Lower School (1st Grade) Faculty

Spartanburg Day School is currently seeking a Lower School Faculty member (1st Grade) for the 2025-2026 school year. Spartanburg Day School is a nationally recognized, nonsectarian school, enrolling students aged 2 to Grade 12. Spartanburg Day School offers a vast array of academic and co-curricular options in a charming college town that is growing in the attractive South Carolina Upstate. Spartanburg Day School opened its doors in 1957 as the first independent school in Upstate South Carolina. More than 65 years later, our unique community provides approximately 580 students in grades 2K -12 with an unparalleled educational experience. Here, students are known, feel safe to take risks, own their learning and achieve their personal best.

The Lower School teacher has the unique challenge of developing skills in reading, writing, and math in an individualized or small group setting. At Spartanburg Day School, we incorporate academic rigor and a whole child approach to develop student agency and ownership over their learning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver a wide variety of lessons and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Nurture and promote a culture of learning by maintaining positive, stimulating learning environments where students are actively and collaboratively engaged in learning.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment.
• Engage in a Responsive Classroom approach that involves engaging academics, a positive community environment, effective classroom management, and developmentally responsive teaching.
• Use relevant and developmentally appropriate technology to support and differentiate instruction.
• Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school.
• Provide appropriate feedback on student work and communicate feedback regularly.
• Monitor the progress of individual students, use formative assessments to adjust teaching strategies based on the unique needs of each student, and give constructive feedback on their progress.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of student progress and development.
• Update all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws and school policy.
• Consistently participate in division, school, and parent meetings.
• Actively participate in professional development and set high personal and professional expectations in learning and teaching.
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues and parents regarding student progress, student needs, curriculum, and student celebrations.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.
• Plan, create, and grade class work, homework, formative assessments, and assignments.
• Participate and contribute to professional meetings, collaborative planning, and community activities.

Education:

• B.A./B.S. degree in teaching from an accredited institution or related field, required
• Master’s Degree in education from an accredited institution in Education, preferred
• State teaching license, preferred

Experience:

• Previous teaching experience with elementary aged children, preferred
• Thorough understanding of pedagogy and the best practices in education.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage and control the classroom.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, complete and application and resume to careers@sdsgriffiin.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person