Description

 We are seeking a kindergarten head teacher for the 2024-2025 school year in our Hoboken Campus. This is a 10-month, full-time assignment starting in August 2024 and ending June 2025. The contract duration is from August 16, 2024 through August 15, 2025. Standard work hours, benefits, and paid time off as per the Faculty/Staff Handbook. 

Reports to: Early Childhood Director

The Candidate

You are an experienced teacher with a successful track record teaching early elementary students. You bring creativity, excellent relationship skills, and a collaborative approach to your craft. You are passionate about fostering a strong culture of student engagement in learning, in close alignment with our mission. You model a spirit of collaboration and inquiry to inspire students to “explore, question and communicate in ways that will shape the future.” 

You are culturally competent with effective organizational and classroom management skills. You have strong verbal and written communication skills and can develop interpersonal relationships with faculty, parents, and students. You are professional and energetic, you have a positive attitude, and are a self-starter. You work collaboratively with others in a small community and can instill confidence in the program with parents as required. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Create developmentally, grade appropriate and engaging lesson plans which utilize given curricula (Fundations, Readers and Writers Workshop, Singapore Math), combined with project based and experiential learning;
• Plan and teach the language arts, math, science, and social studies scope and sequence with a focus on purpose and relevance;
• Provide a secure environment to learn, care for and support the development needs of each child - using differentiation to assist the development of a child’s personal, social and language abilities, speech and communication, literacy, mathematical and creative development;
• Motivate and stimulate children's learning abilities through a range of exploratory and inquiry-based experiences;
• Cultivate and maintain an inclusive classroom culture that values all voices and appreciates various perspectives;
• Consistently differentiate for individual students based on their unique learning needs: through observation, assessment, and investing in relationships with the whole child, determine most effective learning strategies and delivery of instruction;
• Teach with a commitment to social justice;
• Provide students with opportunities and support in the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills, the exploration of ideas, and the development of leadership qualities;
• Teach using technology proficiently (Google Suite and use of Smart Panels and Chromebooks) in developmentally appropriate ways;
• Assess and maintain written records of individual student development, which includes competency checklist, narrative comments on reports and leading parent conferences;
• Provide continuous student assessments throughout the year; if and when supports need to be implemented for students who need scaffolding or students who need a higher level of challenge;
• Work collaboratively and creatively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds on pedagogical approaches, curricular alignment and instructional strategies with flexibility and resourcefulness;
• Interact effectively and sensitively with a diverse population of students, faculty and parent/caregiver body;
• Communicate with a focus on timely communications with families, including biweekly Class News;
• Attend and participate in weekly curriculum planning meetings; and
• Participate in committee work, faculty meetings, parent coffees and additional duties as assigned.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required, Master’s preferred
• At least 3 years of head teacher experience
• Knowledge and understanding of child development in the early years (6 - 8 years age band);
• Strong background in math, reading, and writing instruction; ability to teach developmentally appropriate diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts, as well as social emotional learning at the elementary level;
• Passion for teaching and a love for elementary children;
• Knowledgeable about best practices in lower elementary grades;
• Knowledgeable of subject matter made visible by effective teaching;
• Experience and an interest in differentiated instruction and a project-based, constructivist approach to teaching and learning;
• Understanding and experience in assessment and data driven instruction;
• Highly developed writing and organizational skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong foundation knowledge in child development
• Excellent classroom management and restorative justices practices;
• Passion for personal and professional growth; and
• Undergraduate degree required and completed masters degree preferred. A teaching certificate or credential or equivalent professional experience which would translate to successful classroom teaching.

Requirements

•  Arrival by 8:15am
• Attend a selection of weekly faculty meetings, Back to School Night, and formal Family-Teacher Conferences (in fall and spring)
• Attend start of year and closing faculty meetings 
• Attend grade-related field trips (including overnight trips if applicable) and certain evening events

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings account match program, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance as well as reimbursements for cell-phone use and for an on-street parking permit in Hoboken.

Stevens Cooperative School

Stevens Cooperative School fosters curiosity, compassion and confidence in students who think deeply, act ethically and lead by example. 

Stevens Cooperative School is the only nonsectarian independent school with campuses in Hoboken and Jersey City. Founded in 1949, Stevens is the oldest parent cooperative school in New Jersey, and an excellent model of progressive education in action. Stevens serves 430 students from PreK 3 through 8th grade, of which 46% are ethnic minorities. Stevens is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and staff body and is eager to consider applications from traditionally underrepresented groups. We are committed to ongoing curricular and pedagogical anti-racist work, and we seek a candidate who shares that commitment and who can contribute to our efforts. We search out opportunities for professional growth and encourage reflection on our own practices.

Stevens does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, religion, or national origin in the administration of its hiring and admission policies, financial aid program, or other school-administered programs.