Position: Long-Term Substitute Teacher - Music (Strings)
Location: Downingtown High School East, Downingtown Middle School, and STEM Academy
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Effective Date: August 18, 2026 until the End of the School Year

Are you passionate about helping ALL students learn in a collaborative environment? If so, we may have the career for you! Downingtown Area School District is excited to announce an opening for all certified music - strings teachers for the 2026-2027 school year.  This assignment is a full school year, long-term substitute teacher position for the secondary buildings.
 

At DASD, we are committed to sharing values of diversity and inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence in education. As a diverse district, we continually seek ways to strengthen our educational environment. We believe that we can best promote excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse group of staff who bring various backgrounds and perspectives. Our ability to create and maintain a climate of respect is critical to attaining the best teaching and learning environment.

At Downingtown Area School District we value our employees. We seek to hire new staff who:

• Communicate openly to build relationships and trust  
• Partner with team members to see the TEAM succeed
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and seek ongoing opportunities for growth
• Embrace and support a safe and inclusive environment
• Eagerly and enthusiastically support student learning
• Strive to be kind and reflective
• Focus on the solution and put people first
• Lead by example!

If you want to be part of our "Downingtown Proud" team - please apply! Help us with our mission to educate all students to meet the rigorous challenges of a global society.

Job Summary: Teaching music education to pupils, and assists the staff of the school in the improvement and appreciation of music instruction. Helps pupils grow in their enjoyment, appreciation, and performance of music through a variety of planned music experiences which include singing, moving to music, playing of instruments, and listening. 

Qualifications: (Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and hold a proper Pennsylvania certification for the position.
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Valid PA certification specific to content area.  PK-12 Music Education
• Demonstrates knowledge in the area of assignment.
• Possesses a positive attitude toward the teaching profession, service to the district, and importance and purpose of the education program.
• Proficiency in use of current technology for individual or group demonstration or communication.
• Must be able to flex and vary hours to accommodate needs of students, parents, and other teachers.
• Possesses effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, and outside organizations.

• Exhibits excellent classroom management skills.

• Demonstrates effective communication skills to provide accurate information to others and to obtain, give, and follow directions.
• Demonstrates ability to provide good judgment, planning, and human relations skills, as well as be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility.
• To follow the standard of member conduct as stated in the PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.
• Must successfully complete and maintain compliance with all federal and state background and criminal record check requirements
  • Click here for more information about required clearances
• Candidate must adhere to all local, state, federal, and school code requirements for employment

Duties & Responsibilities:  (Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Teaches skills in music appreciation, harmony, and explorations in music and in instrumental music (band, orchestra, instrumental ensemble) and/or choral music (chorus, choir, choral ensemble) to pupils. Utilizes course of study adopted by the Board of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
• Plans a balanced music program and organizes daily class time so that preparation, rehearsal, and instruction can be accomplished within the allotted time.
• Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each pupil.
• Utilizes repertoire of all types of music literature, including traditional and contemporary, that are appropriate for the ages and skill levels of pupils.
• Controls the storage and use of school-owned property; makes minor adjustments and requests repairs to instruments as needed.
• Evaluates each pupil's musical growth and performance, assessing each individual's contribution to the performance of the group.
• Plans, rehearses, and directs pupils in musical programs for school and community, such as school productions, assemblies, seasonal programs, graduation ceremonies, and civic functions.
• Selects and requisitions books, musical instruments, and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records. 

Salary 2026-2027 School Year:
Placement upon salary scale is dependent upon education and years of teaching service.

Please click on the link to the DAEA Agreement - 2025-2030 and refer to Appendix B for the 2026-2027 Salary Schedule.

Schedule:
7.5 hours per day based upon district-approved calendar
Up to 191 days per year, plus up to 3 days of orientation for professional employees during first year of employment

Summary of Benefits:
Select Health Benefits a la carte - Only pay for what you need

• Medical Coverage through IBX - Personal Choice C4-F4-02
  • No Primary Care Physician necessary
  • No referrals required
  • IBC has extensive local and national networks
• Prescription Coverage through CVS/Caremark
• Dental Coverage - Delta Dental Active PPO
  • Allows use of in-network and out-of-network providers
• Vision Coverage - Vision Benefits of America (VBA)

Eligibility - No Waiting Period
All employees may enroll in the district's health benefit plans effective with their date of hire into the benefit eligible position. 

Eligible Dependents
A legally married spouse as defined by PA law and children up to age 26 may enroll in the District's health benefit plans.

New Hires or Newly Eligible
You have 31 days from the date that you are benefit eligible to make your elections. If you do not make elections during this time, you will only be enrolled into any benefit that is provided by the District at no cost to you.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to elect to participate in a Flexible Spending Account. DASD offers both a Healthcare Spending Account and Dependent Care Spending Account. This benefit allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out of pocket eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Support for the Whole You

• Fitness Program
  • Receive $150 back when you complete 120 workouts at an approved fitness facility within 365 days. www.ibx.com/reimbursements
• Nutritional Counseling
  • Up to 6 free visits per calendar year with a registered dietitian.
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Health Advocate is a free, confidential program that offers EAP+ Work/Life benefits to help you address difficulties in your life by providing short term assistance with personal, family, and work issues. In addition, it simplifies the navigation of the health care system by helping you find the right doctors, resolving billing and insurance claim issues, explaining benefit coverages, helping your parents or in-laws with the complexities of Medicare, and much more!
• Telemedicine
  • The telemedicine benefit through SwiftMD is offered to ALL DASD employees at no cost to you. The telemedicine benefit allows for consultations with US board-certified doctors over the phone or online, from your home, office, or on the road. These physicians can diagnose, recommend treatment, and submit prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice. 

Retirement - Member of State Pension System (PSERS)
As a PSERS member, you'll join with over a half million fellow public school employees who are also members.  You'll contribute to your own personal PSERS retirement account and have a safe and secure benefit payment(s) from one of the largest public retirement plans in the nation.

Student Loan Forgiveness
All DASD employees are eligible to apply for loan forgiveness through the federal government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Find out more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Life Benefit
Pays 1 x your basic annual salary up to maximum of $50,000

Income Protection Benefit
Pays 60% of your basic monthly pay, up to $2,800 per month

Tuition Reimbursement
75% of tuition if grade if B or better is attained; limit 12 credits per year.

Induction Program
All new teachers, including Long Term Substitutes (LTS), will participate in the DASD Induction Program. The district offers a one- or two-year program depending on the number of years of prior professional experience within PA public schools. 

• After-school workshops
• Collaborative coaching with instructional coach
• Assigned mentor for additional support
• Collaboration meetings with curriculum leader, grade level leader, or supervisor(s)
• New hire faculty meetings with principal(s)

Professional Development
8 staff professional development days per year

Paid Time Off

• 10 sick days annually
• 2 personal days annually; may accumulate up to 5

Retiree Benefits

• Personal Days Payout
• Sick Days Payout

EOE