Dance Teacher - Temporary Coverage Fall Semester

Position: Dance Teacher - Temporary Coverage Fall Semester
Department: Upper School - Performing Arts
Location: Kellner Performing Arts Center - Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA
Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends
FLSA: Exempt
Classification: Faculty (Fall Semester of 2024-25 Academic Year)
Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K-12 school, boarding and day in grades 9-12, located just outside of Boston.
Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.
In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, "Dare to be true."
Summary of Position:
The Upper School is seeking a Dance Teacher for the Fall Semester starting August 19, 2024, and ending January 31, 2025. Duties will include teaching dance technique courses, including Choreography, directing the Winter Dance Concert which includes adjudicating and mentoring student choreographers, and choreographing the fall musical. This person will work closely with members of the performing arts department. Other faculty member responsibilities at Milton Academy include advising and community activities. Please see the full job description for more information.
**Please note that this is a one-semester position for the fall of 2024-25; the position may be eligible for renewal depending on school needs.**
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Teaching and Curriculum

• Teach beginning through advanced level courses in choreography, ballet, and modern dance techniques. Incorporate elements of American dance history and dance analysis into the curriculum.
• Direct Winter Dance Concert; oversee casting, scheduling, costuming, and all aspects of production. Choreograph 2-3 original dance pieces annually, attend to all department dance and movement needs for productions.
• Choreograph the Fall Musical
• Mentor 15-20 student choreographers annually during the Winter Dance Concert. Support student story-telling through a diverse array of dance styles and cultural expressions.
• Create a student-centered learning atmosphere that fosters critical thinking and creative risk taking and a positive classroom environment that encourages student participation and discussion.
• Adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
• Stay informed about the latest developments in performing arts education, trends, and innovations, and incorporate these into the program.
• Learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education; incorporate related principles when designing curriculum, teaching, and engaging with students.
• Actively support students, providing mentorship and academic guidance.
• Assess and evaluate student performance through assignments, projects, and exams.
• Generate timely and comprehensive comments for each student, providing a well-rounded perspective on their academic performance.
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues regarding academic progress.

Advising

• Serve as an advisor to a group of up to nine students, engaging in advisor meetings each week.
• Connect, support, communicate, encourage, and celebrate each advisee
• Facilitate students' social-emotional learning and growth in alignment with all school programming through small group meetings.
  
  • Build deep relationships with each advisee and assist them in navigating challenges they may encounter.
  • Form relationships with and act as a liaison between the school and advisee families; serve as the first point of contact between the school and families.
• Read and be familiar with all relevant materials, most importantly the Student Handbook and the sections of the US Faculty Handbook on academic regulations and diploma requirements.
• Review each advisee's grades and comments.
• Craft formal advisor reports for each advisee two times per academic year, offering overarching perspectives on their progress, and acknowledging a broader view of their academic and community achievements at Milton.
• Should an advisee need additional support in a particular area, be in steady contact with the advisee's teachers, administrators, and/or other committees as needed.
• Attend all upper school student required weekly assemblies, programming, and special events (e.g., community service day, pep rallies).
• Attend class trips, retreats, and social events arranged by the director of student activities or the class dean.

Community

• Be a visible, accessible presence around campus.
• Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.
• Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.
• Actively participate in greater community enrichment activities, such as advising a student activity, acting as a faculty sponsor to a student club, coaching an athletic team, leading an intramural sport or acting as an affinity group advisor.
• Complete all chaperone and/or supervisory duty, as assigned; lead and facilitate weekend programming / activities and supervise recreational activities both on and off campus.

Other Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administration, and community members.
• Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.
• Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.
• Create and maintain classroom and campus environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school's values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.
• Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school's growth statements.
• Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
• Meet deadlines.
• Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.
• Prepare for and participate in opening of school programming, family visit days, graduation, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.
• Complete school-required training.
• Abide by the school's policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.
• Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Performing Arts Department Chair.
Supervision to be exercised: None.
Education/Certification/Licensure
Required: A bachelor's degree
Preferred: A master's degree
Experience
Required: A minimum of three years of proven experience in teaching and creating curriculum in dance, or relative experience.
Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding / day school
Competencies
Required:

• Training in ballet and modern dance techniques.
• Experience with choreography.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer expertise, including GoogleSuite, Microsoft Word, and Adobe.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.
• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
• Receptive to supervision and professional development.
• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

Physical Abilities
Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 4 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
• Must be able to teach in a classroom setting and use relevant instructional technology.
• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.
The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.
An equal opportunity employer, Milton embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race (including natural and protective hairstyle), color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, religious creed, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin or any other status protected by applicable law.