDS is an independent, K-8, co-educational school of 600 students. Our mission is to create an inclusive community of learning that inspires curiosity, empathy, and action. Rooted in our values of respect, responsibility, and compassion, we are an intentional community where varied perspectives and life experiences are vital to our collective growth and the strength of our program.

Our Academic & Community Programming: We model teaching excellence through student-centered, differentiated instruction framed around experiential and place-based education. Our 35-acre campus on the hillside of Ring Mountain serves as a living laboratory where students engage directly with environmental sustainability. Our academic program is purposefully scaffolded around three key skill areas—literacy, mathematics, and writing—partnered closely with the developmental milestones and social-emotional needs of our learners.

A Culture of Professional Learning: MCDS is devoted to cultivating an inspiring professional learning environment where adults are engaged in growth throughout the trajectory of their time here. We provide robust funding and time for professional development, encouraging practitioners to seek constant improvement as educators, team members, and community leaders.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Instructional Leadership: Teach music classes to students in third, fourth, and fifth grades, including directing performances and co-leading assemblies.
Collaboration: Partner weekly with grade-level homeroom teachers and Student Support Services to ensure support for all learners. Meet regularly with the performing arts team to support whole school events multiple times a year.
Community: Maintain proactive, transparent partnerships with families through aligned communication; participate in school-wide committees and admissions events.
Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Music required; Master’s Degree and Orff certification preferred.
Music experience: Strong piano and/or guitar skills for accompanying students; experience leading and directing large scale performances.

Values & Pedagogical Alignment:  Training in Orff and Kodaly methods strongly preferred. Expertise and commitment to musical pedagogy that combines singing, movement, listening, instrumental work, music theory, and creation. A commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusive teaching practices, and expertise in culturally responsive instruction education.

Communication: Mastery of aligned communication practices that foster trust and consistency within the school community.

Mindset: Commitment to professional growth, reflective practice, and a collaborative “team-first” approach.

Compensation and Benefits:

The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is  $68,255 – $136,510. The starting salary is based upon years of experience.

We offer a compensation and benefits package that includes fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contributions toward dependent coverage, a generous retirement plan match with retirement planning support, short-term/long-term disability insurance, a flexible spending account, employee assistance program and free lunch.

Additional benefits include professional development opportunities, tuition discounts for employees’ children attending MCDS, and up to four weeks of additional paid support (coordinated with state benefits) when welcoming a new child. Relocation assistance may be available. Eligibility requirements apply.

In deciding whether to apply for a position at Marin Country Day School, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with the school’s.

The School does not provide employment visa sponsorship. All employees must be authorized to work in the United States as a condition of employment.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and statement of education philosophy to employment@mcds.org.

Marin Country Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field.