Assistant Teaching Artist

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” (Bloomberg News). Founded in 1980, the Dance Group performs the repertory of choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (The New York Times), whose work is acclaimed for its ingenuity, musicality, wit, and humanity. Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. In addition to 12 full-time dancers, the organization currently employs approximately 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees.

In the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, the Mark Morris Dance Center, founded in 2001, is the hub of dance and music education in Brooklyn. The nine-studio building provides affordable classes in multiple genres for people of all ages, levels, with and without disabilities, accompanied by live music. The studios, a performance space, a Wellness Center, and ancillary spaces are all available to the community and to nonprofit organizations at subsidized rates. MMDG’s Community Education Programs partner with public and private schools and community centers to provide customized classes. MMDG also offers customized dance workshops for persons with Parkinson’s disease.

MMDG programs in NYC and worldwide engage over 100,000 people annually. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion work to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) is to develop, promote and sustain dance, music, and opera productions by Mark Morris and to serve as a cultural resource to engage and enrich the community.

The Education and Engagement Programs reflect the spirit of the MMDG in its celebration of dance and music. We believe that the study of various dance forms and music is essential to a student's development, education, and enrichment. We offer a diverse range of classes for all ages and abilities and strive to be a center of artistic exploration for children, community residents and professional dancers.

Dedication to Core Values: Teaching Artists are expected to demonstrate a commitment and dedication to MMDG’s Core Values of community, access, excellence, and creativity. Propelled by these core values MMDG is committed to ongoing work on inclusion, equity, and diversity to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all. Our core values drive us to celebrate our diverse community, pursue excellence in all that we do, advance access, exposure, and opportunity to dance and music, and cultivate creativity.

Job Summary: Assistant Teaching Artists are part of MMDG’s 100+ member faculty and reporting to the Youth & Family Program Managers. Assistant Teaching Artists support the planning and delivery of Education & Engagement classes by assisting with instruction, classroom management, and content comprehension, while developing best teaching practices under the mentorship of an experienced Teaching Artist, including shared supervision of volunteers. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Class Preparation 

• Review any lesson plan or related class materials shared in advance by the lead Teaching Artist.
• Commit to a Culturally Responsive Pedagogy with the goals of supporting community by celebrating and engaging in the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of individuals in our classes. This pedagogical approach aims to ensure all students and participants see themselves reflected in the dance form being taught and the structure through which it is delivered, recognizing and meeting a diverse set of learning styles, empowering students to develop their creative voices. The Education department regularly provides free professional development opportunities exploring the development and implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Communicate with your Teaching team about specific needs for each lesson.
• Support with resource needs within the class.
• Set up any props or technical equipment needed for class. 

During Class 

• Model movement 
• Provide modifications and individual student support 
• Support Lead Teaching Artist’s classroom management strategies 
• Keep an eye out for potential hazards (ex: untied shoes, spatial awareness) 
• Communicate with on-site Dance Center staff if technical or operational issues arise 
• Escort young students to restroom 
• Facilitate classroom exit procedures 

Administrative 

• Check emails regularly. Reply to emails that include a prompt or request. Respond to emails when questions arise, or you need clarification on the information in the email content. 
• Complete surveys, feedback forms, and any other methods of information exchange sent by administrative staff designed to improve collaborative working processes. 
• Attend required annual Faculty Kick-Off and Faculty Wrap-Up meetings. 
• Attend required semi-annual Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (I.D.E.A) meetings. 
• Attend one required one-on-one check-in or attend office hours with your program manager(s) as needed. 
• Attend program planning meetings when necessary. 
• Attend curriculum planning meetings when necessary.

Dance Center Operations & Safety 

• Willingness to train and serve as a Dance Center Floor Warden.
• Follow Dance Center Safety Plan protocols. 

Skills, Experience & Training: 

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience teaching or assisting in instructional settings with children, preferred.
• Formal training and/or demonstrated proficiency in one or more dance or movement genres currently offered at the Dance Center including Creative Dance, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Music and Singing, and Adaptive Dance).

SCHEDULE:

• Specific hours will be determined in coordination with Program Manager.
• Must agree to and adhere to program-specific absence and substitution policies when accepting classes or residencies.
• Availability to work at the assigned class or residency location (e.g., Dance Center or community partner site); once determined by Education staff, locations are not flexible.
• Acknowledgement that classes or residencies may be canceled or removed from the schedule due to low enrollment. 

To join our team, please submit your resume along with a cover letter addressed to Bianca Golden, Director of Education. Cover letters must highlight relevant experience; resume submittals without a cover letter will not be considered.

EEO STATEMENT:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. It is the policy of MMDG to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MMDG does not discriminate against any qualified employees or job applicants with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person’s physical or mental disability. MMDG makes reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.