Band Teacher - Upper School

About Us

The Fessenden School is an all boys independent day and boarding school serving 525 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 9th Grade in West Newton, MA.  The Fessenden School’s mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community.  For more than 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational needs of boys.

Position Summary

The Fessenden School seeks a full time Band Teacher. The teacher will be responsible for teaching 4th grade Woodwinds, Middle School Band (5th and 6th grades), Concert Band (7th-9th grades), and Honors Band (7th-9th grades.) A member of the Arts team, the teacher will work closely with the music faculty team to plan curriculum and execute concert performances throughout the year. In addition, the teacher will serve as an Upper School Advisor.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach and stay current with curriculum and 21st century learning

• Incorporate project based learning, educational technology, differentiated learning and cultural competency in lessons

• Collaborate and facilitate character education and service learning programs with Upper School Head 

• Exemplify the School’s mission and community principles, including honesty, respect and compassion 

• Participate in and help facilitate all division and grade level activities and meetings

• Coach a sport and/ or supervise sports study hall as assigned

• Collaborate with colleagues within grade level, division, department and student support services, including the Learning Resources Department

• Perform duties such as supervising drop off and dismissal, recess, lunch; being a homeroom teacher and/or advisor, grade team member, student club facilitator: leading/assisting with fall orientation, grade trips, overnight grade trips and events.

• Maintain all documentation connected with the curriculum and students

• Attend faculty meetings; typically on Mondays from 4:30pm to 5:45pm

• Attend professional development meetings; three 8:30am to 4:00pm and three 3:00pm to 5:00pm

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance

• Maintain current CPR/AED & first aid certification and child abuse prevention training

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 year degree in Education or Music Performance 

• 2+ years of music teaching experience

• Strong instrumental skills

• Enthusiasm and communication skills to engage boys and build meaningful relationships

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage a classroom

• Ability to perform critical thinking, organization, prioritization, and problem solving with minimal supervision

• Ability to serve in a diverse community of colleagues, students, and parents

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, social justice, diversity, and equity

• A commitment to boys and boys’ education

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in education or related subject

• Teaching certification 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. The requirements for performing the duties of this position are as follows: 

• Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear 

• Regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch and/or kneel

• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds

• Majority of work is performed in a school/classroom environment, and the noise level in the environment is usually moderate.

To Apply

Every applicant must submit a cover letter, resume, and three references through the Fessenden Career Website. Other pertinent materials may be submitted as well if desired.