Career Center
Boston, Massachusetts
Posted: 04-May-23
Location: California
Type: Full Time
Salary: pay range: $55,000 - $82,000
Required Education:
Our School
Westerly School is an independent, non-sectarian Kindergarten through 8th grade school focused on whole child education. Through inquiry-based pedagogy and practices, Westerly School strives to recognize and meet the needs of every individual student to ignite within each child a lifelong love of learning as they discover their full and unique potential. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents who wanted to provide an alternative to the Long Beach Unified School District education, Westerly remains the only independent school in Long Beach. Westerly currently enrolls 180 students.
Position Description
Westerly School is seeking an experienced Kindergarten Lead Teacher for the 2023-24 school year to lead a class of approximately twenty-two students. In collaboration with a full-time Teaching Associate, the Kindergarten Teacher is responsible for inspiring and engaging young learners, differentiating instruction and supporting student academic and social-emotional development and growth. Successful candidates must have a strong understanding of child development, value collaboration and communication with parents/guardians, and demonstrate commitment to best inquiry-based learning practices including project-based learning, Reader’s & Writer’s Workshop models, integrated thematic unit planning, and utilization of essential questions.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities for the Kindergarten Lead Teacher position include teaching core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies), communicating and collaborating effectively and frequently with families and colleagues, and partnering effectively with all stakeholders in the school community to enhance the students’ learning experience and promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Additional Responsibilities include:
- Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-bias/anti-racism through incorporation of diverse attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and curriculum
- Motivate, nurture, and challenge Kindergarten students
- Plan, document, and deliver engaging standards-based Kindergarten curriculum through inquiry-based pedagogy
- Integrate culturally responsive pedagogy and practices into teaching and learning
- Create a classroom environment that promotes an exemplary learning community: enriched by differences and informed through inquiry
- Promote and exemplify Westerly’s core values: kindness, adaptability, honesty, responsibility, and respect
- Plan, document, and teach engaging curriculum in line with the Westerly school curricular standards and manage the overall educational program of Kindergarten Including mathematics, language arts/reading, science, social studies, and social emotional learning
- Organize, plan and chaperone a minimum of one class field study
- Motivate and nurture the academic, personal, emotional, and social progress of students
- Incorporate multiple teaching strategies to meet grade level standards and skills with inquiry and project-based pedagogy at the forefront of teaching practices
- Use technology purposefully in the classroom to enhance learning and provide feedback to students and parents
- Co-facilitate RULER social-emotional learning program implementation, activities, and lessons
- Use a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional and assessment methods to meet the needs of all learners and provide varied forms of feedback on learning
- Fulfill regular administrative tasks including timely completion and correction of attendance, timely grade reporting and completion of progress and report cards including thoughtful and individualized narrative comments
- Communicate regularly and frequently with families regarding student learning and class plans, i.e., weekly newsletter/week at a glance, emails, websites, etc.
- Communicate, collaborate, and work effectively with a Teaching Associate and K-2nd grade colleagues
- Support Teaching Associate’s pedagogical growth and skill development through mentorship and constructive feedback
- Actively participate in professional growth opportunities
- Engage the students in hands-on experiential learning in core areas of teaching: math, language arts, science labs, social studies, and DEIJB (Learning for Justice Standards)
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts degree
- CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or MA in Education or Similar Field
- 3+ years of teaching experience
- Professional, enthusiastic, and collaborative demeanor
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Proficiency in the use of and integration of educational technology
Job Information
Job Type: Full-time
Compensation package:
Pay range - $55,000 - $82,000 annual salary commensurate with skills and experience
Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance; Flexible Spending Account; 403(b) retirement plan, vacation and paid sick leave
Westerly School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, a medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.
Applicants, please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least 3 written letters of recommendation to:
Toni DiNapoli, Director of Finance, at tdinapoli@westerlyschool.org with "Kindergarten Teacher - (your name)" written in the subject line.
