Expressive Communication (Middle School)

Description

The Scarsdale Public Schools seek to sponsor each student's full development, enabling our youth to be effective and independent contributors in a democratic society and an interdependent world. Scarsdale Middle School has an anticipated vacancy for an Expressive Communication teaching position starting on August 27, 2025. The school spans grades 6-8 and offers a rich and varied educational program to the high-achieving student population of approximately 1100 students. The school community boats an accomplished faculty and staff along with an active and supportive parent body. Scarsdale Middle School focuses on the developmental needs of their students and foster a highly challenging, nurturing, and supportive intellectual environment. The position is a 7th grade quarterly class at the middle school. There is a focus on expressive language, which is the way in which we effectively communicate what we are thinking to others. It engages students in an active way and develops performance skills including: movement, gesture, facial expressions, eye contact and voice. There is currently a strong emphasis on improv theatre as a gateway to all of these skills. Scarsdale Schools offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and an extensive program of professional development. Scarsdale Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply even if you don't believe that you meet every one of our qualifications described. Position Purpose:Under the general supervision of the Principal and Department Chair, this person will develop students' dramatic, communication and presentation skills. To develop expressive communication skills including: speaking, gesturing, writing, facial expressions, and vocalizations. Essential Functions: Teaches acting principles to students Creates adaptable lessons based on student levels, comfort, and ability. Emphasized skills like enunciation, diction, and dialect development using speech drills, improvisation, explanation, and other voice exercises. Explains body language expression. Developes students understanding of character and story development. Supports students as they develop a personal style and voice in the classroom. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Ability to communicate clearly with students, faculty, staff and parents. Ability to use real-world experiences to motivate students (role playing). Ability to bring a high level of energy to the classroom and utilize it to engage students. Ability to provide meaningful feedback about performance. Ability to create a positive and caring environment which supports student risk-taking and engagement. Knowledge of and ability to create collaborative learning experiences for students. Knowledge of curriculum design and its use in skill development and student engagement. Expressive Communication Overview: Expressive language is the way in which we effectively communicate what we are thinking to others. It is the ability to make choices, ask questions, answer, and describe events. Speaking, gesturing, writing, facial expressions, and vocalizations are all variations of expressive language (Lumiere 2018). Many of these skills develop naturally through person-person interactions. However, with the rise in technology usage and the COVID pandemic, it has been noted that students face greater challenges developing and using these skills. For example, students will choose to use technology to have challenging interactions rather than face to face communication. This does not help them develop the very important interpersonal and conversational skills. this course provide instruction in this important area of adolescent development.Over the past many years, there has been a significant rise in mental health challenges facing our students. We have added mental health providers to our budget as one way to support our students. This course could act as another way to support students' mental health. Research has shown that drama-like courses have a positive impact on students' well-being. It helps build self-confidence and self-esteem in adolescents and positively impacts academic performance. All of these would be positive outcomes of this program.Course Structure:The students' main focus is on using theater and performance tools for increasing concentration, refining improvisational creativity, strengthening ensemble building skills, and exploring the performance-making process. The course engages students in an active way and develop performance skills including: movement, gesture, facial expressions, eye contact and voice.Students learn to utilize basic actor's tools through the exploration of creating a character, using their body and voice in interesting ways, and demonstrating effective stage movement. They learn to develop their own material through the use of improvisation as well as scripted material.Responsibilities include: Teaching active principles to students which includes storytelling Teaching beginning improv theater skills Creating an adaptable lesson plan based on student levels and ability Emphasizing skills like enunciation, diction, and dialect development using speech, drills, improvisation, explanation, and other voice exercises. Explaining body language and expression, engaging students in character development and personality projection, and helping each student develop a personal style. Planning lessons that build upon previously learned skills. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Communicates clearly and effectively demonstrates the skills needed to emote as a character. Uses real-world experiences to help students better understand topics and concepts (role playing) Understands curriculum design and uses it to develop skills for students. Is high-energy and able to engage students in a meaningful way. Is skilled at providing constructive feedback about performance. Is creative in the development of curriculum and student engagement. Exhibits a positive and caring attitude which supports student risk-taking and collaboration. Certification: Flexible teacher certification Experience: The ideal candidate will have experience in the field of drama and/or the performing arts. Experience with music is also a plus. Scarsdale Public Schools Office of Human Resources 914-721-2401 | cohumanresources@scarsdaleschools.org

How to Apply

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