Lower School Teacher

Position: Lower School Teacher
Location: St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church, York, PA
Schedule: Full Time (contracted one year July-June)
Reports To: Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2025 – or date otherwise agreed upon

About St. John Chrysostom School

We are a parish school of St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church in York, Pennsylvania. Our school mission is to raise up children in the Life of the Orthodox Christian Faith, cultivating prayer, virtue, and wisdom through the art of classical instruction in a community of worship.

The 2025-2026 school year will be our inaugural year of operation. Our children desire a teacher who will nurture them and lead them with his or her joy and love of learning. Our parents are looking for someone who will inspire confidence and will know and love their children. Our school leadership is seeking an experienced educator who is passionate about classical education and motivated to help us build the academic program. Our visionary teacher will play a key role in laying the foundation that our school will be built upon.

SJCS Model of Education

SJCS is a classical school where students’ course of study will include the liberal arts, sacred arts, and common arts, focusing upon the mastery of the arts of language and number, worship and prayer, the lives of the Saints, and the teachings of Christ. (The common arts refer to the practical provision of human needs using real tools in real contexts.) The weekly schedule will include four days of classroom instruction and one day dedicated to liturgy, catechism, choir, and the common arts.

Character

• Loves children and enjoys spending time with them; maintains a hopeful view of all children, seeing their full personhood, dignity in Christ, and God-given potential
• Embodies and displays a faithful, genuine, and reverent adherence to Orthodox doctrine and teachings
• Displays and actively seeks to acquire the virtues (in particular, the theological, cardinal, and intellectual virtues)
• Practices humility and self-reflection; demonstrates a willingness to seek forgiveness and reconcile with others

Habits

• Regularly participates in the services of the Church
• Attends to Holy Scripture and cherishes the lives of the Saints
• Reads good books and seeks to cultivate good taste in music, art, poetry, and literature
• Spends time in nature; enjoys being outdoors and learning about the flora and fauna of Pennsylvania
• Practices hospitality

Essential Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Consistently demonstrates the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion
• Proficient (or willingness to be trained) with word processing, email, and other education-related software, including school management software

School & Classroom Responsibilities

• Promotes and cultivates St. John Chrysostom School’s mission, vision, and purpose; embracing and advancing a love of learning within the community
• Winsomely articulates an Orthodox Christian worldview to students and parents
• Possesses a deep commitment to and passion for classical Christian education
• Fosters an orderly, joyful, and authentic atmosphere in the classroom
• Demonstrate an ability to manage a classroom of different dispositions, learning needs and styles; as well as a willingness to work in and learn to become more effective in mixed age classrooms (with provided support)
• Helps students cultivate good academic habits and supports students in conflict resolution; upholds SJCS polices and code of conduct, including rules for behavior and the discipline policy for students in the classroom
• Prepares lessons, units, projects, and assessments to meet learning objectives in conjunction with the selected curriculum
• Maintains attendance and academic records; communicates regularly with parents, including parent teacher conferences (twice per year)
• Works with students one-on-one when they need extra help or attention
• Ensures active student participation in SJCS weekly schedule of academic, spiritual, and common arts activities
• Demonstrates flexibility and work with the Head of School to cover other duties and needs as requested
• Supports extra-curricular activities and partnerships as requested
• Supports the maintenance and storage of school supplies, materials, books

Daily Responsibilities

• Full teaching load
• Addresses and resolves student concerns, communicates with parents as needed
• Oversees and manages student drop off and pick up
• Attends or leads daily prayer; attends, records attendance, and manages student behavior during weekly Liturgy
• Assists with supervising, supporting or coordinating common arts instruction
• Fills in other teaching gaps as needed

Requirements

• Chrismated Orthodox Christian, in good standing with the Church
• Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science
• Masters in relevant content area or education-related field preferred, though not required
• Classical education degree, certificate, or training a plus, though not required
• Preferred minimum of 1-3 years teaching experience in classical or private schools

Annual Salary

$40,000-$50,000 depending on experience, plus benefits:

• Healthcare stipend
• Paid holidays and vacation days
• Paid sick time
• Professional development
• Other benefits negotiable

Application

Please submit your resume or CV, cover letter, a list of three professional references, and a short statement of your educational philosophy to Leslie Atherholt at schoolinfo@orthodoxyork.org

If contacted for an interview, please be prepared to provide contact information for your current parish priest (with his permission and blessing) for a personal reference.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• The job description states that we are looking for an Orthodox Christian for our Antiochian Orthodox Christian parish school. Do you match this description?

*This is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) and protected under the religious organization exemptions from the federal EEOC.

Ability to Commute:

• York, PA 17406 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• York, PA 17406: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000