Job Description

Specialist Teacher, Drama

Start Date: August 31, 2026

Salary: $60,000 – $150,000

Schedule:

• 10-month position covered by the Professional Employees’ Federation (PEF)
• Regular hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays
• Occasional overnight work and event support may be required during early mornings, evenings, or weekends.
• Required to be available for and work during all scheduled evening drama performances.

About Bank Street School for Children

A leader in progressive education for more than 100 years, the Bank Street School for Children provides students, from nursery through 8th grade, an education that engages their natural curiosity, nurtures critical thinking, and helps to develop a sense of community and social responsibility. Through a teaching approach that is fundamentally hands-on and child-centered, Bank Street students develop the courage and confidence to think independently, work collaboratively, understand themselves and others more deeply, and possess the compassion to make meaning of the world around them.

About the Position

The Bank Street School for Children is seeking a passionate, knowledgeable, and team-oriented Specialist Teacher in Drama. This role primarily works with students in grades 2 through 8 but may teach or support other grade levels as school needs evolve. The Drama Specialist is responsible for developing and teaching a developmentally appropriate drama curriculum, directing the annual school musical, managing the auditorium and costume room, and collaborating with classroom teachers and other specialists. This position may also include teaching after-school classes within scheduled hours. The ideal candidate is collaborative, flexible, and able to work effectively with a broad range of community members.

Key Responsibilities

Drama Instruction and Curriculum

• Teach a drama curriculum responsive to children’s developmental capacities and needs across elementary and middle school grade levels
• Generate enthusiasm for drama and inspire all students to work to their potential
• Document lesson plans and update curriculum with guidance from supervisor and in collaboration with the humanities team
• Differentiate instruction to support group and individual learning
• Organize and maintain a positive classroom community that reflects curricular work
• Promote high standards of behavior by encouraging a positive, proactive approach to learning and building productive relationships with students

School Musical and Performance

• Direct, manage, and organize the annual school musical
• Collaborate with the music department, classroom teachers, and school leadership to create a successful musical experience
• Support the upkeep and management of the auditorium and costume room
• Work with IT and facilities departments to keep the auditorium functioning and meeting the needs of the school

Assessment and Communication

• Assess students’ work accurately and regularly, providing thoughtful and meaningful feedback
• Assign homework that is appropriate in volume and aligned with learning goals
• Share progress and concerns with families through conferences, written narrative reports, and regular communication
• Write narrative reports about student progress and goals
• Communicate with families about student progress as needed via email, phone calls, or in-person meetings

Collaboration with Staff and Specialists

• Collaborate with classroom teachers and other specialists to support curriculum and children’s development
• Coordinate with school leadership and teachers around curriculum, social-emotional needs, and academic needs
• Attend chorus as assigned to support students and the music team

After-School Programming

• Teach after-school classes as assigned, which may include students outside the typical age range
• Document lesson plans and curriculum for after-school classes

School Community Responsibilities

• Attend regular faculty, division, department, and supervisory meetings
• Support school coverage needs by substituting for teachers within and across divisions
• Provide extra help to students as necessary and as assigned, within an equitable workload; may occur during work periods or after school
• Fulfill weekly community duties as assigned, which may include lunch, recess, early morning care, and bus duty
• Support event or trip planning duties as assigned, such as coordinating events, planning trips, and supporting weekly assemblies
• Complete additional duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

Required

• At least 3-5 years of teaching experience
• Experience teaching drama to a range of age levels
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in child development
• Experience with Google Suite and adept use of technology to support teaching and learning
• Strong organizational skills, including time management
• Strong grasp of progressive classroom management techniques
• Experience writing narrative reports about student progress and goals
• Ability to meet and adhere to multiple deadlines
• Demonstrated classroom management skills
• High energy, a sense of humor, and a strong ability to connect with adolescents

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Drama, Education, or a related field
• Experience directing school musicals or theatrical productions
• Familiarity with Bank Street’s progressive, child-centered approach to education

Bank Street is a leader in education, a pioneer in improving the quality of classroom practice, and a national advocate for children and their families.
Since its beginnings in 1916, Bank Street has been at the forefront of understanding how children learn and grow. From early childhood centers and schools to hospitals and museums, Bank Street has built a national reputation on the simple fact that our graduates know how to do the work that is right for children.
At Bank Street’s Graduate School of Education, students are trained in a model that combines the study of human development, learning theory, and sustained clinical placement to promote significant development as a teacher prior to graduation. Our children’s programs—Bank Street School for Children, Family Center, Bank Street Head Start, and Liberty LEADS—foster children’s development in the broadest sense by providing diverse opportunities for social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. The Bank Street Education Center disrupts inequity through system-level change to help design better educational experiences for both children and adults. The College further supports and influences positive outcomes for children every day through professional development programs, research projects, and other key efforts engaging educators, intermediary organizations, and government officials at the district, state, and federal levels.