*Start date: August 24, 2026 *
Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews ASAP.
Position Overview:
Music for Minors seeks qualified and experienced individuals to deliver weekly group lessons to 5th grade students in San Mateo Foster City. Educators will travel to up to 4-5 school sites per day to teach in-person music classes. Successful educators possess strong classroom management skills, experience teaching elementary school music, experience playing their instrument, and a love of working with children.
Contract is 4-5 months, August - December with possibility to extend. Tuesday - Friday, please apply even if you are not available all 4 days.
Position: 5th Grade Violin Teacher
Reports to: Instrumental Program Manager
Classification: Part Time
Work hours: ~5 or 20/week during normal school hours
Scheduling: 1 to 4 days a week, between 8:20 am - 2:00 pm (hour vary slightly by day)
Work Location: Primarily in-person at school sites in San Mateo and Foster City. 2 online cohort meetings with Program Manager per month.
Compensation
- $42/hour starting rate
- Paid training and professional development
- Paid weekly planning time
- Paid cohort meetings
- Paid sick time
- Eligible for 401(k) plan after 3 months of employment
Dates
This position is for the 26-27 school year, through December - potentially January or February.
- Employment/Training Start: August 25, 2026
- Teaching Start: Week of September 1, 2026
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
In The Classroom
- Administer weekly 5th grade music classes at school sites (40 minute class durations)
- Create weekly lessons using music books provided by MFM
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with classroom teachers and school administration
- Follow MFM policies and procedures
- Promote a love of music in all students
Other Responsibilities
- Use paid planning time to prepare lessons each week
- Participate in paid online cohort meetings
- Check MFM-provided email regularly
- Track number of lessons taught at each school site
- Communicate all absences and schedule changes with Instrumental Program Manager
- Attend Fall Training in August
Qualifications
- 2+ years teaching experience required
- Experience in violin
- Skilled in classroom management
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Available 1 - 4 days/week during the above schedule
- Energetic, flexible, patient, and enthusiastic
- Love of working with 5th grade children
- Background check & TB clearance
- Passion for Music for Minors' mission
Physical Demands
- Ability to lead energetic locomotor and non-locomotor motions with students
- Ability to transport curriculum resources between classrooms on school sites using MFM-provided cart or other method
Work Environment
- Work primarily performed at school sites with a wide variety of sounds, noises, and temperature environments
Travel Requirements
- Travel required to school sites on assigned teaching days. Periodic travel to MFM office.
About Music for Minors
Music for Minors is a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love of music in children. Founded in 1976, MFM partners with schools to provide high-quality music education during the school day. Our programs serve preschool and elementary students through engaging, standards-based lessons that include singing, movement, rhythm, instruments, and music from many cultures.
MFM educators bring creativity, care, and musical experience into the classroom, helping students build confidence, connection, foundational music skills, and a lasting love of music.
For more information, visit www.mfm.org.
All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential. Music for Minors is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job description is designed to outline the essential job functions and qualifications of this position. It is in no way a contract of employment between the Company and the employee. The information contained in this document may or may not be used in performance reviews, salary reviews, or promotion considerations. Job duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications of this job may change throughout the course of employment as directed by the management of the Company
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $42.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- What is your availability for each day, Tuesday - Friday?
Ability to Commute:
- San Mateo, CA 94402 (Required)
Work Location: In person
