Lower School Lead Teacher

Description

Trinity Episcopal School is seeking a Lower School Lead Teacher who is a member of the lower school faculty and reports directly to the Head of Lower School.  As a lead teacher, this person is responsible for all aspects related to the teaching and learning of the classroom and is expected to deliver all subjects of the academic curriculum of the lower school, as well as create and maintain a strong sense of community in the classroom. The lead teacher supports the work of the School by promoting the mission, values, and policies of Trinity Episcopal School.

Primary Responsibilities: The Lower School Lead Teacher’s primary responsibilities include the following:

Facilitate learning for students

• Engage in standards-aligned planning of curricular units of study
• Utilize culturally sustaining curricular resources and practices
• Differentiate content and instruction using student data and assessment for students
• Evaluate student progress toward mastery using multiple standards-based assessment methods 
• Use intentional, research-based instructional methods grounded in Trinity’s educational philosophy (i.e., constructivist learning, workshop model, and problem-based learning)
• Design and utilize relevant digital technology to enhance student learning
• Demonstrate responsiveness, providing support for students within and beyond the school day. 

Demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy for the core subjects of reading, writing, word study, mathematics, science, and social studies.

• Make instruction relevant to students 
• Stay current in the content area with awareness and understanding of trends and research in the profession
• Apply best pedagogical practices across the spectrum of each homeroom subject
• Apply assessment practices grounded in standards 

Know the students they teach

• Celebrate the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of students
• Challenge students to academic excellence while honoring them as individuals with unique potential
• Communicate and partner with parents/guardians regarding academic performance and behavior

Create an inclusive classroom community of respect and scholarly learning

• Attend to students’ emotional development, creating a compassionate community guided by kindness and consideration
• Hold students responsible for their actions through the use of restorative practices
• Model and teach Trinity’s Scholarly Habits
• Establish classroom systems and routines that are conducive to learning and collaboration
• Maintain a physical and/or digital environment that promotes student agency and access to materials and resources

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualities:

• Familiarity with and a commitment to the mission of independent schools and Trinity Episcopal School, and a commitment to our three primary values of scholarship, diversity, and spirituality is a must
• A love for students and a willingness to go above and beyond in the best interests of students
• Integrity, sound judgment, self-confidence, maturity, and a sense of perspective

• A high level of energy and ability to work on multiple tasks/projects

• Ability to model, promote, and provide opportunities for students to live into the Trinity Honor Code

• Demonstrated sensitivity to students, faculty, and staff of varying racial, ethnic, religious, gender, cultural, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Education and Work Experience

• An undergraduate or Master's Degree is required, with a focus on Elementary Education preferred
• Successful experience in teaching elementary students, preferably in a constructivist or inquiry-driven environment
• Knowledge or experience of a workshop approach to reading and writing and a conceptualapproach to mathematics 

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to create and maintain a differentiated environment in content, process, and product to help each child reach his/her fullest potential
• Ability to partner and collaborate with an Instructional Assistant and a grade-level team to successfully plan for the individual needs of students and the grade level as a whole.
• A commitment to our service learning initiative and ability to integrate service learning into the classroom curriculum
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, writing, organizational, and communication skills, including basic technology competencies
• Ability to be a self-starter and initiator, and ability to effectively work independently and be a  contributing team member
• Become involved in the mission and life of the school beyond the primary responsibilities outlined.