Mele Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Music) Educator for Hawaiian charter school

The Mana Mele Project seeks MELE HAWAIʻI (HAWAIIAN MUSIC) EDUCATORS to share their craft with Kauaʻi youth (for duration of 2024-25 school year or short-term)

https://manamaoli.org/

Position Mele Hawaiʻi/Hawaiian Music Instructor (Teaching Artist) in Puhi/Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi

Independent contractor position through Mana Maoli, to onboard ASAP and start teaching by 10/15/24.

Seeking a well-versed musician with a background in Hawaiian music and experience teaching or mentoring middle to high school-aged youth, to facilitate “Papa Mele” at one of our partner Hawaiian charter/immersion schools. Competency in singing and/or choral/ensemble directing may be very useful. Fluency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not required, however knowledge, experience, and a desire to learn is preferred.

The primary kuleana of the kumu is to foster student enjoyment and abilities in music, and offer cultural grounding in the process. This will be done via piloting place and culture-based curriculum, developed and shared by Mana Mele’s Academy Design Team and instructors.

Weekly teaching commitment:

Tuesdays, 10:30am – 11:30am (High School)

Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:30pm (2 groups of Middle School)

Note: This position can be filled by one person teaching all 3 sessions both days OR two individuals–one on Tuesday, and the other on Thursday.

As an instructor with the Mana Mele Project, you join a hui of kumu throughout Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi, as well as a network of creative artists in the Pae ʻāina ʻo Hawaiʻi.

Contract Dates

ASAP - Onboarding to happen ASAP, first day of class is no later than 10/15/2024.

Teaching through end of May is preferred, but open to shorter duration (i.e. a few weeks) while we seek to fill this position long-term

No instruction during holidays and school breaks, and when otherwise noted.

Compensation/Hours Available

Starting at $25-$30/hr for both instructional and prep time

Besides instructional & prep hours, kumu are also paid for additional work including the following:

- Time spent completing deliverables

- Participation in mandatory and optional professional development (“PD”) workshops

- Quarterly check-in meetings

- Events, rehearsals and kanipila involving our youth

- Helping to produce video lessons

DUTIES include but are not limited to:

- Music instruction to Hawaiian charter, immersion and DOE youth;

- Preparing and implementing lesson plans;

- Class management;

- Facilitating rehearsals and performances;

- Completing logs and issuing assessments; and

- Attending at least 3 Professional Development training sessions during the year

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma

Strong music, performing arts, or digital/multimedia background

Reliable, on-time, strong verbal/written communication skills

Knowledge of and/or strong respect for Hawaiian culture - willingness to learn more, and integrate into class instruction

Lots of patience, passion, perseverance, and aloha!

Preferred Qualifications

College degree or certificate in Education, Music, or related fields

Strong grounding or proficiency in Hawaiian music, culture, and language

Curriculum and/or program development experience

Experience working with youth in Grades 6-12

Experience working in or with youth from Hawaiian charter or immersion schools, or schools in areas of high Native Hawaiian populations.

Knowledge of music literacy and theory

Skilled in research techniques, culture resources, and Indigenous/Western teaching practices and strategies.

In accordance with Mana Maoli employment policy, candidates for this position may be subject to a criminal background check.

About the Mana Mele Project

Mana Mele Kumu teach Mana Maoli’s ABCs (Academics, Business, and Culture) through Music and/or Multimedia across a diverse range of genres and styles. We serve K-12 youth, as well as alumni/ college interns across 4 islands and 23 partner schools, including all 15 Hawaiian-focused public charter schools. This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference via innovative, real-world, culture-based education alongside Hawaiʻi’s music and multimedia industry professionals.