What are the responsibilities and job description for the Leave Replacement 2nd Grade Teacher (late April - December 2025) position at Shady Hill School?
About Shady Hill School:
Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK - Grade 8) and 90 faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.
A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Gradeheads (classroom teachers) are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in social studies/history, language arts, and mathematics, working closely with the performing arts and visual arts faculty to integrate these disciplines.
About the position:
Shady Hill School is looking for an experienced Leave Replacement 2nd Grade Teacher (Gradehead) to cover a leave of absence from April 28, 2025 - December 19, 2025. At Shady Hill, Lower School Gradeheads are responsible for language arts/literature, social studies/history, and mathematics instruction for their classroom. In 2nd Grade, each classroom has one Gradehead and 15 students. Gradeheads are supported by a grade level Reading Specialist, and Department Teachers who are responsible for instruction in Library, Movement, Science, Music and Art. This is a full-time, in-person position. Based on the duration of the assignment, this position will be eligible for benefits including paid summer break (6/26/25 - 8/15/25) and insurance benefits.
Specific Gradehead Responsibilities:
- Teach the year-long, grade level assigned Thematic Study / Central Subject which integrates instruction in language and literature, mathematics, science, music and art
- Beginners: Topics of Interest
- Kindergarten: All About Us
- Grade 1: Community
- Grade 2: The Charles River
- Grade 3: Whales and Whaling
- Grade 4: Ancient Greece
- Teach mathematics using the Illustrative Math curriculum with a focus on building student understanding
- Work closely and collaboratively with grade level team and department teachers
- Manage all classroom responsibilities, including implementing curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, utilizing a variety of approaches to teaching and assessing students
- Communicate regularly about student progress by writing reports, holding conferences with parents/guardians and meeting with other faculty and administrators to support the needs of individuals
- Monitor the social and emotional wellbeing, and academic achievement of students Serve as a full community member by attending weekly faculty meetings and performing weekly recess and dismissal duties, as well as volunteering for coverage duties when needed
