Mission and History

National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded in 1976 by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise, and leads the field of arts education with a model program that has been studied and replicated worldwide. At the root of NDI’s methodology is the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and socio-economic positions, and motivate them toward excellence in all aspects of their lives. Since our inception, more than two million children have been impacted through engagement in immersive, participatory dance programs led by NDI’s professional teaching artists.

In order to fulfill our mission, NDI is dedicated to building and sustaining an organizational culture grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. We are committed to hiring and advancing teaching artists who reflect and represent the rich diversity of the children, families, and communities we serve. Black, Indigenous, people of color, teaching artists with disabilities, teaching artists from underrepresented ethnic groups, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ teaching artists are especially welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.

In-School Program

NDI reaches thousands of students annually through in-school residencies, advanced scholarship programs, inclusive programming for children with disabilities, teaching artist trainings, and public performances. The centerpiece of NDI’s programming is the In-School Program. This inclusive program is delivered by teams of three teaching artists—two dance teaching artists and a music teaching artist—who teach collaboratively, to ensure deep and authentic learning in the art form and success for every child.

NDI classes take place during the school day and are integrated into the curriculum, ensuring that the arts are an essential component of learning in our partner school communities. NDI primarily serves elementary (K-5) schools; all students in a selected grade or grades participate in the program. In the 2022-23 school year, NDI expects to work with over 6,500 students every week in partnership with close to 50 schools across the New York City region. Students learn fundamentals of dance and music, as well as a range of critical life and social-emotional skills. Every NDI class includes live music, a crucial piece of our unique methodology. NDI’s programs culminate in celebratory performances of artistic quality in which students take the stage to share their achievements with their peers, their families, and the larger community.

NDI Method

NDI teaching artists utilize the NDI Method, which embodies the philosophy of joyful and rigorous learning, the importance of teamwork and respect for others, and the power of performance. These effective teaching techniques, developed and tested over 46 years, equip professional artists to engage and motivate students of all abilities in school settings.

NDI TEACHING ARTISTS

• Are practicing artists, who have professional performing experience and/or training
• Come from a variety of dance traditions and have the desire to share their unique artistry with children
• Are as passionate about the art of teaching as they are about their art form
• Exude joy and love of dance
• Are dynamic, expressive, and energized movers
• Have strong musicality
• Have a confident presence and positive and inclusive classroom management skills
• Are committed to anti-racist education
• Are committed to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, and to creating classrooms in which every student is seen, valued, and belongs
• Are reflective practitioners who seek opportunities for continuous learning
• Are collaborative; thrive in a team dynamic in which power and responsibility are shared
• Are flexible, and able to adapt to the needs and strengths of different school communities
• Believe that being in the presence of children is a privilege

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Co-lead weekly, in-person classes in NDI partner schools.
  • Teaching artists new to working with NDI are staffed in teaching teams with experienced colleagues so that they can continue training in the NDI Method while assisting and co-leading classes.
• Co-design and co-lead culminating performances that reflects an annual curricular theme.
• Co-create accessible, responsive, and dynamic choreography that both highlights students’ abilities and develops their skills and artistic expression.
• Participate in required professional development, including a fall retreat, bi-monthly workshops, and all-staff equity trainings.
• Maintain an NDI email account and communicate promptly and professionally with NDI administrative staff, teaching artist teams, and school partners.
• Complete a self-evaluation and goal-setting process and meetings with an NDI mentor twice per year.
• Support NDI’s program evaluation, impact assessment, and fundraising efforts. This may include documenting your work through written lesson planning and completing evaluation rubrics.
• Submit bi-weekly digital timesheets, adhering to deadlines communicated by NDI.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

• Passionate alignment with NDI’s mission and values.
• Ability to make a solid commitment to teaching during the school day, at least two days per week, for the duration of the school year (early October to early or mid-June).
• Must be reliable and punctual.
• Availability for paid professional development workshops as well as individualized training during the school year.
• Ability to travel within NYC’s boroughs.
• Teaching artists who have the ability to teach in multiple languages are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• Candidates are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Offers for employment are contingent upon the candidate having successfully completed a background check and fingerprinting with the NYC Department of Education (DOE).
• Employees are required to follow all program guidelines which include but are not limited to DOE, NDI, and all program partners.

To apply, please CLICK HERE

Please contact Sofia Baeta at sbaeta@nationaldance.org with any questions. Thank you for your interest in teaching with NDI