Job description
PRIMARY DUTY: Primary duties include teaching elementary and secondary methods coursework to pre-service vocal & instrumental music teachers (e.g., Elementary Music Methods, General Music Methods, Classroom Behavior & Management in Music Education, etc.), and blended coursework within the School of Education. Secondary duties will be dependent upon the candidate’s strengths and program needs, which could include choral ensemble direction, applied studio teaching, and/or other music classes (e.g., Music Appreciation, American Popular Music, etc.). The successful candidate will be the primary advisor for elementary music education students, will oversee supervision of student teachers, will collaborate with the School of Education on policy matters, coordinate with state education authorities, and serve as a resource to regional public schools.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Teach coursework as described above (12–13-hour load per semester)
2. Serve on committees as assigned
3. Hold seven office hours/week
4. Academic advising
5. Actively recruit students for the music program
6. Supervise elementary/general music practica/student teachers
7. Perform other duties as assigned by the school chair
REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Doctorate in Music Education, or equivalent (ABD considered)
Experience: Public school teaching experience in elementary and general music instruction
Skills: Effective collaboration skills, quality organizational and communication skills, a nurturing pedagogue, and an active and visible recruiter with a focus on student success.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Typical university classroom and office conditions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervise elementary/general music practica and student teachers
EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Laptop computer, software/online course, and information management systems as needed, university instruments
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds.
COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information, visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.
UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 9,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.
Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.
Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.
Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.
Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.
The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.
For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on May 4, 2026
DATE AVAILABLE: August 10, 2026
How to apply
TO APPLY: Follow the steps of the online application process. You will also need to submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references in order for your application materials to be complete. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email [email protected] if more information is needed regarding the process.
INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO:
Dr. Adam Zrust, Search Committee Chair
School of Fine and Performing Arts
Northwest Missouri State University
Phone: (660) 562-1319
email: [email protected]
