As a Musical Theatre Assistant in Parkland School Division, you will be part of enacting our vision, mission and enduring priorities.
The enduring priorities that guide our work include:
- Meaningful Engagement
- Inspired Exploration
- Connected Community
- Resource Stewardship
- Wellness Culture
- Confident Resilience
Parkland School Division’s Ultimate Goal:
Student Success and Well-being
Our ultimate goal and enduring priorities support our vision: “Parkland School Division is a community of engaged learners where exploration, creativity and imagination make learning exciting and where all learners aspire to reach their dreams.”
Parkland School Division No. 70 has an opening for a High School Musical Theatre (Drama)/Choral Assistant position at Spruce Grove Composite High School in Spruce Grove, Alberta.
Function and Purpose of Position
Will assist the Musical Theatre Teacher/Director with the vision, preparation and presentation of Two Musical Theatre Productions involving a large group of multi-graded high school students (numbers may range between 80-100 students).
Responsibilites:
- Work under the supervision of one teacher/teacher director and in collaboration with choreographer, stage manager and theatre personnel
- Work independently with students or in the classroom with the teacher.
- Audition the singers and make casting decisions with director.
- Schedule music rehearsals in collaboration with the director, choreographer and stage manager.
- Help cast members learn their music.
- Lead music rehearsals including warmups for principals and ensemble.
- Prepare Music and Sound Cues for the production.
- Sound design for microphones used.
- Attend production meetings and rehearsals, as needed.
- Supervise and guide technical crews (ie props, sets, costumes)
Instructional Support
- Provide assistance to Musical Theatre students one on one, in small groups or large groups as directed by the Teacher.
- Modify and adapt the program for individual students as directed by the classroom teacher.
Behaviour
- Assist the teacher in maintaining a safe and secure environment for both students and staff.
- Deal with student behaviour and assists with classroom discipline.
Communication and Reporting
- As requested by the teacher, communicate observations regarding curriculum development to the teacher (as gathered in logs, charts, and data sheets).
- Participate in student team conferences when requested by the teacher.
Assist Teacher/Classroom Preparation
- Organize bulletin board display, photocopy material
- Modify and prepare materials for students.
- Ensure equipment and facilities are kept in a clean, safe, orderly manner.
- Assist teacher with student assessment when needed.
- Prepare, set up, and dismantle displays, information areas and work areas.
Supervise Students
- Supervise and assist students in preparing for productions
- Ability to work in a variety of environments and conditions
- Ability to provide active supervision and support to students before, during and after productions
Ability to work collaboratively with high school aged student(s) and assist with curricular expectations in Musical Theatre Student Personal Development • Assist in building the self-esteem and self-confidence of students.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
a) Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Musical Theatre, Theatre Studies or Equivalent
- High level of piano experience as accompanist and/or Musical Director
- Vocal Coaching experience
- High School Diploma
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and First Aid Certificate would be an asset
b) Experience:
- 1 to 3 years of related experience.
Equivalencies will be considered
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTITUDES
- Musical Skills – vocal coach, Advanced piano/keyboard skills
- Experience working with Large Groups of Youth (80-100) in an open-minded, creative way that fosters student leadership and empowerment
- Musical Theatre Production Experience
- Technical Theatre Skills and Carpentry Skills are an asset
- Strong interpersonal skills. Able to work in close collaborative partnership with Theatre Director
- Tolerence for an atypical classroom environment that is fast-paced, hands on and dynamic
- Ability to work well with school and community groups
- Positive relationship building skills (team player) – capable of building positive relationships with students, parents and staff
- Team player with strong communication skills who understands the importance of flexible programming for students
- Enjoys flexibility in the school day with a focus on student centered learning
- Desire to interact with high school aged students in order to support behavioral, cognitive and emotional engagement
- Contributes to the positive school culture and assists with modeling and correcting behavior which is not respectful of this culture
- Provide specialized support to students and teaching staff
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills are a necessity
- Excellent written and oral skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff
- Physical ability to actively participate in drama/musical theatre classes
- This work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with people and productions/performance, having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and finding innovative ways to handle situations.
