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Posted: 10-Dec-24
Location: PIKESVILLE, Maryland
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
THE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING POSITION: KINDERGARTEN
FALL 2025
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world. ~The Park School Mission
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 840 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
The Position
The Park School seeks a full-time Kindergarten homeroom teacher for fall 2025. The new faculty member will partner with a current teacher and assistant teacher in working with a group of 15-20 children.
The Kindergarten program is an integral part of Park’s Lower School, which includes 275 students and 40+ faculty members in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5. Our program includes one Pre-Kindergarten class and two Kindergarten classes. The Kindergarten is located in a separate building, which includes a multipurpose room and an adjacent playground. Each section is staffed by two teachers and an assistant teacher. Special area teachers provide instruction in art, music, physical education, library, science, and Spanish. Lower School Learning Resource Teachers and a Lower School Counselor work with teachers at all grade levels. In coordination with the Admission team, all Kindergarten teachers participate in admission assessments for primary level applicants.
The goal of education in Park’s Kindergarten is the healthy growth of children’s intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and moral powers. To this end, the program involves children in a rich array of learning experiences in an environment that respects children’s individual interests and varying rates of growth. Play — as a means for children to explore and construct an understanding of their world — is at the core of the program. The integrated curriculum includes substantial and varied activities in language
and literacy, mathematics and science, the arts, and physical skills. Support of children’s social and emotional growth, with attention to the major developmental tasks of each age group, is also a priority. Kindergarten faculty members establish close relationships with families, involving them as volunteers in the classroom and, more broadly, as partners in supporting children’s growth. Faculty are also strongly involved in divisional and school-wide diversity initiatives.
Qualifications
Passion for teaching and commitment to the education of Lower School children are essential. Ability to work collaboratively within a grade-level team and to communicate effectively with families are also key qualifications. In addition:
- Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
- Formal training in early childhood or elementary education (M.A., M.Ed., or M.A.T. preferred)
- Strong understanding of child development, including the social, emotional, and intellectual domains
- Ability to work collaboratively with a co-teacher to design student-centered curriculum and meet the needs of diverse learners
- Energy and imagination
- An understanding of how one creates a warm, nurturing, and supportive classroom for young children
- Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate Kindergarten curriculum
- Passion for instilling in children a lifelong love of learning
- Willingness to participate in Primary-Level applicant assessments during the fall/winter admission season
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply
Salary
Park's job requirements differ, with some positions requiring no experience, while others require years of expertise. Our salary range is from $51,500 to $82,500 and is based on factors such as years of experience, qualifications, full-or part-time status, and schedule. If selected for the role, your salary will be determined by your experience and qualifications. Salaries do not include benefits that are described below.
Benefits
Park’s benefits include a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions, and medical, dental, and vision insurance for individuals and families. Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts are also available. Employees receive disability and parental leave, along with paid time off. Other resources include an Employee Assistance Program, a Computer Buying Program, and various wellness initiatives.
Additionally, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
Faculty & Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: A $5.6 million endowed program, established in 1989, supports summer professional development work by faculty. This program provides full salary and benefits for work on group or individual
projects. Approximately 40% of Park faculty participate in FACA projects each summer. Projects are selected through a formal, competitive review process.
Tuition Remission: Under current policy, employees who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. (Faculty children must meet the same standards for admission as all other applicants.) During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for financial assistance through Park’s need-based tuition assistance program.
Application Process
Interested candidates are asked to send a letter of interest, personal statement, résumé, and completed employment application (found here) via email or US mail. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.
Contact
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School of Baltimore
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.