WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.
In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.
Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
A TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS…
Purpose and Impact:
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Students First: Teaching for IPS is a rewarding opportunity to support bright, curious students as they shape their futures. We hold ourselves to the highest expectations of excellence, focusing on students’ holistic needs during their educational journey with us.
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Community: Working in a school means it is your home away from home, and you have a school family who supports you and leads with empathy and vision.
Professional and Personal Growth:
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Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers.
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Generous Compensation: We’re proud to offer the highest teacher starting pay in Indianapolis and one of the most competitive in the state, with teachers starting at $55,600 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise, as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation.
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Access to Financial Benefits: Working in IPS makes it possible to benefit from federal programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), helping reduce the financial burden of student loans.
Work-Life Balance and Well-being:
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Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access top-tier health plans covering medical, dental, and vision needs, plus IPS offers a private clinic for staff and their families through our partners at Ascension St. Vincent.
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Flexible Wellness Leave: Take the time you need to care for yourself and your family with our generous leave policies. Teachers receive 70 hours of sick leave in their first year (56 hours annually after) for illness, family, or mental health, plus three personal days, two floating holidays, and school breaks. Unlimited accumulated sick leave adds flexibility, supporting teachers’ health and work-life balance.
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Incentivized Discounts through IPS Wellness Program: Opportunities to earn hundreds of dollars off your medical premium by participating in proactive and simple health screenings, plus discounted group fitness classes, health and fitness assessments, personal training, and more.
Commitment to Excellence:
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High Standards: Strive for the very best in all you do, maintaining high standards for yourself, your students, and your colleagues. Embrace lifelong learning and adapt to new teaching methods and challenges.
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Educational Equity: IPS is deeply committed to breaking down systemic inequities. We do this by “walking the walk” on new policies and practices, building diverse and inclusive classrooms and staff teams, and ensuring our environments are grounded in our values of respect, inclusivity, and educational equity.
Resilience and Passion:
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Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being.
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Adaptability: Handle adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment.
Professional Integrity:
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Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care.
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Team Player: Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment.
Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
We are looking for an elementary general music teacher who will positively impact student success through the effective instruction of students in the general elements of music. The elementary general music teacher will prepare and plan daily music lessons, critique student performance and monitor student progress, implement daily classroom lessons that support good musicianship, and lead groups in concerts, community performances and festivals. In addition, the elementary general music teacher will sing or play musical scales, tones, rhythms and vocal lines to effectively demonstrate to students. The elementary general music teacher will meet with parents concerning student behavior and progress, demonstrate responsible classroom discipline and be a good steward of musical equipment, instruments and supplies. As a member of team IPS, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare and plan daily lessons.
- Monitor and evaluate student progress and provide appropriate reteaching and differentiation strategies.
- Collaborate with district coaches and other content area teachers to develop curriculum that meets school, district and state standards.
- Provide relevant and rigorous instruction in general music techniques, performance technique, composition, sight reading, singing and music history.
- Prepare and lead concerts, performances, festivals and community events.
- Conduct rehearsals and prepare relevant repertoire for student performance.
- Maintain excellent rapport with students, parents, staff and community.
- Establish and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Other duties as assigned
“Day In the Life” Overview
On a regular day, as the Elementary General Music Teacher, you might:
- Attend meetings, forums and community events within the arts community to plan events and strengthen partnerships between IPS and our arts partners.
- Evaluate student progress to refine student skill development.
- Work with other teachers to develop and implement an integrated music curriculum that supports overall student success.
- Continue your own personal professional development to develop and hone skills in content area.
- Oversee ordering of music, method materials, instruments and supplies.
- Develop materials, lesson plans and documents that support content area needs and district initiatives.
- Meet with parents to discuss student behavior and progress.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS
As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:
- Rapport with students, families, staff, and community members through strong relationship building
- Working knowledge of the Indiana Fine Arts Academic Standards in Music.
- Clear written and verbal communication with a diverse staff and community
- Effective analysis of student assessment data to drive instructional decisions
- Familiarity with educational technology initiatives including online learning platforms,
social media integration and any learning or organizational platform utilized by the IPS district.
This position is designated as a split assignment between two school locations within the district. The selected candidate will provide services at both sites based on the operational needs of each school.
The percentage of time allocated to each location may vary (e.g., 50/50, 60/40, etc.) and will be determined by district and building leadership. The specific daily and/or weekly schedule will be coordinated by the supervising principals or designated administrators.
This is a full-time position. Split assignments do not affect compensation, benefits eligibility, or full-time status. The employee will remain fully benefit-eligible in accordance with district policies.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Must Hold a Valid Indiana State Teacher’s License in either vocal, instrumental, or general music OR must be eligible to secure an Indiana State Teacher’s License via reciprocity, emergency or alternative pathways.
FLSA CLASSIFICATION:
Exempt
ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:
Not Eligible
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must hold a valid Indiana State Teacher's License in Elementary Education (K-6). Must be deemed Highly Qualified in accordance with the Indiana Department of Education
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to find, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
DISCLAIMER:
The above job description is designed to denote the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.
