Spanish Specialist Teacher

Beginning the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Exempt 1.0 FTE
Reports to: Division Head

All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.

Overview

University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.

Job Summary 

Specialists work in their subject areas with all the students. There are currently specialists in Art, Library, Music, Physical Education, Science, Design & Tech, and Spanish. Specialists work in close coordination with classroom teachers to connect their curriculum to what is being taught in the classrooms and to meet the individual needs of students. Specialists meet once a week with faculty for staffing sessions to talk about the progress of students; they also meet as a Specialist group once a week to coordinate and plan their curricula. 

Each teacher at UCDS works as a member of a team to design curriculum, instruct students, individualize learning, and support school-wide events and programs. In the spirit of innovation, faculty share teaching methods, materials, and assessment techniques within and beyond our school community. The process of building, implementing, evaluating, and revising programs is at the core of UCDS and is required of every faculty member. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Art of Teaching: 

• Creates and implements hands-on Spanish curricula which is appropriate to the grade and developmental level of the students.
• Employ effective and differentiated teaching strategies to meet the needs of a diverse range of students. 
• Creates and sustains classroom culture based on the mission and values of the school
• Provides a variety of learning opportunities, methods, and materials, with a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences for the students.
• Show an appreciation for the craft of teaching 
• Ability to switch between grade levels quickly and effectively, this position requires organization, planning, and collaboration. 
• Create daily lesson plans that are engaging, educational, hands-on, and exciting for the students 
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and inspires students to participate fully in the learning process
• Practices thoughtful, respectful, and successful classroom management techniques that support active learning and promote responsibility and self-management 
• Advises and works with students, parents/guardians, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs 

Community: 

• Provides and maintains a dynamic and safe environment 
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff, and parents/guardians to maintain constructive and professional relationships 
• Builds partnerships with parents/guardians through clear written and verbal communication in formal and informal meetings as well as documentation
• Attends school-related events and meetings outside the scheduled school day, i.e. after-school planning, committee meetings, overnight trips, and community events
• Collaborates and works effectively in teams with colleagues 
• Employs strong interpersonal skills, including being patient and positive 

Reflective Practice: 

• Participates in annual goal setting and receives regular feedback, facilitated by the Division Head, Assistant Head of School, and Head of School 
• Participates in professional learning opportunities at UCDS, the UCDS Institute, and in the larger community 
• Actively completes other duties as assigned 

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “apply now” button to submit a resume and cover letter.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.

We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team. If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Dr. Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel, at laurynm@ucds.org. 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. UCDS is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.

All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.