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Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools!
Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is located in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Chicago and Detroit), serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, we offer a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education.
In 2017, BCPS received an historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and we are continuing our transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career, college, and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school. In May of 2023, we were thrilled to announce an average teacher pay increase of more than $10,000, positioning us as one of the best-paying districts for teachers in Southwest Michigan.
We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits (including up to $20k in home purchase assistance), and opportunities for professional development. Apply now and join the Bearcat family!
Position Summary:
Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is seeking an enthusiastic and talented Dance Instructor to engage students in grades K-8 through an arts-integrated curriculum that combines dance with core academic subjects such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and technology. This instructor will inspire students to explore movement as a form of storytelling, self-expression, and personal growth, fostering artistic expression and interdisciplinary learning. Through dynamic, studio-like classrooms, students will connect academic concepts with creative expression, enhancing critical thinking, cultural awareness, and essential academic skills.
In the early grades (K-2), students will engage in dance exploration, sparking curiosity and creativity. As they move into grades 3-5, they will focus on building foundational dance knowledge and skills. In middle school (grades 6-8), students will have the opportunity to choose a major and minor arts discipline, allowing for personalized learning that fosters empathy, self-awareness, and cultural competency.
The ideal candidate will promote collaboration and creativity, helping students develop storytelling, sequencing, cultural appreciation, and technological proficiency through dance. Teachers will also participate in professional development, collaborative planning, and partnerships with community and arts organizations to deliver meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
Position Responsibilities:

• Dance Instruction: Teach fundamental dance techniques, building students' confidence, coordination, and appreciation for movement as both an art and a fitness practice.
• Cultural Awareness in Dance: Guide students in understanding the historical and cultural significance of dance, exploring how different traditions, styles, and histories shape dance worldwide.
• Interdisciplinary Instruction: Integrate dance with core subjects like language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to enhance students' academic and creative understanding.
• Creative Movement and Storytelling: Support students in developing original choreography and exploring personal and cultural narratives.
• Classroom Culture: Create a dynamic, inclusive, and safe classroom environment that fosters collaboration, self-expression, and personal growth.
• Differentiated Instruction: Tailor lessons to meet diverse student needs, ensuring meaningful, accessible, and challenging experiences.
• Assessment and Reflection: Develop assessments to measure students' technical skills, creative expression, and interdisciplinary understanding, promoting self-reflection and constructive peer feedback.
• Performance and Creation: Teach various dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip-hop, cultural dances) and encourage performance opportunities that integrate multiple art forms.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning to refine arts-integrated instruction, DEI principles, student-centered learning, and climate management practices.
• Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices in dance, and arts-integrated instruction.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with faculty across arts and academic departments to design integrated curricula that link dance and physical education with artistic practices and academics.
• Collaborate with Colleagues and Community Partners: Work with other educators and community organizations to provide integrated educational experiences connecting social studies and culture with broader learning goals that support authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences, experiential learning opportunities, and community sustainability.
• Parental Communication and Engagement: Maintain regular communication with parents on student progress and development, while fostering an actively supportive and informed school community.

Event Coordination and Participation

• Activity Leadership: Lead student activities that promote dance, community service, and cultural events.
• Showcases & Exhibitions: Plan and coordinate student showcases and exhibitions highlighting student and community creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in dance and physical education.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Dance Education or related field.
• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Dance (MH) endorsement, or ability to obtain.
• Experience teaching various dance styles (ballet, modern, hip-hop, cultural dances) and integrating dance with academic content.
• A practicing artist with a passion for arts education.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of biomechanics, kinesiology, and safe movement practices.
• Knowledge or willingness to adopt the Studio Habits of Mind framework and CASEL's social-emotional learning competencies.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Core Values and Professional Standards:

• Commitment to School Vision: Align instruction and culture-building efforts with the school's mission to nurture adaptable, compassionate global citizens, fostering growth in creative, intellectual, and social-emotional domains.
• Student-Centered Teaching and Learning: Provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their education through active participation, personalized instruction, and collaborative reflection.
• Arts-Integrated Education: Actively use creative expression to foster social responsibility and holistic student development, integrating arts practices across disciplines to deepen understanding and enhance learning.
• Collaborative Leadership: Engage with colleagues, families, and community partners to create a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that reflects shared values and promotes collective success.
• Excellence in Teaching: Commit to developing students into creative, intellectual, and responsible global citizens through high-quality instruction, effective climate management, and arts-integrated practices.
• Commitment to Fairness and Opportunity: Advocate for fairness and the equal treatment of all students, ensuring opportunities for success in the arts and beyond while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.

Salary: $51,500 $87,883 (Potential for additional stipends)
Contract: 188 Days (10 months)
SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment.  All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.