Drama Teacher Grades K-5

Job Description

PYP Drama Teacher

Location: Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School - Bethlehem, PA
Position Type: Full-Time
Grade Levels: Kindergarten-Grade 5

Position Overview

Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School (LVA), an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, is seeking a creative and collaborative PYP Drama Teacher to join our K-5 instructional team.

The PYP Drama Teacher will provide engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction in drama and performing arts while supporting the inquiry-based philosophy of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Through storytelling, role-play, improvisation, movement, and performance, students will develop creativity, confidence, communication skills, empathy, and an appreciation for the performing arts.

The ideal candidate understands that drama is both an artistic discipline and a powerful vehicle for inquiry, helping students explore concepts, perspectives, and real-world connections. This position includes the instructional and professional responsibilities of a K-5 teacher, with a specialized focus on drama education.

Key Responsibilities

Drama and Performing Arts Instruction

• Design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate drama instruction for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.
  
• Introduce students to the fundamental elements of drama, including character development, expression, movement, voice, storytelling, and performance.
  
• Facilitate activities such as role-play, improvisation, mime, drama circles, freeze-frames, readers' theatre, and collaborative performances.
  
• Guide students through the creative process of developing, presenting, responding to, and reflecting on dramatic works.
  
• Foster confidence, creativity, self-expression, collaboration, and responsible risk-taking in a supportive learning environment.
  
• Differentiate instruction to accommodate varying developmental levels, abilities, learning styles, and language proficiencies.
  
• Organize and support age-appropriate performances and opportunities for students to share their learning with the school community.

IB Primary Years Programme Integration

• Design and facilitate inquiry-based learning experiences that reflect the philosophy and framework of the IB Primary Years Programme.
  
• Collaborate with grade-level teachers and the PYP Coordinator to meaningfully integrate drama into transdisciplinary units of inquiry.
  
• Use drama to help students investigate central ideas, explore different perspectives, develop conceptual understanding, and make connections across subject areas.
  
• Incorporate the IB Learner Profile, approaches to learning (ATL), student agency, and reflection into instruction.
  
• Develop learning experiences that encourage students to think critically, ask questions, communicate ideas, and demonstrate understanding through creative expression.
  
• Participate in collaborative planning, curriculum development, and ongoing implementation of the PYP framework.

Teaching and Classroom Responsibilities

• Develop and implement instructional plans aligned with applicable Pennsylvania academic standards, the IB PYP framework, and LVA's curriculum expectations.
  
• Establish a positive, inclusive, and structured classroom environment that promotes student engagement, respectful collaboration, and appropriate behavior.
  
• Assess student learning through observation, performance-based assessments, student reflection, and other appropriate assessment practices.
  
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and provide meaningful feedback to students and families.
  
• Use instructional strategies that support the academic, social, emotional, and creative development of elementary students.
  
• Collaborate with special education teachers, English language development teachers, specialists, and other instructional staff to meet diverse student needs.
  
• Maintain appropriate student supervision and safety practices during instruction, rehearsals, and performances.
  
• Communicate professionally and effectively with students, families, colleagues, and school administrators.
  
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, school activities, and other responsibilities associated with a full-time teaching position.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Theatre, Drama, Performing Arts, or a related field.
  
• Experience working with elementary-aged children in an educational, theatrical, or performing arts setting.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
  
• Strong classroom management, communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.
  
• Ability to design and deliver engaging, inclusive learning experiences for students in Grades K-5.
  
• Willingness to learn and implement the philosophy and instructional practices of the IB Primary Years Programme.

Preferred

• Pennsylvania teaching certification in Elementary Education, a PA Theatre Endorsement, or certification in another relevant instructional area preferred.
  
• Experience teaching drama, theatre, performing arts, or creative movement to elementary-aged students.
  
• Previous experience teaching in an IB Primary Years Programme school or familiarity with inquiry-based and concept-driven instruction.
  
• Experience integrating performing arts into interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary learning.
  
• Experience coordinating student performances or theatrical productions.
  
• Familiarity with differentiated instruction and inclusive classroom practices.

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an educator who:

• Believes that drama and the performing arts play an essential role in developing the whole child.
  
• Views drama as an opportunity to deepen conceptual understanding and promote meaningful inquiry.
  
• Engages young learners through imagination, movement, storytelling, and hands-on experiences.
  
• Collaborates effectively with classroom teachers to create authentic connections between drama and units of inquiry.
  
• Values student voice, choice, creativity, and reflection.
  
• Creates an environment where students feel safe exploring new ideas, expressing themselves, and taking creative risks.
  
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for contributing to a collaborative, internationally minded school community.