DECISION MAKING
Make decisions in order to assist the implementation of instructional plans as directed by the teacher. Examples: 1.) Once tasks are assigned the Assistant may decide on the sequence of events such as how to format and prepare classroom resources and educational materials to suit the needs of the student(s) (e.g. photocopying, and some word processing). 2.) A decision related to supervision of student’s various activities and events under the direction of the teacher (e.g., group children for field trips in manageable groups).
WORKING WITH OTHERS
Some of the usual contacts that the Assistant will have in this position are:
1. Employees in the same school as there will be an exchange of everyday information and may require explanation and interpretation of that information.
2. Employees in other schools will exchange factual or everyday information.
3. Daily communication with students will require explanation and interpretation of everyday information.
4. As directed by the teacher communicate observations regarding health and behaviours to the teacher (as gathered in logs, charts, and data sheets).
Work is performed under frequent or close supervision. Specific directions and instructions are provided during work process.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The Assistant may be required to routinely lift items weighting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work with students in a variety of positions (i.e. sit on Chair or floor, kneel, stand, bend or reach to assist.
• Ability to walk easily, maneuver stairs and move from one position or place to another with sufficient ease to respond to student need in a timely manner.
Potential Risks of the work environment are:
• Contact with infectious diseases
• Noise level
• Dealing with uncooperative or difficult student.
• Inherent risk of work:
There are inherent risks in the work that an Assistant does with students at Parkland School Division No. 70 (PSD). Assistants and other staff are to be prepared to satisfactorily manage the inherent risks encountered in their work. There is potential risk an Assistant or other staff might be injured by a student. Student behaviour can be somewhat unpredictable at times. The specific needs of students are not always known. Some students may become aggressive, which has the potential for causing injury to Assistants and other staff. PSD makes Assistants and other staff aware of known risks before assignments of students needing the assistance of an Assistant are made. PSD provides training to Assistants and other staff for known and anticipated risks related to a student. Assistants and other staff are responsible for advising the Principal or Assistant Principal of unknown risks encountered with students. For a student with an Individual Program Plan (IPP), the Assistant should also advise the teacher assigned to oversee the IPP of unknown risks encountered. Any plans for working with students who may show aggression whether on an IPP or other plan, these are evolving plans which may change over time to meet the needs of a particular student at a PSD school. Assistants and other staff are expected to cooperate in ensuring workplace health and safety in a caring and respectful educational setting.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Assistants work indoors except when supervising children outdoors or going on field trips.
- Assistants may have the same holiday schedule as teachers, including a long summer break as well as winter and spring breaks. However, they work on a ten-month contract basis and therefore are not paid during the summer months.
- The scheduled hours to be worked will be determined by each specific position.
- This position may require the use of a personal vehicle as per job posting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Assistants must agree to respect the confidentiality and personal integrity of students, parents, teachers and other staff.
- This position requires a current clean criminal record check and child intervention record check.
Hours of Work:
Semester One:
Noon/Seminar vocal auditions: 5 hours
20 Tuesday and Wednesdays: 3:15-5:00
Individual Vocal Coaching: to be determined
5 Saturdays: Usually 11-4 with some hours added to Saturdays closer to production week)
Production Week: Sunday-Friday: Approx 60 hours
Semester Two:
Noon/Seminar vocal auditions: 5 hours
16 Tuesday and Wednesdays: 3:15-5:00
Individual Vocal Coaching: to be determined
6 Saturdays: Usually 11-4 with some hours added to Saturdays closer to production week)
Production Week: Sunday-Saturday: Approx 73 hours
TOTAL AMOUNT OF HOURS FOR THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE: 470 HOURS
Pay Rate: $24.00/hr (successful applicant will enter in time daily for hours worked)
To apply for this position please visit our website at www.psd70.ab.ca
