Posted: 27-Jan-26
Location: New York, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $60,000, annually
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: 2030
At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that each child possesses unique gifts. Our job is to unearth those gifts, nurture them, and empower each child of the Sacred Heart to share those gifts with the global community. Convent of the Sacred Heart is committed to building a community that is anti-racist, anti-bias, fair, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone and seeks candidates who connect to our Mission and Goals.
Lower School Associate Teacher
Full-Time
Beginning Late August, 2026
Position: Lower School Associate Teacher
Reports to: Head of Lower School
FLSA: Exempt - full-time
Salary Range: $60,000, annually
Start Date: Late August 2026
The Lower School Associate Teacher Program is a two-year teacher-training program in one grade level designed for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree who are pursuing a career in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. Associate Teachers have the option to apply for a third year in a different grade level, and based on that application may have the opportunity to interview with teachers seeking an Associate Teacher at that time.
In addition to the responsibilities listed below, Associate Teachers also participate in the CSH Mentoring Program in which they regularly meet with the Co-Directors of the Mentoring Program and the Associate Teacher cohort. The vision of the program is for Associate Teachers to collaborate with their Head Teachers, so together they can create a space where every child can achieve her greatest potential, and Associate Teachers can further develop their teaching practice. Associate Teachers, Head Teachers, and the Co-Directors work together to set professional goals at the beginning of the year. Through teaching observations, feedback conversations, and ongoing coaching, Associate Teachers work towards their goals. In their second (and potential third) year, Associate Teachers may be given more classroom responsibility at the discretion of the Head Teacher. Associate Teachers may also develop and teach a complete unit in math, reading, writing, or social studies to be evaluated by the Head Teacher and the Co-Directors of the Mentoring Program. Through this program, Associate Teachers may gain the skills, experience, and confidence necessary to succeed in the next step of their teaching career.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, as well as enrolled in or planning to apply for a master’s degree program in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or an education-related field
- Experience working with children, ideally elementary school age
- Solid understanding of child development, including cognitive, social, and emotional development
- Knowledge of, appreciation for, and demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, anti-bias education, multicultural teaching, and culturally responsive pedagogy
- Effective and professional oral communication skills in meetings, on the phone, and on virtual platforms
- Effective and professional written communication skills when writing reports, emails, and newsletters
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
- Detail-oriented with systems for personal organization and time management
- Experience in teaching with technology, especially Google Workspace and interactive displays preferred
- Ability and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances (comfortability with occasionally supporting in coverage across grade levels)
- Experience with Singapore Math, Fundations, and Fountas & Pinnell preferred
Responsibilities:
- Maintain congruence between the school and the mission as articulated in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria
- Nurture a warm and inviting classroom community that promotes a positive and productive learning environment in which each student feels a sense of belonging
- Assist the Head Teacher by participating in all aspects of classroom life, including but not limited to classroom management, curriculum design, planning meetings, special events, lesson and project preparation and instruction, and family communication
- Differentiate instruction to support group and individual learning, and provide additional support and enrichment to students in small groups and one-to-one as needed
- Select and utilize texts, posters, resources, and language that represent a wide range of identities in daily lessons and commit to addressing social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-racist, anti-bias education in the curriculum through lessons, actions, and discussions
- Support Head Teachers in preparing for and conducting parent conferences and reviewing progress reports, as well as reporting on the growth, learning style, and behavior of the students
- Identify and respond to each individual student’s academic and social-emotional needs in collaboration with the Head Teacher and the Support Services Team, and support in monitoring student progress to determine the effectiveness of interventions
- Collaborate with grade-level team members, learning specialists, specialty teachers, and administrators by meeting regularly, sharing resources, and maintaining clear communication in order to support students and to enhance the curriculum, update curriculum maps, and plan and integrate thematic units of study across the curriculum
- Perform with care all assigned, ongoing responsibilities (morning duty, roof duty, lunch duty, dismissal, late duty, bus duty dismissal, escorting students to and from specialty classes, etc.)
- Attend and participate actively in grade-level, division, and whole-school faculty meetings
- Assume the role of Head Teacher if the Head Teacher is absent for any reason
- Attend in-house professional development
It is the policy of Sacred Heart to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. This means that all employees and applicants will be treated on an equal basis without regard to race, religion, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, national and ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital and partnership status, citizenship status, caregiver status, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, height or weight, predisposing genetic characteristics, criminal history, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local law (collectively referred to herein as “Protected Classifications”).
In addition to the Protected Classifications set forth in this EEO Policy, the School also prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on being a certified medical marijuana patient, pre-employment marijuana testing, unemployment status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, arrest or conviction, or domestic violence victim status in accordance with state law.
This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, training, faculty development, transfers, promotion, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, employee facilities, termination, and retirement.