Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher

Description

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.

Qualities Wanted:
– Background in the tenets of progressive education
– Training in Responsive Classroom
– Master’s degree
– Teaching licensure

Work Schedule

In-person elementary school teaching on school days from 8am-3:30pm, M-F.

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