K/1 Faculty - Jackson Campus (2025.26 School Year)

Position Purpose:

Faculty members at Mountain Academy collaborate with other faculty and staff to implement transformative place-based curriculum. Mountain Academy aims to educate the whole child by integrating academic engagement and character development with a community focus. A TSS faculty member develops and facilitates place-based, emergent curricula and assessments that align with the mission of Teton Science Schools. Faculty take an active role in the Teton Science Schools community, promoting the school and developing community partnerships.

Qualifications:

• Strong speaking and written communication skills
• At least 5 years of experience in a lower elementary school environment
• At least 2 years of experience with place-based education or experiential learning with lower-elementary-aged children
• Master's degree preferred
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products and Google Apps
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external constituents
• Ability to manage risk and make leadership decisions in front and backcountry settings

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily indoors in a classroom setting
• Stretches of time outdoors in all weather, including extreme temperatures and arid conditions
• Able to drive a 15 passenger vans & minibuses with participants
• Able to write / type / communicate
• Able to sit/stand for up to 8 hours
• May be expected to work evenings, weekends or overtime to support special programs/events
• May require occasional overnight travel by car / bus / van / airplane

Responsibilities:

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Teach classes according to identified curricular area(s)
• Plan curriculum congruent with MA guidelines
• Document curriculum and assessment using current Learning Management System (LMS)
• Create authentic, competency-based assessments and track student progress
• Write quarterly student progress reports
• Create student portfolios each year
• Administer school-wide learning metrics
• Develop curriculum for innovative programming that maximizes opportunities for students
• Plan and safely execute multiple age-appropriate "journeys"
• Establish rapport with students and create a respectful, inclusive, and productive classroom environment
• Maintain regular and active communication between parents, students, staff, and administration
• Create biweekly classroom newsletter or updates for parents
• Lead parent teacher conferences
• Work collaboratively within division to support/implement all aspects of program

Team

• Attend required school & community events
• Complete duties: hands to work, supervise students during unstructured free play, lunch, bus, and general community support
• Provide internal coverage if substitutes are not available
• Take part in all Mountain Academy and team faculty meetings
• Take part in pre-service and in-service professional development, including professional learning communities
• Align with team culture and goals
• Support administrative duties associated with successful implementation of program

One TSS Responsibilities

• Further development of practice and implementation of place based education pedagogies
• Take part in various greater TSS programs - PBE symposium, engagement sessions, etc.
• Contribute to inclusive work and learning environments through continually developing cultural competency. Cultural Competence is one’s ability to interact effectively across various dimensions of diversity. It lies at the intersection of awareness of others, self-awareness, and applying skills & knowledge to promote inclusion and equity.

This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their manager in compliance with federal and state laws.