Details
Posted: 20-Jul-22
Location: Boise, Idaho
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education: 4 Year Degree
School Description
Located in downtown Boise, Idaho, Foothills School of Arts & Sciences is a Pre-K through Grade 9 independent day school. Since its founding in 1992, Foothills has been committed to providing a progressive learning environment that suits the developmental learning needs of children and adolescents. A project-based program integrated with visual and performing arts helps students develop independent perspectives, academic competencies, social-emotional skills, and a sense of civic responsibility. Annual trips take advantage of Boise’s location in the Intermountain West. Foothills places a high value on maintaining a collegial and collaborative atmosphere among faculty members. There is an expectation of continuous growth and improvement for all faculty and support for professional development inside and outside the school.
1st and 2nd Grade Co-Lead Teacher
Foothills School of Arts and Sciences seeks a collaborative and experienced educator as full-time co-lead teacher in the 1st and 2nd grade combined class (known as the 1-2s Dyad) to begin August 2022. Candidates should have experience teaching at the elementary school level and have knowledge of child development. The school seeks a professional who can promote confidence and growth in students, help establish a structured and positive classroom experience, and who exemplifies responsible and professional conduct. The 1-2s co-lead teacher is responsible for helping students develop math, literacy, and social-emotional skills as well as leading several arts-integrated, project-based units each year. The school seeks candidates who are dedicated to working with elementary-aged students and who work well in a collaborative professional setting. Other duties include communication with parents, narrative student evaluations, urban outdoor supervision, and participation in planning meetings with the other 1-2s co-lead teacher and other teachers. The 1-2s teachers plan and lead an annual overnight spring trip.
Specific responsibilities
- Collaborate on curriculum and programming on an ongoing basis
- Design and implement project-based curriculum in collaboration with 1-2s Dyad co-lead teacher and arts teachers
- Lead instruction in math, literacy, and social-emotional learning
- Assess, document, and communicate student growth
- Prepare periodic written narrative and portfolio evaluations
- Communicate regularly, formally and informally, with families and colleagues about student growth and performance
- Supervise snack and lunch in the classroom on a daily basis
- Conduct daily recess and periodic field trips and “Lunch Out” in the neighborhood surrounding our downtown school
- Ensure safety of students in accordance with school policies
- Participate in faculty meetings on a weekly basis, committee work as needed
- Participate in professional development activities, including faculty in-service and curriculum planning days
- Attend all contracted school functions
- Plan and lead an annual overnight spring trip
Desired Qualifications and Skills - 1-2s Co-Lead Teacher
- Bachelor’s degree in elementary education or related field
- Minimum of two years classroom teaching experience with elementary school children
- Experience designing integrated/inquiry-based curriculum
- Creative in instructional and classroom management strategies
- Must have a positive image of children and families and a desire to work collaboratively with them
- Demonstrated ability to design curriculum to plan for and respond to a wide range of learning needs
- Proficient in the use of technology
General Qualifications and Skills
- Commitment to Foothills School’s mission, vision, program pillars, and values
- A passion and joy for working with children; flexibility; patience and enthusiasm for learning
- A commitment to student-centered learning
- Cultural competence, the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- Cooperative, collaborative, supportive, flexible
- Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
Personal Qualities
- Commitment to professionalism and excellence
- Seeks feedback as part of a commitment to continuous growth and improvement
- Socially conscious, wants to make a difference in the world
- Sense of humor, engaging, optimistic
- Accessible and approachable
Foothills School of Arts and Sciences is an equal opportunity employer.
Non-discrimination Policy: Foothills School of Arts and Sciences does not discriminate on a basis of age, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other classifications protected by law, in all of its operations.
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and resume to:
Mary Dobroth
mdobroth@foothillsschool.org
Foothills School of Arts and Sciences
Vision - To provide a transformative progressive education.
Mission - At Foothills School of Arts and Sciences, we ignite a passion for learning through a progressive approach to education. In this vibrant learning community, education is an active and collaborative experience. Through a challenging inquiry based curriculum, Foothills students explore their ideas and develop curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and confidence. Embracing each individual's unique strengths and contributions, we guide children to know themselves and to understand their role in a global community.
Foothills Programmatic Pillars
The Pillars, and programs associated with them, support the implementation of our vision and mission. They describe defining features of our program and will serve as a guide when developing new programming.
Curiosity and Critical Thinking - We foster curiosity and invite inquiry by providing space for students to pose questions and follow their interests. We believe the experiential and hands-on nature of project based learning is the best way to nurture a love of learning, prepare for future challenges, and develop meaningful and relevant connections among subjects.
Personalized and Student-Centered Learning - We know our students as individuals, support their unique paths, and personalize their education so they develop into their best selves. We believe that fostering deep, safe connections between students and teachers encourages authentic self-expression, increased engagement, and better learning outcomes.
Community and Citizenship - We cultivate empathy, compassion, and advocacy by weaving social and emotional learning and mindfulness into our curriculum and daily interactions. We encourage students to take initiative as caring citizens of both our school community and the larger global community.
The Arts and Sciences - We believe the study of the arts and sciences is essential to understanding the world we live in and our place within it. Through our math, science, visual and performing arts, literacy, Spanish, and humanities programs, we integrate all four pillars to provide a comprehensive and challenging academic program.
Values
To empower our students, we value:
- Individuality - respecting students' unique strengths, talents and challenges
- Creativity - inspiring expression, curiosity and critical thinking
- Community - promoting communication, cooperation and collaboration
Diversity Statement
Foothills School believes that a diverse school community is essential to education and that such a community includes a spectrum of differences in race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, and learning style. To this end, Foothills' admissions and hiring practices strive to recruit, enroll/hire, and retain as diverse a population as is feasible in the community.
Foothills School believes that each student, parent, staff member and visitor is entitled to an equitable and safe environment, which promotes acceptance and appreciation of oneself as well as others. The school creates an environment where individuals feel included, respected, and able to express their opinions while at the same time learning from others' perspectives. In addition, we believe that a diverse environment develops in students the skills and attitudes they need to understand each other and to act with justice and compassion - skills that will prepare our students for our diverse world.
