2026-2027 Lower School Music Teacher

About Burkes

Burkes is an independent K-8 gender-inclusive all-girls school located on a 3.5-acre campus in San Francisco and is one of Californias leading elementary schools with a 116-year tradition of educational excellence. The school combines strong academic and co-curricular programs with an emphasis on project-based learning and personal growth in a diverse and inclusive community. Burkes emphasizes the development of fundamental and higher-level critical thinking skills in an atmosphere of creativity exploration academic rigor and joyful learning.

Position Summary

We are looking for a dynamic educator to teach Lower School music to kindergarten through fourth grade students. An ideal candidate would be patient creative and possess a genuine passion for working with young children. They would also be interested in learning and growing as a professional willing and able to collaborate with colleagues and experienced in best practices including dedication to diversity equity and inclusion.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinating developing and delivering the kindergarten through fourth-grade music curriculum in a dedicated music classroom including grade-level and schoolwide concerts performances and weekly Lower School assemblies.
• Incorporating effective strategies for differentiation and assessment.
• Fostering an inclusive classroom environment through supportive exchanges with students and clear expectations for community behavior using techniques from Responsive Classroom.
• Partnering and communicating effectively with parents through multiple means including phone in person email as needed in two report cards and through newsletters/blogs.
• Participating in field trips overnight trips and special projects to support the program.
• Collaborating with the Lower School Theater teacher classroom teachers and the Upper School music teacher for school-wide and grade-specific programming.
• Being a positive and contributing member of the professional community at Burkes.

Qualifications & Skills

Below are the personal and professional qualities we believe are important for the success of the person in this role. Unless specifically noted as a prerequisite for the role these qualifications and skills are preferred. We know many candidates bring a full complement of experience skills and ideas even if they dont check every box of a job description. If you meet many of our criteria please dont hesitate to apply. Every application gets serious consideration including those with skill sets that we may not have included here. We welcome all applicants who will bring a unique perspective and personal characteristics to our amazing team.

• Bachelors Degree and teaching credential or advanced degree in a related field
• Experience teaching music to young children in a school setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with:
• Strong musicianship skills including proficiency on one or more musical instruments and experience leading performances including all school musical events
• Levels Training certification or experience in the Orff Schulwerk approach and philosophy as well as knowledge of Kodaly methodology
• Responsive Classroom philosophy and classroom management techniques
• Understanding by Design approach to curriculum design
• Designing instruction that is student-centered differentiated and engaging
• Designing and using assessments that drive and support learning
• Using technology to support teaching and learning
• Equitable and anti-racist teaching practices
• Providing opportunities for learning through play by inviting creativity imagination curiosity and tinkering into the classroom

Burkes does not sponsor employment visas. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Burkes is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race color age religion national origin sex (including pregnancy childbirth and related medical conditions) genetic information physical or mental disability medical condition citizenship status sexual orientation gender identity gender expression marital status military or veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal state or local laws.

California Compliance Notice:

In accordance with California law (Education Code 44939.5 as amended by SB 848) applicants for positions with educational institutions are required to disclose all current and former employment with California educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications

Compensation

Burkes offers competitive compensation based on a salary scale ranging from $87100 to $153800 for 5 years of prior experience plus position requirements. Advanced degree stipends are in addition to base compensation. Comprehensive benefits are provided including retirement plan contributions. The contract period starts on August 11 2026 with two weeks of on-campus preparation and meetings.

Required Experience:

IC