6-12 Dance Teacher & Choreographer

DEPARTMENT:

Middle or Upper School Faculty / Arts

REPORTS TO:

Director of Arts

JOB CATEGORY

Faculty

OVERVIEW:

Arts Teachers at Kent Denver School are experienced, energetic, and innovative educators who demonstrate a strong commitment to student-centered learning and active, inclusive classroom practices. They collaborate closely with departmental and divisional colleagues to design and deliver an engaging and developmentally appropriate curriculum and contribute positively to the intellectual and cultural life of the school.

The Dance Teacher & Choreographer is responsible for teaching contemporary dance to students in grades 6-12 and for building a dynamic, inclusive dance program within the visual and performing arts programming. This full-time position includes teaching in the teacher's area(s) of arts expertise, student advising, and additional responsibilities typical of Upper & Middle School faculty.

With a new state-of-the-art dance studio and the opportunity to design curriculum and programming aligned with the school's vision and mission, the preferred candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, creative vision, instructional expertise, and choreographic skill.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

General Teaching Duties

• Teach four sections of contemporary dance courses for students in grades 6-12

• Choreograph school theater productions in Middle and Upper School

• Advise a group of students

• Other duties to be determined, which may include conducting test proctoring, monitoring detention, or supporting other school programs

• Complete routine administrative work in a timely fashion and in accordance with our school policies and practices, including taking attendance, grading, comment writing, student-parent conferences, office hours, and LMS use

• Participate in department, division, all-school meetings, and professional development days

• Differentiate instruction to support a range of experience levels and learning styles

• Foster a classroom and studio culture that emphasizes discipline, inclusion, creativity, collaboration, and respect

Program Development & Curriculum Design

• Design, implement, and grow a comprehensive dance program for grades 6-12

• Develop curriculum aligned with programmatic goals and school mission, including pathways for student progression from introductory through advanced levels

• Create performance opportunities that showcase student learning and artistic growth

Choreography & Performance

• Choreograph original works for school performances, concerts, and showcases

• Collaborate effectively with theater faculty to choreograph and support musical theater productions; may include direction of movement

• May include directing and choreographing theater productions, depending on show selection and expertise

• Support production processes in collaboration with directors, designers, and technical staff

• Foster a structured, inclusive, and supportive studio environment that encourages student creativity, discipline, leadership, community, and artistic risk-taking

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Dance, Dance Education, or a related field, such as Musical Theater, Theater Education, Devised Performance (or equivalent professional experience)

• Minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience

• Demonstrated experience in choreography for student performances

• Experience directing or collaborating on theatrical or musical productions

• Graduate degree in performance, choreography/direction, and/or education preferred

ATTRIBUTES

Our Teachers:

• Believe in the central importance of diversity and inclusion in the life of the school

• Work to be inclusive so that every student can see themselves in their classrooms, curricula, and disciplines

• Are deeply knowledgeable in their fields

• Innovate to find the most compelling learning experiences for their students

• Experiment in their search for best teaching practices

• Collaborate authentically with colleagues and the broader educator community

• Seek feedback on the performance of all aspects of their professional life

• Make student wellness central to the student learning experience

• Are committed to lifelong professional growth

• Are engaged in social-emotional learning for themselves, their students, and their advisees

• Are enthusiastic and positive about teaching and being a Kent Denver teacher

• Are helping us to make something rather than doing what has always been done