Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher 26-27 SY

Description

Free Union Country School is in Albemarle County, VA, just minutes from Charlottesville. We are a community that values learning for children and adults, that respects individuals, that views diversity as a strength, and that sees teamwork as essential. It is our job to create an environment that supports intellectual curiosity, creativity, self-confidence, kindness, and respect. To this end, we use experiential, inquiry-based, and collaborative methods of teaching with attention given to academic and social development.

Job Duties

Job Description:

● Work in close collaboration with other teachers to design and deliver an integrated fourth and fifth-grade learning experience.

● Partner with specialists and support staff to ensure alignment of instruction, student support, and community expectations.

● Develop and implement a robust language arts curriculum, including reading, word study, and writing.

● Write the language arts sections of student progress reports twice per year, documenting growth through narrative, observation, and qualitative assessment.

● Conduct family conferences two times per year, sharing insights on student development, goals, and strategies to support continued learning.

● Connect the social studies curriculum with meaningful language arts projects, ensuring students see the relevance and relationships among disciplines.

● Use the school’s natural environment and community resources to enrich instruction and foster “unbounded thinking.”

● Build a classroom climate grounded in respect, responsibility, and joy, where students feel known, supported, and challenged.

● Differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of learners, including extensions, scaffolds, and varied pathways to demonstrate understanding.

● Contribute to the wider school community through participation in events, celebrations, and ongoing initiatives.

Skills Required

Qualities needed:

● Classroom teaching experience: Demonstrated experience working with elementary-age students, with an understanding of how children learn, grow, and thrive.

● A genuine love of teaching and learning: An enthusiasm for working with children and a personal commitment to lifelong learning, curiosity, and professional growth.

● Ability to inspire children: Skill in creating engaging, joyful learning experiences that spark interest, confidence, and creativity in every student. Child-centered teaching philosophy: Evidence of teaching that responds to the developmental needs, interests, and identities of students

● Collaborative and independent work style: Comfort working closely with teaching partners while also being able to take initiative, lead projects, and manage responsibilities independently.

● Experience with curriculum development: Ability to design and adapt a curriculum that is responsive, interdisciplinary, and flexible enough to meet individual learning needs.

● Understanding of positive discipline: Skill in fostering a supportive, respectful classroom environment that promotes problem-solving, emotional regulation, and student agency.

● Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with students, families, and colleagues, both verbally and in writing.

● Educational background: Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree or additional training in child development, or related fields is preferred.

Wanted:

● Background in the tenets of progressive education

● Training in Responsive Classroom

● Master’s degree

● Teaching licensure

Work Schedule

Free Union Country School is located at 4220 Free Union Rd. Teachers are expected to be in attendance on days the school is open from 8am-3:30pm and other School-related function times.

Additional Info

How to apply: Please submit the following materials to laura.s@freeunioncountryschool.org : ● Letter of application addressed to Laura Swindler, Director of Teaching and Learning ● Resume or CV ● Brief statement of educational philosophy ● Contact information for three professional references