Job Description
Are you ready to join the nation’s fastest improving urban school district? We are looking for a highly motivated, skilled, and equity-minded Music Teacher to join our team at H.D. Woodson High School for the 2026-27 school year. We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of our students.
Students who attend H.D. Woodson have the opportunity to participate in the NAF program (Information Technology / Computer Science) and also the city renowned STEM Academy. The school also offers a myriad of AP courses. H.D. Woodson had the most improved graduation rate in the District for the last two years (70% ) and also increased promotion rates at every grade level. The school's sports program continued to be the most dominant in the DC metro area winning the varsity boys football championship for the 3rd straight year and its second consecutive varsity boys basketball championship. The boys varsity basketball ball team also made history by finishing the season undefeated and winning the state championship. The boys varsity basketball team finished the year ranked 8th in the nation.
DCPS serves approximately 49,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,200 educators in 117 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.
Position Overview
Vision
Every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence and thrive in life.
Mission
Ensure that every school guarantees students reach their full potential through rigorous and joyful learning experiences provided in a nurturing environment.
Strategic Priorities
• Promote Equity: Define, understand, and promote equity so that we can eliminate gaps and systematically interrupt institutional bias.
• Empower Our People: Recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
• Ensure Excellent Schools: Increase the number of excellent schools throughout the city.
• Educate the Whole Child: Provide rigorous, joyful, and inclusive academic and social emotional learning experiences to ensure all students are college and career ready.
This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. The Government of the District of Columbia values the safety of our employees, our residents, and our visitors. In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by uploading a copy of your vaccination card, or uploading proof of your approved medical or religious exemption, to your candidate dashboard. If you are granted an exemption, you must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing and will be required to upload weekly a negative COVID-19 test to maintain employment with the Government of the District of Columbia. You will not be extended an offer of employment until you comply with the requirement to upload your vaccination card or your approved medical or religious exemption.
The Teacher (10-month) will report to the Principal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
• Sets and reinforces clear expectations and routines that are aligned with the school’s overall vision.
• Develops and implements curricula and activities to meet academic standards.
• Thoughtfully plans daily lessons and implements specific strategies to meet the needs of all students, providing extra support, enrichment, or variation of work when necessary.
• Demonstrates strong content knowledge.
• Designs and implements assessments that measure progress towards academic standards and diagnoses areas of student misunderstanding.
• Uses assessment data to refine curriculum and informs instructional practices.
• Is accountable for students’ academic growth and increase each individual student’s achievement.
• Creates a positive, achievement-oriented learning environment.
• Reflects on successes and areas of growth as a teacher, seeks to improve performance, and responds to feedback.
• Participates in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions.
• Invests parents and families in their children’s academic success through regular communication.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Must meet one of the following criteria:
• Hold an OSSE-issued credential or valid teaching credential from another state
• Be currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program
• Have 1 year of full-time lead teaching experience
• Have passing scores on at least 2 of the 4 required educator credential exams
• Have earned a cumulative undergraduate degree of 3.0 or higher
- Strong instructional skills and classroom management.
- Enthusiasm for and demonstrated mastery of subject matter.
- Unrelenting commitment to students, self, and school’s constant learning and development.
- Ability to self-reflect on teaching practices and be responsive to feedback.
DCPS Values
• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
Apply by visiting https://dcps.my.salesforce-sites.com/apex/ts2__jobdetails?jobId=a0xPn000005IREzIAO
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $66,580.00 - $131,005.00 per year
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
Education:
• Bachelor's (Required)
Work Location: In person