Assistant Dance Teaching Artists

NDI seeks Assistant Dance Teaching Artists to join our team in NYC Public Schools for the 2025 – 26 school year!

NDI seeks dance educators with experience teaching children, ideally in school-based settings. NDI programs are held during the school day, teaching dance as an integral part of the elementary school curriculum. Our programs culminate in celebratory and community-building performances. Every NDI class is taught by a team of three professional Teaching Artists: a Lead Dance Teacher/Choreographer, an Assistant Dance Teacher/Choreographer, and a Musician/Accompanist. We utilize a movement vocabulary rooted in accessibility and theatricality, and informed by each teaching artist’s style, our annual curricular theme, and the children’s unique contributions.

NDI Teaching Artists utilize the NDI Method, which demonstrates our belief in joyful and rigorous learning, the importance of teamwork, and the power of performance. This position is open to dance teachers who are interested in learning NDI’s acclaimed teaching methodology by working alongside experienced colleagues and assisting classes in our partner schools.

We encourage Dance Teaching Artists to apply who…

• Are experienced performing artists with well-developed dance content knowledge in a variety of dance styles
• Are as passionate about the art of teaching as they are about their art form
• Have a confident presence and positive classroom management skills
• Possess tools to create inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments where children of all abilities can belong, participate, and succeed
• Thrive in a collaborative team dynamic

Job Responsibilities

• Assist NDI programs in partner schools, working alongside a Lead Dance Teaching Artist and a Music Teaching Artist:
  • Weekly classes
  • Planning meetings with partner school educators
  • Culminating performances
• Learn to teach using the NDI Method
• Participate in required and paid professional development:
  • Three-day fall retreat
  • Teaching Artist workshops held every other month during the school year
  • All-staff equity trainings
• Maintain an NDI email account and communicate promptly and professionally
• Submit digital timesheets every other week, adhering to deadlines

Compensation

• First-year NDI Teaching Artists are hired on a part-time basis and paid at a rate of $40-$50/class, depending upon level of teaching experience
  • Classes typically run for 45 to 50 minutes, and we schedule no fewer than three classes in succession at any partner school
• Professional development paid at teaching rate
• Yearly stipend for out-of-school time planning for each school assignment
• Additional compensation for evening performances and special projects
• Paid sick leave
• Eligibility for pay increases upon continuous employment

Qualifications and Requirements

• Ability to make a solid commitment to teaching during the school day, three to four days per week, for the duration of the school year (early October to mid-June)
• Reliability and punctuality
• Ability to travel within all of NYC’s boroughs
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer (no visa sponsorship is available for this position)
• Successful completion of fingerprinting and a background check (paid for by NDI) with the NYC Department of Education
• Teaching Artists who have the ability to teach in multiple languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, and American Sign Language are strongly encouraged to apply

NDI is dedicated to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive workplace, where people of diverse backgrounds can contribute and thrive. In order to fulfill our mission, NDI maintains a highly qualified workforce that represents the rich diversity of the children, families, and communities we serve. We are committed to removing barriers to opportunity and strongly encourage people from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups to apply.

NDI is an equal employment opportunity employer. Our policy is to select, place, train and promote the best-qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude, and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

What’s Next?

• Submit an application HERE by May 16th.
• Selected candidates will be invited to attend an IN-PERSON AUDITION at NDI’s Jacques d’Amboise Center for Learning & the Arts in Harlem, NY on June 5th, 6:00pm – 7:15pm.

If selected for the position…

• July: New Teaching Artists complete the fingerprinting/DOE background check and hiring process.
• July/August: Newly hired Teaching Artists will be required to participate in and will be compensated for NDI’s two-week Teaching Artist Training this summer:
  • NDI Level One Intensive Training, Monday–Friday, July 28th–August 8th, from 9:30am-4:30pm in person at NDI.
    • Compensation Total: $2,000
• September: Hired Teaching Artists are required to participate in the following paid professional development:
  • Tuesday–Thursday, September 16th–18th: Annual Teaching Artist Retreat at NDI’s Center. $150/day for 3 days; Total: $450
• October–-June: Teach in NDI partner schools

Questions?

Please contact Sofia Baeta at sbaeta@nationaldance.org.