Drama Teacher And Middle School Production Director

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum built on the philosophy of Maria Montessori to children aged two years through eighth grade. Students work and learn in mixed-age classes led by teaching teams of thoughtful and well-trained professionals. The students have exposure to a full range of academic and artistic courses. BHMS also offers an afterschool program and a summer day camp. The School is housed in a beautiful facility in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn and is ideally located for convenient access to all parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer seeking candidates who will embrace the tenets of Montessori Education, including the principles of community, educational and professional excellence, social justice, and equity.

Drama Teacherand Middle School Production Director

Start Date: Late August 2024

Reports to: VAPA Coordinator

Brief Description: The Drama Teacher will work in conjunction with Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Team, the VAPA Coordinator to teach drama to students in the Twos, Kindergarten, Lower and Upper Elementary, and Middle School programs (students in grades EC-8) in accordance with the BHMS mission, the Statement of Diversity, the principles of Montessori educational philosophy and practices, the curriculum, and the policies of Brooklyn Heights Montessori School. This position is full-time.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide a high standard of care and teaching to students during school hours, including vigilance around both safety and learning
• Prepare lessons in collaboration VAPA team for the Twos, Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School students
• Develop, review, and update curriculum and curriculum maps as needed in conjunction VAPA team, VAPA Coordinator, and Assistant Head of School
• Prepare annual statement of goals and objectives for professional development and evaluation
• Attend school in accordance with the times set forth in the letter of agreement
• Maintain a “prepared” environment in the classroom and other areas used for instruction
• Maintain student records regarding attendance, achievement, and report-writing
• Prepare conference notes and reports for parents in accordance with the established policies of Brooklyn Heights Montessori School
• Attend and participate in school-wide evening meetings, such as Back-to-School Night, Parent Education, and Community events
• Teach Twos and Kindergarten drama classes.
• Teach basic acting skills to Lower Elementary students.
• Create and teach short plays based on the Lower and Upper Elementary world cultures curriculum.
• Teach introductory Acting I to Upper Elementary students and Acting II to Middle School students with a focus on vocal and physical acting, improvisation, and playwriting.
• Write and submit reports based on programs’ timelines.
• Teach a wide range of theatrical texts.
• Direct and oversee the year-long Middle School production
• Prepare and rehearse Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary Presentations, and Selectives Trimester performances.
• Attend VAPA, Faculty and Staff, and program meetings.
• Establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with students, parents, and other teachers and school personnel
• Comply with the established policies and procedures of Brooklyn Heights Montessori School as stated in the Faculty & Staff Handbook
• Model as fully as possible the values in the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School Mission Statement, Diversity Statement, and Community Norms
• Perform various reasonable tasks from time to time as requested by the Head of Elementary Programs, the Assistant Head of School, or Head of School

Skills and Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Theater Arts or Theater Education required, Masters preferred.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Minimum 3 years full-time experience teaching Drama, play building, and directing productions.
• Teaching experience Early Childhood through Middle School students.
• Knowledge of diverse classical and modern theater texts.
• Experience in theater production and knowledge of lights, sound, set, and costume design.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• Montessori experience, preferred.
• Strong work ethic and sense of humor.
• Lively curiosity and joy in working on challenging, fun material with students.
• Connection to the BHMS drama program’s core values of generosity, fearlessness, and respect.

Experience with any or all of the following are also desirable:

Suzuki, Viewpoints as used by Anne Bogart, Shakespeare, Stanislavski, stage combat, clowning, Commedia dell’Arte, improv, theater games, gymnastics, dance, or other physical modalities, stage combat, original writing by teachers and/or students, comfortable teaching elements of Linklater vocal training.
No phone calls, please.

Salary range is $76,650-82,000 based on experience and alignment with Brooklyn Heights Montessori School salary scale.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity, social justice and equity. In that spirit, BHMS does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, national or ethnic origin, ancestry or any other characteristic.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:
The facts stated in this application for employment and any supplementary materials (i.e.: resume and educational history) are true and complete. I understand that false or inaccurate statements or omissions of material facts shall be grounds for denial of employment and, if employed, for immediate dismissal. I authorize Brooklyn Heights Montessori School to investigate all statements and claims contained within this application, supplementary materials, and subsequent interviews, and acknowledge and agree that Brooklyn Heights Montessori School may check references from sources other than those references listed herein. I hereby release all current and former employers from any charges or damages for releasing any and all employment information, whether subjective or objective, to Brooklyn Heights Montessori School. I also understand that an offer or acceptance of employment does not create a contract of employment or otherwise alter the at-will nature of my employment with Brooklyn Heights Montessori School.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, in compliance with New York City Administrative Code §21-119 (derived from Local Law 60/1984) and section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law, will require all employees to submit to a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and a records search of the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment for the existence of reports of child abuse and maltreatment.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer seeking candidates who will embrace the tenets of Montessori Education, including the principles of community, educational and professional excellence, social justice, and equity.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity, social justice and equity. In that spirit, BHMS does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, national or ethnic origin, ancestry or any other characteristic.

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